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Chapter of the Week: #59 [Archive]
well, I'll throw my 2 cents worth out first:
I think they should let the poor woman die-we are so afraid of losing what we have, of giving up any of our 'possessions', people and things...
-this is just another example of our selfishness-of our fear of death which is reeally fear of life...longer they keep her alive, more money they'll make off her as well...
the powers that be constantly ignore living wills and people's last wishes-I hope I have friends brave enough to just go in and pull the plug and face the consequences, should it come to that...
I think they should let the poor woman die-we are so afraid of losing what we have, of giving up any of our 'possessions', people and things...
-this is just another example of our selfishness-of our fear of death which is reeally fear of life...longer they keep her alive, more money they'll make off her as well...
the powers that be constantly ignore living wills and people's last wishes-I hope I have friends brave enough to just go in and pull the plug and face the consequences, should it come to that...
Comments
Note: The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.
Chapter 59
In ruling the people and in serving heaven it is best for a ruler to be sparing.
It is because he is sparing
That he may be said to follow the way from the start;
Following the way from the start he may be said to accumulate an abundance of virtue;
Accumulating an abundance of virtue there is nothing he cannot overcome;
When there is nothing he cannot overcome, no one knows his limit;
He can possess a state;
When he possess the mother of a state
He can then endure.
This is called the way of deep roots and firm stems by which one lives to see many days.
When I judge others I'm "injuring and using" them, at least in spirit, to bolster my own position. Once I target the 'enemy' I easily become rash and shortsighted as I pigeon hole 'her/him/it'. While this can feel good, or at least empowering at first, I've come to realized an unseen consequence. The judgements I make, and the extremes I go to, become my limit. That limit possesses me, becoming a barrier that I can't overcome ? I'm the judge, the jury, the prison, the guard and the prisoner all rolled into one.
What to do? What to do? First, following the way from the start means being honest with myself enough to realize this instinctive trait is just that, and thus forever primed to pounce... and once it gets rolling it is hard to stop. The more I am able to be sparing from the start, the easier it becomes to follow the way.
Alas, to be sparing from the start is much [chref=53]easier[/chref] said that done. The key is being mindful enough... to be mindful enough... to be mindful of [chref=14] the shape that has no shape[/chref]. I know, it is weird. Sensing the way of deep roots and firm stems is not unlike attempting to sense the roots of trees which lay out of sight under foot.
If [chref=16]returning to one's roots is known as stillness[/chref], then being still enough in the moment to look for the roots is where the [chref=64]journey[/chref] begins. As Christ put it, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". I like to think of it as we get out of life what we truly want. The problem is we seldom "ask" ourselves what it is that we truly want in life (in the long term). Rather, we get swept away by the [chref=16]myriad[/chref] transient desires and sensual pleasures in the moment.
But seriously, to me to be 'sparing from the start' equals having realistic expectations...
which for me are often NO expectations. Dont want to be disappointed by expecting something to go well, or devasted when it goes badly. so just go into it expecting it to be, what it is and what it will be.
Judging others is impossible, all we are really judging is ourselves. Be sparing in self judgements as well.
'Failing to refrain'-yeah, that speaks to me. I'm getting better at this. Moderation has never been my strong point. Moderation in my ractions to others especially, to their judgements about me.
When it speaks of ?nothing he cannot overcome?, I don?t see this as being about power, like in trying to get ahead in business, or whatever. Rather by embracing reality, following the way, one can accomplish what?s important, because there is less focus on, and interference from, the myriad desires/illusions we all have in our lives.
Also, deep roots and firm stems speak to how things work for me when I?m deeply centered in reality, and mindful about what I?m doing. Then the transitory desires, the difficult interactions, etc. don?t pull me along in their wake. Desires fly by like leaves in the wind ? noticed but not chased after.
I love what Carl said about our judgments becoming our own limits. I find that having compassion for everyone, including myself, helps me to be sparing in my interactions with others, instead of jumping all over them with the way I want things to be. If I?m only focused on what I want/need, there?s little room for understanding of others needs. There?s no recognition on my part that existence is bigger than me and my transitory desires.