Tom

Heaven and Earth are impartial; They see the ten thousand things as straw dogs. The wise are impartial; They see the people as straw dogs. The space between heaven and Earth is like a bellows. The shape changes but not the form; The more it moves, the more it yields. More words count less. Hold fast to the center. Any thoughts?

Here is Jeff's explanation. Any thoughts?

That's still chasing thoughts one way or another. If you are still caught up in the mental aspect you are far from being realized.

4 The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled. Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things! Blunt the sharpness, Untangle the knot, Soften the glare, Merge with dust. Oh, hidden deep but ever present! I do not know from whence it comes. It is the forefather of the gods. Any thoughts?

I would disagree. I don't believe one can become realized by thinking oneself into it.

Then you have to realize how to achieve that "core" desire. Here is Jeff's take on the chapter.

Meanwhile you are chasing your tail, chasing one desire after another hoping it will fulfill you never learning that it never will. Desires for more, money, fame, a better job, a better home or car are all examples of desires that are fleeting once achieved. The happiness one assumes one achieves is never what one pictured in ones mind. Happiness is never going to be found outside of you. Once you let go of those wants, those desires you will find more than you could ever imagine within you.

What type of desires are good and what type are bad?

I would agree. If you take Jeff's explanation about desires and apply that to chapter 3. I think it helps a lot.

So are you saying you disagree with the teachings? For instance. Not knowing what you truly desire confuses the heart. If nothing is done, there would be no progress. Are you interested in going over some of this in more detail as it is very important to understand?

Conversation with Jeff from another forum.

Conversation with Jeff from another forum.

Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If men lack knowledge and desire, then clever people will not try to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well. Any thoughts?

From Jeff:

Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness. All can know good as good only because there is evil. Therefore having and not having arise together. Difficult and easy complement each other. Long and short contrast each other: High and low rest upon each other; Voice and sound harmonize each other; Front and back follow one another. Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking. The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease, Creating, yet not possessing. Working, yet not taking credit. Work is done, then forgotten. Therefore it lasts forever.