Tao of la Vida

TAO FOR LA VIDA
BY: SARA PAREDES

Lyrics for “Viva la Vida”
BY: Coldplay


I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sweep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own
I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing:
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"
One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt, pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can't explain
Once you know there was never,
never an honest word
That was when I ruled the world
(Ohhh)

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in.
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become
Revolutionaries Wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Ohhhhh Ohhh Ohhh)

Hear Jerusalem bells are ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field
For some reason I can not explain
I know Saint Peter will call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world
(Oooooh Oooooh Oooooh)




After listening to the song, many things can go through your mind. For many, they remember Napoleon or Cesar, while others associate the song with Bush and the war in Iraq. However, no matter what you are remembering, you will be seeing the effects that the Tao Te Ching explains. The Tao explains why there are tons of souls, that go through Earth in search of happiness and a complement to their lives but only less than 1% have reached their goal.

This is a phenomenon that we live in our daily lives, but never understand it as a mystery. But, why aren’t we surprised with the live the owner of the song is living? Doesn’t the song remind is of the frustration that the entire human population is living? Let’s analyze it.

First of all, it is very important to point out that in the first passage of the Tao, it says not to read the book you have in your hands, and so does the song. In the passage, the reader is warned that it is better to live a life in ignorance, than understand the book and start living a pointless live. In the other hand, the song starts saying, “I used to rule the world”, meaning that his happiness has already faded, therefore you can’t expect any kind on happiness after listening to the song.

Since you read the first verse, you can put some clues in a timeline to understand the life of the narrator. Until now you know that the narrator started out as a normal person, and became king, a new and different king. Later, he took the wrong decisions, and ended up in the most miserable position. This type of life reflects one of the teachings the Tao says: Happiness is rooted in misery, misery lurks beneath happiness who knows what the future holds? (Tao Te Ching 58).
The first mistake that the narrator made according to the Tao, was not accepting your position. Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition. (Tao Te Ching 13) If the person, would have lost all the ambition for power, and accepted his place he wouldn’t have lost anything, or risked anything.


Also, the owner of the song made a big mistake. He fought to arrive to his highest position. There is a saying among soldiers: I dare not make the first move but would rather play the guest; I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot.

This is called marching without appearing to move, rolling up your sleeves without showing your arm, capturing the enemy without attacking, being armed without weapons. There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy. By understanding the enemy, I almost lose what I value. Therefore when the battle is joined, the underdog will win. (Tao Te Ching 69) The narrator was the one that fought his way to arrive to the throne, even before the king attacked. Therefore, yes, won the victory, but right after that moment, he cried in despair.
In addition, he used weapons and force to get the trophy, and a wise person doesn't choose weapons. Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man’s tools. He uses them only when he has no choice, peace and quiet are dear to his heart, and victory no cause for rejoicing. If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing; if you delight in killing, you cannot fulfill yourself. (Tao Te Ching 31)



Know, lets think what mistakes did that person made, during his moment of glory. According to the Tao, only the wise can rule.
The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If men lack knowledge and desire, them clever people will not try to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well. (Tao Te Ching 3).

Nevertheless, if the ruler fails to bring peace to the land, he will pay the cost. When there is no peace within the family,
Filial piety and devotion arise. When the country is confused and in chaos, loyal ministers appear. (Tao Te Ching 18)


Viva la Vida, is the name of the song, and it agrees with the Tao Te Ching, as long as you accept yourself and your position. If you don’t do so, you will mess with perfection, and instead of screaming “viva la Vida”, you will be screaming the actual lyrics.

How to Play Go

The game Go consisits in killing the opponents peables. Nevertheless, it has a crucial trick that ralates to the Tao Te Ching. In order, to pull yourself out of any struggling situation, you have to remember not to attack the opponent directly, but first let him make some more moves, and that will give you more opportunities and moves. Later, you can attack after a little bit of patiance, and you will probably win.