Taoism and Covid-19

[Wu Wei]

I have been looking around to get a Taoist perspective on the Coronavirus Pandemic and all I have found is this video from Master Gu who basically says stay in balance. Basically take it seriously, but not to seriously. Take social distancing seriously, but don't be scared, stay in balance.....Yin & Yang

The only other reference I have come across is following the 3 treasures, (3 Jewels): compassion, moderation and humility. These are found in the Tao Te Ching in chapter 67

Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has roots that go deep.

I have just three things to teach:
simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.

Take is seriously, but not to seriously.....compassion, moderation and humility.

Anything else from the Taoist point of view would be appreciated

 

[Samantha Rinne]

I'll do better. Here are chapters to read.

http://www.with.org/tao_te_ching_en.pdf

Chapter 80

An ideal nation is small and with few people.
Although there are abundant weapons, there is no need for the use.
Let the people cherish their life and not pursue after fame and wealth,
So that they have no intention to move to faraway places.
Although there are boats and carriages, no one will ride them.
Although there are weapons and armors, there is no occasion to display them.
Let the people return to the ancient simple life where knotting ropes were used to record every event.
People would then enjoy the simple food, simple clothing, and be contented with a simple life.
And they shall live happily with the traditional customs.
Neighbors of the nations overlook one another in the near distance.
The barks of dogs and crowing of cocks can be heard,
Yet people are so contented that they enjoy their life without ever visiting each other

Oddly, this is being enforced right now. But it's because of the opposite trend, people obsessively wanting to visit foreign lands and have them visit that we are here. Because people weren't satisfied with their life at home, now we HAVE to stay at home.

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Govern a nation with the right principle, fight a battle with the tactics of surprise,
Rule over the world with peace and natural effort.
How do I know that this so?
By the following:
The more prohibitions that are imposed on people, the poorer the people become.
The more sharp weapons the people possess, the greater is the chaos in the country.
The more clever and crafty the people become, the more unusual affairs occur.
The more laws and regulations that exist, the more thieves and brigands appear.

Think about all of the people getting arrested for going to the church, for going to the beach, for hanging out with friends. We condemn them for not proposing safety precautions. But would you want to be arrested for similarly stupid reasons? People are poor, because they can't go to work.

Chapter Seventy-Two

When people do not respect the authority,
There shall be great misfortune.
Do not interfere with the people’s livelihood.
Do not despise their living.
Because there is no detest against the people,
Therefore the people do not detest against the authority.

This is unfortunately kinda what's happening. People are having their livelihood interfered with.

Bottom line? People are returning to how they should be, going home and caring for their private lives (Chapter 80). But that they are being for to do so "or else" is not as cool (Chapter 57). That people are actually prevented from doing their jobs (Chapter 72) is even less cool. It was caused by the fact that people were not in harmony, so things got out of hand. If we can take a lesson from people who are farming and repairing their houses, if we can keep our ambitions under control, things are probably better.