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et； that may seem out of place： 〃Life stirs when it's cold/And is tranquilly still amid heat。〃 What is Lao Tzu telling us here？ There is always the obvious： sure； some creatures are busy in cold weather； but others go off and hibernate。 But Lao Tzu is talking about 〃inner temperatures〃 rather than seasonal variations。
For people； success and safety in social interactions are especially crucial； and these are linked to the issue of inner temperature。 When we can feel that the egos of others around us are hot and active； it is best to be still and inwardly withdrawn； so as not to arouse still more heat from them； and of course to avoid being burned。 When we feel a lowering of ego…temperature in a social environment； such as when ego has been 〃frozen〃 by an external shock； or when the heat of ego has been cooled by a breeze of common interest that awakens the true selves of all within the situation； then we can discover the potential for action； relationship； and involvement。 Thus； recognizing both potential and limitation within social encounters is about feeling the inner temperature； and about seeing past appearances。 Indeed； these amount to the same inner process： reacting to life from the center of one抯 being； retreating from the heat of ego （in both oneself and others）； and warmly engaging the cool lightness of being that is encountered in those who are lacking in display； aggrandizement； forced complexity and profundity； or pretence。
46
When the Tao suffuses man and Nature；
Swift horses nourish the fields with their dung。
When people abandon the Tao；
The horses are bred for battle；
And Nature is defiled。
The greatest disaster is to lack contentment。
The greatest curse is wanting more than you need。
Therefore the student of the Sage
Feels exactly when he has enough；
And thus receives eternal contentment。
Here； Lao Tzu dramatically underlines the themes he presented in Chapters 43 and 44； by referring back to the same metaphorical images of the horse and the dangers of excess。 When horses are free to run （remember the discussion of wu…wei in Chapter 43）； they spread nourishment back to the earth as fertilizer。 But when they are bred and trained for war； then their nourishing dung is wasted on the killing fields； which are poisoned with the blood of human slaughter。
Unforced action returns nourishment to Nature； while force and power only defile it。 War is always a product of the human obsession with excess； thus 〃the greatest curse is wanting more than you need。〃 Not only does excess bring conflict； it makes us unable to even enjoy what we have！ But to enter into a learning partnership with the Sage is to always feel when you have enough； which is the lesson of the previous two chapters。 This； indeed； is the greatest blessing of all。
47
Without leaving home；
You can learn the Way of Nature。
Without opening your eyes；
You can walk the path of truth。
The farther you wander without；
The more you separate from realization。
Thus the student of the Sage：
He never starts an outward journey
Before there is clarity within。
He analyzes nothing；
Yet finds words for everything。
He does not strive；
Yet his work is brought to completion。
This poem is one of many teachings on meditation in the Tao Te Ching。 Lao Tzu here reveals an overall guide to meditation； and its benefits。 You needn't wander ceaselessly without； lusting for outer variety and experience： the entire Cosmos and its movements can be experienced in stillness； by closing or muting the outer senses。 Meditation brings clarity； the kind of deep freedom from burdensome attachment that makes the 〃outward journey〃 truly fulfilling and restorative； rather than merely diversionary。
In this context； the 〃outward journey〃 takes on many layers of meaning； beyond the association of mere travel。 The outward journey can mean the process of making a career choice； deciding on a proposal of marriage； healing an illness； or making a purchase that nourishes our life and accords with our inner being。 When we allow the Sage and the other presences of the invisible world to nurture us toward clarity through regular meditation； our speech is simple and accurate； and our action is direct； but without force or effort。
48
Pursuing knowledge： daily accumulation。
Following Tao： daily unburdening。
Decrease； diminish； deprogram：
Continue in this till power is dead。
For when action lacks force；
Nothing is left unaccomplished。
Rely upon your true eternal nature；
And you will never have to strive again。
But let your life become
A game of inner commerce；
And you will never cease with making deals；
You will never feel fulfilled…
In this or any other world。
Contrary to what a certain well…known American historical document may have implied； happiness is not best found through pursuit。 Lao Tzu would like us to ask whether it makes inner sense to chase down happiness； understanding； or knowledge； as if they were external objects。 Happiness is best revealed or discovered； and so is knowledge。 Knowledge that is accumulated in the form of facts； statistics； and quotations from the 〃Masters〃 is every bit as obstructive as the accumulation of material goods with which many people seem to clutter their lives and homes。
Lao Tzu's alternative is 〃daily unburdening：〃 the regular and unrelenting inner deprogramming of the trappings of ego梚ntellectual clutter； degrees and diplomas； memorized formulae of theory and law； and the underlying assumption of the primacy and royalty of intellect among the various functions of the psyche。 You can deprogram these errors by denying them their false claim to truth； and in this； the process of discovering the living wisdom of Tao is already underway。
The benefits of this process are synergistic： as your understanding of your natural position in the cosmic order broadens； so does that of your intellectual function within your own psyche。 And once intellect is knocked off its false throne； it works far more comfortably and efficiently； because it is no longer the lonely and reluctant tyrant of the psyche。 For now the intellect is a fully functioning member of the total personality； and when a person discovers his natural wholeness； nothing is wanting： therefore； the 〃game of inner commerce〃 can be gratefully abandoned。
When your inner treasure is complete； there is nothing to gain； and the bubble of pursuit is burst； along with its insatiable thirst for the fulfillment that is always just beyond its reach。 Until that bubble is exploded； we cannot escape the vicious cycle of making deals on the superficial plane梔eals in which our own true nature is turned into a mere commodity。
49
The Sage is free of the law of fixed belief；
It reflects the heart of every seeker。
Where sincerity is revealed；
The Sage responds in kind。
Where one抯 true self is repressed；
The Sage remains sincere。
Loyally approach the Sage；
And your loyalty will be returned。
Doubtfully appr