Chapter 26 - Roots

Heaviness is the root of lightness
Quietness is the master of restlessness

Therefore the sages travel an entire day
Without leaving the heavy supplies
Even though there are luxurious sights
They are composed and transcend beyond

How can the lords of ten thousand chariots
Apply themselves lightly to the world?
To be light is to lose one's root
To be restless is to lose one's mastery

What does this mean?

I think heaviness and quietness is a metaphor for importance and seriousness.  It is the difference between a loose feather and a loose stone.  A feather floats away on the winds of Tao, with no abilitiy to be useful to anyone or anything until it gets rooted to a branch or the ground.  A stone, however, becomes immensely useful.  To the insects living below it, to the animals who burrow under it, and to humans who build entire cities with loose stone.

A mind that is focused on the frivolities of the world are at the mercy of reality.  That kind of mind is "light" and not quiet.    When one plays games all day to the exclusion of all else, what happens when they lose the pieces or otherwise can't indulge?  In a way, it is a danger of civilization that allows so many people this opprotunity.  Even I am a victim of it.

You used to be able to call me a gamer.  My entire life's focus was on fantasy worlds in my head.  I have lost a lot of years playing games.  Then I started a family and illusions fell away.  I realized that the skills I devalued were the ones I needed most; growing and finding food, finding water, making shelter.  I needed to learn mindfulness and to respect others.  Learning skills I never bothered to learn before, I found the potential to be the father my family will need and be an example I want my kids to have.

My roots in existence are growing.

How do I use this?

Be rooted in reality.  I'll be the first to admit I that this is a weakness of mine.  I still spend a lot of time in a place outside of reality and the Tao.  However, I learned what I need to know but do not over the course of this last year on how to have respect for yourself in your own life.

Physically, do you know how to care for your needs in any situation?
Emotionally, are you tempered enough to do right and effective action in any circumstance?
Mentally, are you mindful and aware of the time and place you are in?
Socially, are you listening to the needs of those around you and not just their desires?