stop trying to control life and let it breathe
Governing a large country is like frying a small fish.
You spoil it with too much poking.
Center your country in the Tao and evil will have no power.
Not that it isn’t there, but you’ll be able to step out of its way.
Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.
Chapter 60 of the Tao Te Ching via an excerpt from: "In Harmony with the Tao" by Francis Pring-Mill.
The concept of allowing wine to breathe and the passage from the Tao Te Ching, particularly the 60th chapter of the Tao Te Ching is one of my favorites. It offers a look at the principles of “non-interference” and “natural flow” which are central to Taoism.
When you allow wine to breathe, you essentially expose it to the air, allowing it to interact with oxygen. This process can enhance the wine's flavor and aroma by softening harsh tannins and releasing complex scents.
Importantly, this transformation occurs naturally over time when you let the wine rest in the right conditions, rather than actively trying to manipulate or force it.
Similarly, the passage from the Tao Te Ching emphasizes the idea of governing a large country with a gentle touch, like frying a small fish. In both cases, there's an acknowledgment of the power of non-interference and allowing natural processes to unfold.
Over the course of my life, I have found that trying to control or manipulate things excessively can be counterproductive. Just as constantly poking at a small fish while frying it would spoil the fish, trying to micromanage or exert excessive control in our day to day endeavors can disrupt the natural order of our lives and lead to negative consequences.
Centering your actions and governance in the Tao, or the Way, means aligning with the natural flow of events rather than resisting or interfering with it. This is akin to letting the wine breathe naturally instead of rushing the process.
In governance, as in winemaking, there is an understanding that when you give evil (or disruptive forces) nothing to oppose and allow the perfect, rhythmic order of life to prevail, things tend to find their own balance, and issues tend to resolve themselves.
The concept of allowing wine to breathe and the wisdom of the Tao Te Ching's 60th chapter both highlight the importance of working with the natural flow of things, rather than trying to control or force outcomes. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most effective approach is to step back, allow things to evolve naturally, and have faith in the inherent balance of the universe.