Introduction

“Skillful Use” is the +1 to the party of East Asian wisdom practices. The primary invitation is to experience the Dao directly. Many earlier traditions just stick with that and say the rest takes care of itself. Attain transcendent understanding, and the rest of life is a breeze. 

Daoism, along with many other traditions, doesn’t stop there. It says, “OK, well done. Now what?” The “now what” drives us to examine how the transcendent is immanent. Meaning that which is “beyond all that is” is also “exactly present in what is.” It’s a little trippy and prevalent across the traditions that teach meditative living. The result is that once we know it, we become responsible for the impact of our lives on the world. Enter lessons on karma, reincarnation, and where we go when we die. 

Lao Zi lays out plenty of tips and tricks for this type of responsibility throughout this text. This verse is full of them. 

Translation

Perfected action leaves no trace.
Perfected speech lacks error and blame.
Perfected planning rolls no dice.

Perfected “closing” uses no locks,
  yet can’t be opened.
Perfected “binding” uses no rope,
  yet can’t be divided.

Weavers cultivate empowering others,
  never abandoning them.

Always aiding that which is,
  and leaving nothing behind.

This is called “seizing light.”

The advanced one
  serves as the novice’s teacher.
The novice one
  serves as the advanced one’s support.

Not valuing one’s teacher,
  not loving one’s support,
    is a deeply confused wisdom. 

This is the most profound of mysteries. 

Commentary

Perfected action leaves no trace. 

We discuss leaving no trace in verse 17, “Simple, Sincere Conduct.”

Perfected speech lacks error and blame. 

Being mindful of our speech is also a recurring theme. Here, beyond speaking sparingly, we are also informed that the ultimate weaver of the way has two additional qualities in their speech: accuracy and non-blaming. 

Accuracy can be understood as truthfulness; see verse 19, “Return to Original Honesty.” 

Non-blaming is trickier. For me, it connects to an ideal clearly stated in the Zen tradition: not to speak of another’s faults. That phrasing can have some serious pitfalls, so a more elaborate version of it is: “I remember the preciousness of silence. I see the perfection in others and refrain from gossip and frivolous conversation. I remain thoughtful and mindful of the effects of my speech.” (Hollow Bones Zen Sutra Book). It means that, within the Way, there is no fault. There is only cause and effect. Sometimes, we have to call out unskillful actions that have harmful impacts. The effect of silence is to be complicit, which is unacceptable. Such action differs from blaming, gossiping, frivolous conversation, complaining, etc. 

The full impact of this practice is beyond the scope of this commentary. In summary, speaking a thing gives it power, so be careful what you say, including the narrative that you allow to run through your internal dialogue. This is a profound practice.