If you were to ask random people, does greater understanding come from more communication? Most would answer, absolutely, without a doubt. So, with increased dialogue throughout the world, why is there so much chaos? The world is well connected by a multitude of communication paths, but is still plagued with conflict, misunderstanding, and war. People are talking, but are we truly listening? The words get louder, faster, then feelings are hurt, and insults are hurled.

I recently read Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching, while many quotes stood out to me; I wanted to focus on the one below.

Chapter 15:

“Do you have the patience to wait

Till your mud settles and the water is clear?

Can you remain unmoving

Till the right action arises by itself?”

I know some may read the quote and think that we should take a step back when conflict arises and look inward to avoid overreacting, which is always wise. To go a step further, it also speaks to fully knowing your true self, not the impostor that enters stage right. Knowing yourself makes room for more understanding and compassion for people in general because their faults and flaws are the same as yours. When we look in the mirror long enough and see our own unique perfection, we see the same in others. When we sit in silence long enough, that voice of doubt, fear, and anger can then be replaced by words that nurture and uplift. Only then do we realize that nothing divides us, the walls fall down, and the cords of compassion connect us.

Think about it: What does Lao Tzu’s quote mean to you?