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ext； p。 39）。 These are the 〃great Three〃 that pervade the Cosmic Harmonic and each of the 〃endless compressions of being。〃 Each compression is qualitatively equal to all the others； and each is unique in its autonomy。 This is why the principle of Modesty is natural and necessary： Modesty is the principle discussed in Hexagram 15 of the I Ching； and here in Lao Tzu； wherever he speaks of Te （see； for example； Chapters 38 and 39）。 The principles are no more hierarchical than are the two ventricles of your heart （which one do you prefer？）。
Thus； the Cosmic Consciousness； in its spontaneous expression as the One； the Two； and the Three； along with the numberless forms that arise from it； dances to its own pure and primordial music。 Lao Tzu called that music Tao； it can also be named Love。
43
Within the realm of Nature；
The gentle horse runs free；
While more intransigent forms stay fixed。
Non…being is able to infiltrate
Where there isn抰 any room。
Thus I see that unforced action
Is the only path to success；
And that the greatest eloquence is silence。
Action free of noise and expectation：
This is Nature抯 teaching；
Which but few have truly learned。
Listen to your own true nature；
And learn。
A horse runs without inhibition through a meadow梚t doesn't plan its run； plot its course； calculate its own speed； wonder why it runs； or critically compare its gallop with that of others。 It doesn't even ask whether running is allowed； or whether it even 〃feels like〃 running： there is no self…consciousness in the act。 It just runs； because that is its nature； or at least an aspect of it。
This is Lao Tzu's illustration of wu…wei； the principle of unforced action。 It is a hackneyed concept； and was particularly disfigured a generation ago （one might say it was 〃beaten to death〃） by the 〃beat generation。〃 Wu…wei is not 〃non…action〃 in the sense of passivity； nor is it action that is carelessly or wantonly initiated； and it is certainly not a self…indulgent； 〃feel…good〃 type of energy。 Wu…wei is action that proceeds from true nature； 〃without noise or expectation；〃 as the poet observes； it works neither for nor against anything； and it has no fixed cause or goal。 It is the energy of the total being in motion； and this is why it seems to penetrate or infiltrate the most dense and obdurate situations and circumstances。 Its motion and its liquid ability to penetrate come from its lightness； for it is free of the heavy and rigid accretions of ego。
For people； this is a difficult concept to assimilate into experience； and Lao Tzu understands that： it's one reason that he wrote these 81 poems。 He spends much of the Tao Te Ching encouraging us； reminding us that it is possible to learn how to let our formless inner senses and energies activate and transform life on the outer plane of being。 It is possible because we already know how； we already are wu…wei。 It is merely a matter of unloading the baggage of belief； expectation； display； and all the concretized trappings of ego。
This is the process of growth through diminishment described throughout the book： it is a progressive course of learning that is self…fulfilling because it is； in fact； a process of self…teaching in partnership with the teaching energy of the universe； the Sage。 Indeed； there is nothing to learn except the way of diminishment： once we understand that to relieve oneself of ego is to automatically liberate the true self； then we can realize that there is nothing to attain or to cultivate。 From this point of understanding； our inner horse is free to run。
44
A great name or self…knowledge：
To which of these does your heart respond？
Material goods or your natural virtues：
Which do you treasure more？
Profit or loss： which is more apt
To lead you toward destruction？
The love of excess lays Nature waste：
It spends the self and buys remorse。
Accumulation is the greatest loss。
Meet your needs and go no further；
And you will be a stranger to disgrace。
Recognize the limits of every situation；
And you'll be free from danger。
Thus can you fulfill the enduring harmony。
When an animal or a small child enters a new situation or environment； it will be observed to 〃test the waters；〃 or to cautiously assess the things； beings； patterns of activity； and other conditions of the place and situation。 This ability has； in fact； been studied across various scientific and naturalistic disciplines； with fascinating findings。 It is the natural ability of organisms to 〃recognize the limits；〃 as Lao Tzu expresses it； to read an environment with all the senses梑oth inner and outer梖or potential danger； avenues of retreat； and whatever there is that lies beneath the surface appearance that may inform or protect。 In such circumstances； animals will be seen to rely predominantly on their sense of smell梩he outer scents that the environment presents； and the inner scents that they can detect with their entire being。
Thus； Chapter 44 is a poem about recognizing the limits as a preparation for action or adaptation。 We humans can learn to avoid disgrace； remorse； and danger to our true selves by relying on our own sense of caution； our own ability to see； or sniff； the limits of every situation。 Lao Tzu reminds us to ask； before we reach for profit； fame； knowledge； or wealth： what is this truly bringing me； and what might it cost me？ Is it as much as I need； or is it more than my true self can afford？ If the inner response to these questions feels like a warning； or if it even feels ambiguous； then it is time to ask for help from the invisible realm of being； of which your inner senses partake； and to let clarity develop within before you take action。 In this way； we can learn to avoid many errors and still have abundance in our lives。 In the next poem； Chapter 45； Lao Tzu addresses certain inner reference points that may help us in developing the clarity that avoids excess through recognizing limitation。
45
The greatest accomplishment seems lacking；
Yet has all it needs to endure。
The most teeming abundance appears shallow；
But its depth and breadth cannot be measured。
Lasting justice seems inconsequential；
The purest art looks simple and meager；
True eloquence sounds awkward and hollow。
Life stirs when it抯 cold；
And is tranquilly still amid heat。
Moving outward from the center；
In the dance of the primordial stillness；
The Cosmic Whole continually replenishes
The natural order of the Harmonic Essence。
In the previous poem； Lao Tzu brought the importance of recognizing limits to our attention。 In this poem； he reveals life as lived beyond the obsession with appearances。 The poem opens with two stanzas that contain the cautionary expressions found throughout the Tao Te Ching： things are not always what they seem； and we must see past appearances in order to further and protect our true being。 Then there is an apparently paradoxical couplet； that may seem out of place： 〃Life stirs when it's cold/And is tranquilly still amid heat。〃 What