Chapter 6: The Way is the Womb of All Life, the Root System of the Universe


 The spirit of the valley is called the mysterious womb.

The gateway to the mysterious womb is the root of heaven and earth.

It stretches forth as if it has always existed!  Use it effortlessly.


The imagery of this chapter is one of nurture and nourishment.  It is agricultural, maternal, and natural.  The spirit of the Way is like an undying valley, like an empty vessel or a great bellows, it is the open space where life can grow.  Valleys were traditional beds for agriculture because life-giving water flows into them, bringing essential nutrients to plants and animals alike.  The Way is also like a universal womb, the birth chamber where all life is produced, developed, and delivered.  Just beneath the surface, the Way is the root system of the cosmos, bringing nourishment and stability to the world.  The substrate of the universe, the Way is a networkof solutions, possibilities, and opportunities.  It stretches forth and extends everywhere, seemingly eternal and endless.  As soon as we tap into it, things naturally and effortlessly begin to fall into place for us.  Solutions to problems present themselves, unforeseen opportunities emerge, and the wonders of the Way will flow into our lives. ~ DCB

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