The Tao is omnipresent in life. To follow the Tao is to master the laws governing the development of things.

During the Warring States period, King Hui of Wei once went to observe the renowned butcher Ding dissecting an ox.

As Butcher Ding worked, his hands, feet, shoulders, and knees moved in constant coordination, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of his knife, akin to music, while his movements were as graceful as a dance. In just a short while, he cleanly separated the ox’s bones from its meat with remarkable ease.

The king, astonished, asked, “How is your skill so exceptional?” Butcher Ding set down his knife, bowed to King Hui, and replied, “When I first began dissecting oxen, all I saw was a whole ox. After three years of practice, I no longer saw an ox as a whole, for I had become thoroughly familiar with its structure—the positions of its joints, tendons, and bones were clear to me. Thus, separating the meat from the bones became effortless.”

King Hui then asked, “Your knife must be extremely sharp, then?” Butcher Ding smiled and answered, “Ordinary butchers change their knives every month because their blades constantly strike bones. Skilled butchers change theirs once a year, as they use their knives only for cutting meat. This knife of mine has been in use for nineteen years, having dissected thousands of oxen, yet its edge remains as sharp as new.”

Butcher Ding continued, “In truth, the blade is exceedingly thin, while the gaps between the meat and bones are much wider. As long as the knife is accurately inserted into these gaps, the meat separates easily. However, when encountering complex structures, I must still focus my mind and proceed with utmost care.” The king nodded repeatedly and said, “From your words, I have gained much wisdom for life.”

Indeed, at first glance, one might only see the dazzling skill and attribute it to “mere practice.”  Yet, after experiencing life’s hard struggles and relentless challenges, we come to understand that effortless mastery is never achieved through brute force but through insight and aligning with the natural flow. When Butcher Ding first started, he saw only “the whole ox”—much like how, in our youth, we see only goals without grasping the rules or the nuances of human nature. After three years, he “no longer saw a whole ox,” akin to our realization that tasks have their own structures and people have their boundaries. After nineteen years, he “engaged with the spirit rather than relying on sight,” no longer forcing his way but finding the gaps and the right path, allowing the knife to glide through naturally. This is discovering the Tao of ox dissection—following the inherent laws of things to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Similarly, the often-quoted “God helps those who help themselves.” does not simply mean that hard work and study guarantee success. It requires us to adopt the mindset of the Tao, to follow the laws of development derived from accumulated experiences and lessons in life. Those adept in the Changes understand the Tao of Heaven, pay attention to it, and apply it, thereby ensuring smooth and desired outcomes. This is the true meaning of “God helps those who help themselves.”