Heaven and earth are impartial; they see the 10,000 things as straw dogs. The sage is not sentimental; he treats all his people as straw dogs The sage is like heaven and earth: To him none are especially dear, nor is there anyone he disfavors. He gives and gives, without condition, offering his treasures to everyone Between heaven and earth is a space like a bellows; empty and inexhaustible, the more it is used, the more it produces. Hold on to the center. Man was made to sit quietly and find the truth within.

The key word in this verse is impartial; all things are equal and nothing and no one is above anything else. Including ourselves. The Tao see us all equally and no one is favored by the Tao. I love this because it means we are all on equal footing and gives hope to the one individual who might have the perception that they aren’t deserving because of their race, social standing, gender, etc.. But we are all worthy and the Tao will give and give to all; it doesn’t play favorites.

Wayne has suggested to approach people and/or situations that present themselves to you with a “..completely fair mind-set” and trust in the Tao to guide you in your responses. How I approach this in my life is two fold:

No matter my position in life, whether it be personal or at work, I am no better than anyone else I don’t hate the person. They might piss me off but I don’t hate.

This approach has empowered me with compassion and empathy for others where the urge to judgment softens and wanes. There is where I hold onto my center and sit quietly and wait to find the truth within.

Tao Te Ching: 6th Verse Thoughts