Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is more destructive?
. . .
Translation of the Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Layer upon layer
She finds deep in her own experience the central truths of the art of living, which are paradoxical only on the surface: that the more truly solitary we are, the more compassionate we can be; the more we let go of what we love, the more present our love becomes; the clearer our insight into what is beyond good and evil, the more we can embody the good. Until finally she is able to say, in all humility, "I am the Tao, the Truth, the Life." S. Mitchell
Translation of the Tao Te Ching by Stephen Mitchell, Harper & Row, 1988. In keeping with copyright law only the chapter under study is fulltext. All other chapters show only the first stanza.
Study Group Contac: Lissa Lord:lissalord@gmail.com
Tao in WordLayers
Layer upon layer
Tao 44 is a reminder that nothing in this world can complete us. Only recognition of the spiritual self satisfies our deepest longing. Knowing where peace and serenity are and where they are not is a major life lesson. “Know when to stop” (44 in several translations). Paradoxically, satisfaction comes when we stop clinging to the physical world. Rather than using a grabbing hand to hold people and things, open your hand to what is. Accept that what you thought completed you in fact does not. Wealth of money and possessions can turn gone in an instant. People leave, move on to do what is theirs to do—that does not include you. Take heart, co-dependence need not be forever; addiction can become recovery; your job can become what you want to do. Self becomes your best friend who will ride the years with you and never leave. Life teaches us this and the Tao speaks of this.
ReplyDeleteNot too long ago a man here in the Kansas City area attempted a seemingly noble gesture. He witnessed a thief stealing a womans purse. He intervened to prevent the theft of the purse and its contents. The thief killed the man. He left a wife and new born baby without a father. Very sad. One of my customers held a fund raiser for the widowed wife and child. This was one of those hit you in the face hard examples of the Tao.
ReplyDeleteHi small fish . . .please tell me how you saw the Tao in your comment. I know I should "get it" but I don't. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat was more important was the man's wife and new born child, not a purse with money and credit cards. "Bow down and be persevered." Although it seemed noble to try and prevent the crime, his life was more valuable. It is a very sad situation, when I heard the story this chapter came right to me. I could see myself trying to do something similar, but would gladly replace the lost cash and give a ride home instead.
ReplyDelete