Four Great Powers

The ancient tradition of Taoism perceives the embedded hierarchy of four great powers, which are the matrix of interconnectedness in which we live. It is easy to see ourselves as individual units separated and alone from the rest of existence, but we are not that. Our sense of alienation is only a form of blindness, which has deeply affected our common culture.

Lao-Tzu saw this:

The Tao is great
The universe is great
Earth is great.
Humankind is great.
These are the four great powers.

Humans follow the earth.
Earth follows the universe
The universe follows the Tao
The Tao follows itself
--Tao Te Ching 25

We are each embedded within the dynamic chaos of living humanity. We exist within that organic unit, and humanity itself is held within the dynamic balances of earth as a living system. The earth is embedded within the forces of the universe, and the universe lies within the Ocean of Consciousness ( or Conscious Intention) which defines the Tao. If we could see and respond in this way, rather than as single egoic units, we would perhaps begin to live purposefully.