Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter 36

If you want to shrink something,you must first allow it to expand.

If you want to get rid of something,you must first allow it to flourish.

If you want to take something,you must first allow it to be given.

This is called the subtle perceptionof the way things are.

The soft overcomes the hard.

The slow overcomes the fast

Let your workings remain a mystery.

Just show people the results

He we are now at the "Second Universal Paradox" agian. That's what I'll call it. It's that one I've written about in previous post. This is the paradox of"Doing without trying". It's the way of the master. Remember YOU are the master (of mistress). By relequinshing control (or attempt to control) of things one is able to truly be in control of his own life. This chapter echos to me whispers of the Apostle Paul who lived much later than our man Lu but carried in him a similar mysterious charisma. Let's face it- Paul was an oratory bad-ass. Here's the passaage of Paul's that Lu often reminds me of when speaking about what I call the "First Universal Paradox":

18"Let no man deceive himself . If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19For he wisdom of this world is foolishness before God For it is written, "He is The One who catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of of the wise, that they are useless." 21So then let no one boast in men for all things belong to you." 1 Corinthians 3 (New American Standard Bible)

I'm also reminded of the time Jesus told the parable of the tares and the wheat. He said to let the tares grow along with the wheat, to be patient, and one day they would grow up and everyone could clearly see the difference. Then is would be easy to destory to unwatned intruding plants. I think he was getting at a simliar meaning as Lu's line: "If you want to get rid of something,you must first allow it to flourish." I hear Lu saying that in order to get what you want out of life you must pace your self, be patient, and look at things differently. Know that the entire universe was set into motion long before you ever existed and will continue on long after you're gone. Stop trying to control it and pay closer attention to the things in your life that are your responsibility. Know what true force is and how it is applied to a goal in order to accompolish it. When Lu says: "The soft overcomes the hard." think of water. How a cup of it can't even hurt your expensive silk blouse but tidal waves can destory whole cities. Glaciers can sink ships, and shelter the mighty polar bear. Rapid rivers can erode away huge canyons. That's the type of power he is alluding to here.

When Lu says: "The slow overcomes the fast" think of how the earth's crust move and change the shaps of geological structures over time. Think of how enormous stalagtites and stalagmites grow by just one drop of liquid at a time. After a while they overcome faster moving substances like gases. Air can't evaporate them anymore because they have solidyfied from all those tiny drops into something hard and unmovable. Don't compare your progress to others. You will overcome. You will accompolish. You will reach your goal. Deligience is the discipline praised here. Be consistent and focused in all you do and nothing can stop you.

I hope I have made the Second Universal Paradox clear. I will continue to draw off of it and off of Paul's paradox which I will refer to as the "First Universal Paradox" because I beleive you must first become foolish, you must first acknowledge to desparing limited of your present state of understanding before you can be opened up to learn and truly become wise. Then the second universal paradox can be employed, helping you master your own devices, talents, and challanges.

Belief.Net

A dear friend of mine referred me to this website today. Here is the link. It's a survey that helps one compute what religion their personal beliefs match.
http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx

I will post my result later when I have completed the quiz myself. My internet connection is too lazy right now for me to have the patience for it. But I urge you to go on and try it. Comment below what you learn about yourself. I would love to read it.

Fith Meditation

This morning I can say was my most successful meditation session yet. I set my timer for 20 minutes which passed before I knew it and I went on for 5 more . I focused my mind's eye on the triangle again. I drew in my breath and breathed out the moment. And somehow in the midst of all this I found these words running through my mind, they are from a band I used to listen to years ago:

"King or cripple; what have I become?

Beneath these kingly robes their lies a fragile man.

What made me a king can sometimes cripple.

All that you give can sometimes rob my innocence.

Why do you let us walk along a cliff so steep?

When deep below the sea there lies a bed of gold?

And if this should be our battle ground,

don't let me fall; don't let us fall. "

(from King Or Cripple by Smith, Martin of Delirious?)

My soul remembers and can't forget. God is inside.

I've long ago asked Him to help me leave behind all that is of man. Now it's time to embrace who He really is. Really is? Who really is our Creator? Anyone who seriously wants to know God, I believe, should at least have the guts to ask Him straight out without going through another man's opinion and doctrine. Because, I believe, there are many facets to the Creator and maybe my (and maybe yours too) connection with Him is needed to help make up a more complete human understanding of who and what God is. I'm not saying that theology should not be drawn upon to gain insight into who God is but I am saying that I've already had enough theology to last me a lifetime. Now it's time for me to continue in my own theology and discover for myself just what is this Creator all about. Hence the inception of this blog. I'm putting down here in words (Or I am attempting to) the chronicles of my soul's journey toward this understanding. It's a rediscovery or sorts. A new oddessy of spirit that I have embarked on and I'm never looking back. You're welcome, dear pilgrim, to join me.

Fourth Meditation

Today I positioned myself with back against the wall. (No creeps today.) I had to begin by sitting in the lotus position and dangling an orange poof from a string. (My little Gentleman caller insisted I needed to amuse him a moment.) Soon I was focusing on my breathing. Do you know how hard it is to coordinate rhythmic breathing, pushing out thoughts, and focusing on one aesthetic thing ALL at once? This breathing thing is pretty tough. Don't get me wrong- I didn't just make the blondest statement of the year. I mean getting into the habit deep breathing that starts in your belly and rises in your chest is quite a coordinating feat in itself. Unless you are already of a singing disposition or a hard-core yoga buff. Anyways, this I must work on before a habit of meditation can solidify.
Today I chose the focal point of sapphire beads and surrendering to the waves of a likewise colored, limitless ocean. I don't have expertise in this matter but I suspect there is subliminal significance to what your mind choosing to visualize at times of meditation. I will have to look into it. I largely held a visualization, one which is becoming a regular appearance before my mind's eye, of a blue triangle with purple rays uniting my mind, spirit, and body (or as the lotus position simulates the unity and balance if your physical and metaphysical members.) One unifying triangle of the mind, spirit and body- this was a strong picture that held all other thoughts at bay and even made a quite enough respite for me to think on my personal balance and unity, how powerful they are combined. I was able to recall my mind back to the place I described yesterday, one of strange personal awareness that plays with my sense of depth, but only briefly.
I finished rather abruptly though for I was not able to completely get my mind off of all the things about my life I am rather anxious about at the present. I will continue to hammer away at the build-up of mental gunk on my conscious though, and forge for my mind and new mental superhighway, a conduit of change in my life.

Third Meditation

Today I meditated in late afternoon in front of the back door facing a huge pile of snow which I used to reign in my thoughts. Thinking on snow can lea to adll sorts of metaphors I realized. I went from thinking about solid purity, to the false purity of snow, (it looks clean but it's actually made up of ice and dirt) to the blood of Christ that washes whiter than snow.
My mind ventured to a place of fullness in its awareness of my conscious and physical self. I have been to this place before, I realized. I think it deserves further exploration. It's a sort of strange sensation that plays with my sense of depth. It lends a keen since of the present. I was pleased to reach such a place only about ten minutes into my session but it also sort of hindered me a bit because such a dynamic state of being in the present makes me really sense where I am- that I am me, in my chair, sitting, in this room, alone and very venerable. I kept visualizing myself from behind and it gave me the creeps. I made extra effort to keep my thoughts on what was in front of me.
Because I didn't get started to about 4:45pm I knew I was pushing my luck with solitude. My sister usually gets home some time after five pm. I only needed about 20 minutes so I decided to go ahead with it and try not to let the thought of her possibly coming home before I was finished distract me too much. I did reign my thoughts in pretty well anyway, considering but she did come in the front door before I was finished. I thought the interruption would be an abrasive jolt but really, since I was half expecting it, wasn't. Since the back door is aligned with the front I was the first thing she saw when entering and the moment went from serenity to laughter when she said "Are you in time out?" So I told her no, that I was just meditating and slowly began to stretch and get up from my chair.
I think it went very well today. I even had an unexpected pleasant finish after all. Before I stood up from the chair I stretched my upper body, arching my back and experienced a heavy blood rush through my whole body all the way to my brain. (Maybe I wasn't breathing deeply enough?) But I stayed seated so I wouldn't pass-out on the floor and the effect was quite euphoric. Don't know if that is an often desired consequence of meditation but it felt serenely in keeping with the whole intended mind frame so I went with it.

Chapter Fourty-Five

Chapter 45

True perfection seems imperfect,yet it is perfectly itself.

True fullness seems empty,yet it is fully present.

True straightness seems crooked.

True wisdom seems foolish.

True art seems artless.

The Master allows things to happen.

She shapes events as they come.

She steps out of the way and lets the Tao speak for itself.

I love the way the musical irony of life is illustrated here. "True straightness seems crooked." is a line that declares the reality that the right way to do something isn't always the most obvious and it may even be one of the most difficult and unconventional approaches. "True wisdom seems foolish." reminds me of the ancient Jewish King Solomon. This profound concept was very present in his works and later boldly used by Jesus in his teachings. Christian circles embrace this concept as ancient wisdom from the Spirit of their God so isn't it interesting to stop for a moment and consider just how ancient it is? Seems that even the wisdom of God preceded the existence of the Bible. (One well informed could easily argue the reality of the Bible's spiritual and moral significance because of the reality of the splendid wisdom of texts even more ancient than itself but that's another blog series long time in the making. )

The profound statement "To be wise you must first become a fool" is firmly rooted in various forms of theology and I think its reality exceeds the confines of theology when applied by practical minds.

"True art seems artless." gracefully indicates just how much art is a part of life. The common philosophy among artists is that art imitates life and life imitates art. But I would take it a step further by declaring that art is indeed a lifestyle and that a life embraced is in essence art itself. Living out life to the fullest and truest manifestation of oneself is indeed true art. So from my perspective I clearly see how true art can seem artless. The challenge from Lu in this chapter, I feel, is one of thinking outside the box. Don't be afraid to re-invent yourself multiple times through-out your life for at each stage you are becoming. A life truly embraced is always going to be in the process of becoming more like itself.

The last part here: "The Master allows things to happen.
She shapes events as they come.She steps out of the way and lets the Tao speak for itself." Illustrates how ones approach to living should be not too forced but balanced by way of the wisdom of knowing when to interfere with its course and when to peacefully co-exist with the flow of it. Shaping events as they come is very proactive. The act of it says that the person doing it is not going to allow opportunities to pass untaken. On the other hand the non-act of allowing things to happen shows confidence in a higher orchestration of things for a specific outcome, one that is in harmony with all life. So reservedly stepping out of the way to let the "Way" speak for itself shows faith, strength, and readiness.

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Chapter 68

The best athlete wants his opponent at his best.

The best general enters the mind of his enemy.

The best businessman serves the communal good.

The best leader follows the will of the people.

All of them embody the virtue of non-competition.

Not that they don't love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play.

In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.

Harmony. Imagine that for a moment. Harmony is life functioning fluid in motion; life as it should be. Here we are made to consider the leader's role in it.

It's a participation sport and everybody's effort counts. Harmony can't be achieved without you or me or everyone else. So a leader's role counts toward binding that unity into a rhythmic pattern. A good leader will realize how much being conscientious NOT try too hard is key to effectiveness. A leader will realize the goal at hand should be designed with everyone's success in mind. Thus she/he will have a broader sense of priority than just what advances her/his cause. I can't say enough about the virtue of subtlety.

Now take into consideration the type of leader referred to here as the "best general". Here is a good example of that virtue. Subtely our attention is brought to the responsibility of competitive leaders to understand the mind of their opponents. Great advantage is gained from knowledge of the inner workings of the mind of the enemy. But too seldom does one realize that the knowledge isn't necessarily about gaining momentum with which to trod one's enemies into dust.

I believe here, in context with the harmony Lu often spoke of and urged us toward, he was referring to the kind of insight into the opposing field that yields peace. The kind of insight that brings the leader down to earth and causes them to acknowledge that the so-called enemy is really just another human being, one whom may want something she/he has or may not wish to share what she/he already has, but a human being nonetheless. I think this kind of grounded, humane perspective is the one Lu is lauding. Equating it with a child-like competitive spirit, one that knows how to go after what is wanted, take on an equally competent foe, AND realize that in the end we are all the same- children in a grand sandbox of sorts. None of us being any less fragile, or any more worthy than the other.
I believe Lu is saying here that being humbly conscious of this fragility and equality is the key virtue- a sort of "non-competition"- to harmony.

Don't I wish this virtue was more widely put into motion!

Yay, and I make this, and have made this my prized gem of wisdom gathered from the elders of reason and compassion from ages so old. Lu-Tzu puts into skillful poetry what I feel, is one of my main drives for communication. I do what I do, write what I write, and create what I create for this one purpose- to do my part in solidifying such harmony in the communities of those around me. Can I do more than I am doing at this point? Oh certainly! I have hardly began to start. I would even call it my "career" of sorts because I do not wish to be associated with any sort of profession too closely. (You may be a consumer of my works but they do not define me.) So I would rather be called a "Harmonist" because I would let such a virtue define me (If I were worthy of it.) before I would let a source of artistic outlet and income, say photographer, define what makes me, me.

Second Meditation

I meditated for the second time day. (Promise I will get back to the Tao Te Ching soon.)
I started with a sort of warm up this time. I put on some soothing, and uplifting music while I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and prepared my meditation spot. Before turning off the music I took my time distracting my mind from it's negative thoughts by dancing around to the music a bit, just letting myself go. Then I got down to the business. I sat, this time on a chair instead of the floor as I did yesterday. The chair made a difference; thus my whole body was more agreeable through the whole session. I made it to a full 25 minutes this time with only one interruption: The landlord barging down the stairs and up to the back patio to ask the neighbor's something in a rather loud, and animated German manner. (They like to converse that way, it's rather amusing.) The wide window I like to sit in front of is facing the backyard and it's curtains where open so I could overlook the freshly fallen snow. Thus this interruption was terribly distracting but thankfully, brief. I shall make note to avoid such minor but jarring disturbances in the future.
This time I used a photograph of Manuel on our favorite beach. This seamed helpful because not only was I able to relax my mind on his face but also visualize the happiest place of my life.
I did this when expelling negative thoughts and was even able to move into a more quite state if mind. I tried harder to bring my whole self into the present and dwell there as long as possible. I didn't stay there for very long but I made progress nonetheless and I am proud. I cut out the caffeine this time too and started shortly after lunch. I still feel more centered than even yesterday and ready to tackle what mental challenges my arise over the weekend. I don't know if I will be able to meditate until next week so be looking for more Chapters instead.
-Nola

First Meditation

I just finished my first attempt at meditation. I started with music, a couple of Imogen Heap songs, but they quickly became annoying as I was focusing more on the lyrics than my breathing. To meditate properly, one has to get the hang of deep, from the belly to the lungs, rhythmic breathing. This I am not very good at yet and I get really annoyed like "This is stupid head stuff!" Plus it's very hard to relax by focusing on the breathing because my lungs are still slightly sore from an illness I had last December which makes my lungs feel like over-inflated balloons with any type of excersion. My back hurt and I began to wonder "Do I really have such terrible posture that even the lotus position is painful, or do I have some curvature of the spine? Then my left knee hurt from being folded and again I was like "This is stupid!" But I ventured on in my journey into the mind. I practised letting go of my thoughts so I could quite the noise from my mind. One does this by focusing first on breathing, then on the body,thus reigning in all the thoughts to the present until one's entire being is completely in the moment. It's hard to achieve mental blankness when your body is annoying you so. I kept thinking of 1. the last episode of Bones I watched and how a nine year old could kill another nine year old and act like nothing happened. 2 What I was going to say in this blog today. 3 How uncomfortable I was trying to keep my back perfectly straight. 4 Why do I feel like there is a presence watching me? 5 What the hell is that cat up to? I kept releasing these thoughts and thinking on my object which today was my boyfriend. I'm not sure how good of an object he made because I wasn't clear on what type of object one should focus on and whether it should be a physicalone or not. So I would bring my thoughts to rest on his face and it was pleasant. I don't think I made it through the entire initial 20 minute session the beginner's are supposed to start with but I do feel a bit over-all relaxed and more able to concentrate. The sunlight beaming red against my closed eye-lids felt good and happy. The relaxed, un-engaged parts of my body felt empowered as if by focusing my attention solely on them my whole essence could be delved into for access to more of my untapped potential. I can certainly see how great things can be done here- in meditation. Clearing away the mental cobwebs, clearing away the inner noise one can re-realize how mighty a human being is. How mighty oneself can be if one calms down long enough to get to know themselves thoroughly and fully engage themselves and their mental awareness.



Here the form I used today from yogabasics.com:

Yoga Meditation:

"Sit in a comfortable position, either cross-legged on the floor or in a chair. Sit up tall with the spine straight, the shoulders relaxed and the chest open. Rest the hands on the knees with the palms facing up. Lightly touch the index finger to the thumb. Relax the face, jaw, and belly. Let the tongue rest on the roof of the mouth, just behind the front teeth. Allow the eyes to lightly close.
Breathe slowly, smoothly and deeply in and out through the nose. Let the inhale start in the belly and then rise gently up into the chest. As the breath slows and deepens, let go of any thoughts or distractions and allow the mind to focus on the breath. Feel the breath as it moves in and out of the body, feeling it move through the nose, throat, windpipe and lungs. Feel the body as it rises and falls with each breath. Bring as much of your awareness and attention to your body and breath as possible with each moment. As the thoughts return to the mind, let them go, and return the focus back to the body and breath.
Practice this meditation for 10-20 minutes. To end, gently let the eyes blink open, inhale the palms together in front of the heart, exhale and gently bow. Take a moment or two before moving on with the rest of your day."

Embarking on a New Leg of My Spiritual Journey

Today I will skip the Tao Te Ching for the subject of meditation. It may seem a bit incredible to hear this: I have never explored meditation for the sake of meditating. I have never any attempted it other than for the purpose of focusing myself on a set of Bible text in efforts to connect with the Christian God. In fact, growing up in Church circles I was taught that meditation is actually a pagan way that the heathen open themselves up to spiritual darkness, even to demonic possession! Thus I was conditioned to close my mind to something that can improve memory, reduce stress, and help me reach into more of my creativity! Well not anymore. Today I will initiate a new era in my spiritual journey- I will google meditation!


What is it? Meditation is: "focusing of the mind on a single object, creating the cessation of all thought. As thoughts dissipate, the mind becomes quiet, and we are able to be fully in the present moment. The techniques of meditation are simple and easy to learn, but the ability to keep the mind focused takes time, patience and practice. The benefits of a regular meditation practice include reduction of stress, tension, anxiety and frustration, as well as improved memory, concentration, inner peace and whole body well-being." according to www.yogabasics.com.

I was just listening to some soothing music (Imogen Heap's Speak for Yourself) and began to loose myself in a swath of lyrical and musical "otherness". I began to think "I want to learn how to remain in a place like the one this song takes me to - a place like nothing else I have ever felt or experienced unlike anyplace I've ever been. Here, through music my soul approaches a place of quite peace and nothingness where I can reach my raw state of consciousness whats me, free and honest, laid bare and quite void of all outside influence,all outside noise, thoughts, clutters, pollution. Just purely MY consciousness. THAT's how I want to meditate. There I can get to know my self better and become more of like myself." So thus I began to ponder what meditation can do for me. In the mornings after I read a chapter of the Tao Te Ching I will sit in the sunlight and attempt to practice what I am learning about meditation. I will present my progress here. I welcome tips and input here in my comment box. My soul is thirsty for such wisdom.
Hopefully I will not acquire too much darkness as I am currently alone during the day for long stretches and it would be a pity if I became possessed and burned down my sister's house or ate the neighbor's cat. Haha.
Have a relaxed day!

Here is the websites I gather information from on meditation:
www.yogobasics.com
www.meditationworkshop.org
Any quotations I use will be from these. I reccomend them as they are a good source for the basics if you are a beginner like me.

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12

Colors blind the eye.

Sounds deafen the ear.

Flavors numb the taste.

Thoughts weaken the mind.

Desires wither the heart.

The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision.

He allows things to come and go.

His heart is open as the sky.

This chapter is pretty straight forward. What I get out of it is that Lu is pointing to the very transient nature of things. How temporal and fleeting the material world is! The master (in this case YOU the reader or script and live-er of life.) knows not to trust merely the physical but relies on his/her inner eye to dispel misconceptions and analyze what is being put forth as reality.

I think Lu knew that reality as we know it is relative and not at all what is seems at least not 100% of the time.

Opening ones heart, letting things come and go is the carefree style of the eastern intellect. You know why? Because they know that everything is temporal and life is short.

I think, as deep philosophers of life's ultimate meaning they saw this life as a brief introduction of sorts, into the cosmic experience of life as a whole series of cycles. That is, not to say they were mere passive observers of the human experience. Nay, they were professional practitioners of the divine art of living. They understood the concept of "Doing without trying. Only for them it was simply reality. They knew how to become one with their creations. (i.e. various martial arts disciplines.) They know how to meld their own efforts of mastery into such a part of themselves that they flowed with it. Like the expression "Be the dance" or in sports "Be the ball." It's an urging to "become one" with the art or sport, letting your skill create one smooth action executed by your entire being. So I believe that in all actuality Buddhist were and are (you do come across the ocassional"California Nut") vibrant participants on the Grand Stage. Just reading what Lu-Tzu has to say about life and society shows that he was an avid watcher and learner. He probably worked in a regular Chinese village and led a fairly regular life- enough for him to realize a thing or two about Life's general rhythms.

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter 14

Look, and it can't be seen.

Listen, and it can't be heard.

Reach, and it can't be grasped.

Above, it isn't bright.

Below, it isn't dark.

Seamless, unnamable,it returns to the realm of nothing.

Form that includes all forms,image without an image,subtle, beyond all conception.

Approach it and there is no beginning;follow it and there is no end.

You can't know it, but you can be it,at ease in your own life.

Just realize where you come from:this is the essence of wisdom.

Here is an enchantingly beautiful poem presenting the mysterious riddle of Life. It's first clue is the soon-to-be familiar concept of "Doing without trying". (We will explore it more in length as we digest other chapters.) It's the art of oneness. Letting your movements and consciousness become so grafted into something that it literally becomes a part of you so that you don't have to "try" (make a strenuous concerted effort) you just are. Part of the answer to the riddle of Life is simply Being. You know that adage from religious philosophy: "I'm a human being not a human doing."? Well I think Lu is pretty much saying the same thing here in the words: "Look, and it can't be seen.Listen, and it can't be heard.Reach, and it can't be grasped." In other, other words he is admonishing us not to try too hard to live life. It's our natural existence and really doesn't require too forceful a skill to do it right. It's something you savour; something you are routinely humbled by and awed by. It's something you already are one with, in fact. Thus any efforts to "do it right" would be overexertion. Any effort to make it a verb as in the phrase "to live" would be - according to Lu -preposterous. Because you already are living. That is why it is futile to try so hard to see it, to try so hard to hear it, or try so hard to grasp it. It is yours, young master. You already hold it fast inside you. You were born that way. You can't see it because you are deep inside it. That is why it can't be seen. You can't hear it silly, because YOU are it. You need not reach for it, young master because it is simultaneously filling and encompassing you.

You can't grasp the ocean but you can sail it to your heart's content. That is what life is like in essence. So I think he is saying that if one understands this they will be able to really live for they will not always be caught up in the overexertion of their own futile efforts to do the undoable.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter 33

Knowing others is intelligence;knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength;mastering yourself is true power.

If you realize that you have enough,you are truly rich.

If you stay in the centerand embrace death with your whole heart,you will endure forever.

Knowing others is intelligence. A person with the kind of intelligence we are considering here is very cognitive of her (or his) surroundings. This person isn't too introverted that she doesn't posses proper insight into the motives. needs, skills, and desires or those around her, those she works with and those with which she lives and interacts. She lets her understanding of a person guide her interactions with them but not so rigidly so that she doesn't leave them any space to teach her more about themselves so that her view of and relationship with them is well rounded and progressive. Knowing others is a potent skill that the business savy person possesses. Take for example a music producer who's job it is to hand pick talented individuals to promote and produce to the world in hopes that their music is well received and highly profitable. The producer would be wise to study and gain massive knowledge of others so he can make an informed decision. A producer with this skill would be able to take an artist's new track list and after a listen pick out that one song pre-released as a "single" which effectivelt wets the appetite of the fans, thus boosting sales of the actual record.

Knowing yourself is true wisdom. This too is a lost art. How you view yourself is key to how you treat the world around you. If you understand your own strong points and follies you will know how to reign them in. You will know how to control your own strengths and protect your weaknesses. In this way your behavior will be greatly shaped. Because you know how to understand yourself you can see how what you think and do effects the world around you. Thus if you take yourself seriously you will apply all the wisdom grace has afforded you to all interpersonal and personal situations. In other words you will be on your way to becoming wise indeed, not just in your own head or social circle.

Mastering others is strength. Mastering your awarness of what makes people, people, what makes a person unique, and what makes a certian group of people behave a certian way is strength indeed and very useful potential power. Think about how various individuals who have risen to power over masses. These individuals understood what made the people tick, what their needs where, what they desired and what the blind spots where. Need I say more? I could say this: Be careful of who knows you the best; be careful who you let know the inner workings of your soul.


Mastering yourself is true power. Indeed! ones nearly infinite potential is power beyond comprehension for the few with the gall and tenacity to master it.

If you realize that you have enough,you are truly rich. So true, but few realize this profound truth. Contentment isn't THAT hard to attain. Rather it's secret lies in your perspective. First SLOOOOOW down. Then become more cognitive of those around you, realizing just how well you do have it. Then understand yourself and what makes you happy. Thus you will begin to see how wealthy you are in the terms that really matter.

If you stay in the centerand embrace death with your whole heart,you will endure forever. What can I say here? Hmmm. The key to this pasage lies in the acknowledgement of one's own fleeting mortality and the letting go of one's futile resistance to the matter. With your whole heart stay centered on what really counts in life, letting go of regrets and your powerless wishes to live forever. If you pass through life peacefully cognitive of your own mortality you will have succesfully freed yourself to reach out for what really matters in life thus leaving your mark on the world that will far outlive your body. Take one of my most frequently used phrases: "Life's too short to put off...."

Chapter Eight

(As you may have noticed I will not be posting the chapters in order. Every morning I read at random as I am seeking tranquility to immerse myself in for the day. Sorry, I just like to be surprised that way. )

Chapter 8
The supreme good is like water,which nourishes all things without trying to.It is content with the low places that people disdain. Thus it is like the Tao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don't try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete,everybody will respect you.

The very first statement of this chapter is to me one that in practice becomes quite joyously obvious. When you are making big decisions selflessly and wisely you will in actuality be directly effecting the world around you. You would be putting into action the simple but powerful principle of benefiting all by doing good. By making wise choices selflessly you inevitably benefit all with for greater good. One who consciously operates his/her life by this principle will always, on one level or another, have the greater good in mind. This person is aware of how powerful one individual's influence can be for either negative or positive. They are conscious of there own power to create change in the world around them and they understand that one simple act of kindness (or malice) can and will go along way.

The second statement if this chapter points out how the wise are comfortable with taking a position of humility when necessary for accomplishing that which benefits all for the greater good despite the level of discomfort he/she must endure, despite the lack of respect, and even despite the lack of gratitude. One who has the self composure to meekly endure those times of "low places that people disdain" even for the good of the very ones who disdain them will always have my deepest respect and gratitude.

Moving on to the second set of verses here we find the learned wisdom of Lu-Tzu directing us to live practically. "Live close to the ground" I assume you might put into other words- "Keep you head out of the clouds" or "Keep your mind firmly grounded on reality".

"In thinking. keep to the simple" I like this statement a lot because it is SO needed in today's first world media of talking heads and analyst and self-proclaimed experts of all manner of things. Keep to the simple. There is no need to over complicate a matter with over thinking, over-analyzing, or too much insertion of your own opinion. Simply state the facts, simple consider them, then simply speak or act.

Next we have "In conflict, be fair and generous" Another indication that humility is a virtue becoming to the gentle master of his own ambitions. And I believe one who puts this thought into action will find his conflicts resolved faster and smoother.

"In governing, don't try to control." Ahhhh how I wish many leaders I knew growing up had received this thought with a teachable heart. Governing is like conducting a symphony. Notice when you watch a conductor how he gently but assertively directs his musicians. You never see him standing over the violinist wrapping his head with his stick and shouting "I want you to play it this way!"
He never makes them do their work, he guides them. He leads them and they follow.

"In work, do what you enjoy." This is my favorite bit of wisdom in this passage.
Coming from a working class background where work is a means of survival not at all to be considered a treat or an indulgence this line is a bright light to me. As I grow personally I am more and more convinced that this is the most basic and most needed of all credos to follow. We live but a few years and most of the time is spent working to provide for oneself so we can continue on in our current state, if we are lucky. Why not, I pray you explain, should those years of otherwise bitter toil be spent engaging in a craft, a trade, yay even a passion that you were born for as a means of that survival? Why should life ever be lived any other way? For me there is no other way. If I cannot provide the necessary means of living through my hearts work than I will put my hand to work doing good elsewhere as a means of living. The rest of my time will be spent doing the good of my heart- fulfilling my talents and passions with the intent to benefit the greater good.

"In family life, be completely present." If this line needs explanation than you are in serious need of counseling. I will say however: Don't let your life or loved one's life pass you by without mending any torn relations. Seize you time on this planet to benefit their greater good in every way necessary. For all you know next time you may be the one in need of their selfless choices to benefit the greater good and you will have already sown your good seed that will be remembered by a loving hand in your darkest hour.

The last verse I will let you re-read if you need to. This verse deals with self identity and respect. I can say from experience that this is a very true statement. One must be content with him/herself in order to be good at being oneself. How are people going to respect one who doesn't respect him/herself? How are you going to be effective as an individual if you do not have even the gumption to be true to your own nature and personality? Be assertive in what makes you, you. Don't EVER apologize for being yourself. People will notice and even envy you for it but they will always respect you.