To remain whole, seem twisted

To remain whole, yield somewhat or seem curved and bent if you may.
To become straight, let yourself look bent.
To become full, seem hollow.
Seem tattered now, that you can be renewed.
Those that have little, can get more,
To have plenty is to be confused.
Therefore the wise man clasps the primal unity, himself testing "everything" under heaven by it.
He does not show himself much, he is therefore luminous and clear.
He does not define himself, therefore he is distinct.
He does not boast, therefore people give him credit: he succeeds by that.
He's never outright proud of his work, and therefore he endures.
Because he does not contend, none in the world can contend with him.
So the old saying "To remain whole, seem twisted!" was no idle word;
For true wholeness can only be won by return to Tao.

-- Translation of ch. 22, Tao de Ching

This was the theme of an amazing yoga class by at Shri Yoga in NYC. To remain whole, seem twisted. Integrate two opposites to find the midline in often underused muscles, revealing the forgotten fullness from within.

:)