Introduction

Establishing the Precept is an explicit frame of reference for one of the critical components of Weaving the Way. 

The rhetorical device used invites us into a transcendent perspective by balancing opposites. Without conscious engagement, we vacillate between extremes (dualism) instead of synthesizing those extremes into a single picture (nondualism). Ultimately, this is the only precept - reconcile the whole as the basis of your being, also known as “the middle way.”

Contentment is an excellent indicator of whether or not we are on “the Way” and is a theme throughout the text, for example, in verses 3, 12, 19, 22, and 33. 

If you’re interested in some extra reading on the middle way, feel free to check out Faith in Mind by Master Seng Can. Faith in Mind is an essential text of Ch’an (the Chinese precursor to Zen) and demonstrates a syncretism with Daoism. You can find a variety of translations on terebess.hu. 

Translation

Which is dearer,
  your reputation or your body?

Which is more important,
  your character or your wealth?

Which produces more anxiety,
  gain or loss?

Loving deeply has a great cost.
Acquisition demands a loss.

Therefore,
  Know what is enough without humiliation.
  Know when to stop without danger. 

Commentary

Which is dearer,
  your reputation or your body?

Which is more important,
  your character or your wealth?

Which produces more anxiety,
  gain or loss?

When reflecting on these questions, I notice an uncertainty between what is dearer, more important, and more anxiety-producing. Focusing on one aspect over another induces clear shifts in how I approach my day. Becoming conscious of how those shifts correlate to my priorities is central to my overall well-being. 

Please spend some time with this thought experiment before moving on to the following couplet. 

Identify any pair of choices that lie in opposition to each other and feel how each influences your behavior. You can use any of the ones mentioned above, of course. 

A common, modern “paradox” that many struggle with is the relationship between self-care and obligations to others (work, family, etc.). A more charged one, but equally beneficial to contemplate, is the harmonization of forgiveness and boundary setting. 

Ready? Moving on.