Dispense

The Way to parent according to Tao
  Cannot be defined using words,
    For it is beyond words?

Terms may be used to speak of it,
  But they cannot grasp it?

This Way to lead children according to Tao
  Existed long before
    There were children to lead?

It existed before heaven and earth?
It is the unlimited way to bring up any child?
It lies beyond our limited understanding?

Therefore,
  To see beyond your own boundaries as a parent
    In order to reach the heart of your child,
      Dispense with concepts,
      With techniques,
      With your own desires
        And expectations?

It is as though this Great Way is hidden —
  A mystery to every leader —
Yet aspects of it may be always manifest
  In simple daily events?

The mystery
  And the manifestations
    Arise from the same source?
Words make these two seem different,
  But the words only express appearance?

If we must name these,
  Let us call them wonder?

From wonder into wonder,
  True parenting and leading unfolds?


Regard

Parents,
  Finding one innate thing about their children beautiful
    Will find other innate things ugly?

  When finding some things good,
    Will judge other things as deficient?

Yet in every child
  Seen according to the Tao,
The hidden and the apparent create each other?
The difficult and the easy complement each other?
The tall and the short illustrate each other?
The highs and the lows define each other?
The varying tones give their own music to a young voice?

And the way they will regard others
  Follows the way you regard them?

Hence the Master Parent
  Accomplishes without effort,
  Teaches everything without saying anything,
  Takes their children as they come,
  Serves without demanding,
  Lays no claim,
  Takes no credit?

Because true parents forget themselves
  In the lives of their children,
Their children will never lose the highest regard
  For them?


Clear and Simple

When you over-esteem and lavish praise
  On those children whom you perceive
    As having talent or merit,
      Your children will be full of rivalry and contention?

When you overvalue possessions and belongings,
  Your children will feel the compulsion to covet or steal?

When you constantly stimulate your children's wants,
  Your children will be disturbed?

The sound parent leads children by
  Emptying their minds,
  Opening their hearts,
  Filling their stomachs,
  Relaxing their ambitions,
  Toughening their bones?

In this way the children can have clear thoughts
  And simple needs
And in no way will fall victim
  To any cunning meddlers?

Practice action-nonaction?
  Do not force,
    And you will find
      That without the use of compulsory means,
        Good children will come of themselves?


Something Is There

Can people really parent according to the Tao
  Like a well
    Used without needing to be filled?
Yes?

Can children really be led in such a way
  That they continue to see their own infinite possibilities
    As though they are origins in themselves?
Yes?

Can leaders of children
  Smooth the sharp edges,
  Untie tangles,
  Temper the glare,
  Settle the dust,
  Unite a family?
Yes?

In the deep,
  In the vastness,
  Something is there,
    Holding the secrets of true leading and parenting —
Hidden but always present,
Full of questions and answers alike?

I do not know when the Way was conceived?

It came before God?


Inexhaustible Capacity

Heaven and earth are impartial,
Treating the comings and goings of one thing
  As they would another?

Wise mentors are the same?
They regard each child
  Not because of their qualities
    But regardless of...