Gaia: Reiki Tree - Reiki Creativity! - Tao Te Ching

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:38:30 GMT

Lovely!

Looks like I need to get back to business on this post! :)

Re: Tao Te Ching - 10

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:53:08 GMT

Tao Te Ching like fingers pointing at the moon
discribes the Way of being offering only clues
to be interputed in anyway along our unique
and individual paths of development... When
in actuallity the truth of it to often escapes us.

Emulating a spring emerging from a mountain
flowing far from a deep source Celestial Unity
nurtured in darkness with caring and warmth
cultivating both inside and outside, original
generative energy giving birth to all beings
celestial primal virture arising through
the inward development of character
integrated with the celestial design
unconsciously following the laws of God
this happens spontaniously without forced
effort as easily as turning over the palm
of one's hand eternally free of the inimical
temporally conditioned human mentality
from false darkness return to the true
darkness of innocence returning
recalcitrant yin to submission

"The path of noncontrivance nurtures the darkness of reality;
the path of striving transforms the darkness of falsehood."

"Nurturing reality, transforming falsehood, striving and nonstriving,
are to be used according to the time and situation, as appropriate.
One may proceed from striving and wind up nonstriving, or one
may succeed in striving by way of nonstriving. In either case the
ultimate accomplishment is to use the highest good, without evil,
wholly integrated with natural principle, to go back to the origin,
return to the fundamental, and revert to innocence. Those who
travel the path of darkness must do so in the correct way."

The Taoist I-Ching

There are many reasons why to begin a spiritual practice.
Perhaps the methods are not so important as the result
and yet if our only aim is to become all powerful masters
of reality I fear we miss the most essential point, humility
is lost, harmony disrupted and balance goes down the
tubes. Brief and momentary awakenings into higher
consciousness are easy enough to attain, yet next to
impossible to sustain. That is why we are advised to seek
a middle way, where it is said all things become possible
without trying, without doing, without striving or effort.
This state of equanimity is known to some, for want of
a better term, as the mind of Tao.

A deep and abiding spiritual practice will bare fruit, however
should we not first question our primary objective, examine
first our own inner landscape before presuming that we
are somehow in control of this mundane reality. Or is it
the Tao moves through us if only we allow it - at ease
in our own mind?

"When emotions have not yet emerged, that is called balance;
when they are active yet all in proportion, that is called harmony."

The Book of Balance and Harmony

Re: Tao Te Ching - 10

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:52:05 GMT

Absolutely!

I like Stephen's best, too! :)

Love
Dana

Re: Tao Te Ching - 10

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:22:57 GMT

I like the fact that you have included several various
tranlations, although I would say the Stephen Mitchell
version speaks best to me, the comparisons can be
quite instructive. Isin't it strange that we would spend
our entire life just for this one moment of awakening:
To return to the begining by operating in reverse.
And yet we carry with us all our expectations of some
final destination when all along it is the journey
which matters most.

Re: Tao Te Ching - 9

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:57:10 GMT

"Do your work and then step back.
The only path to serenity."

Yes this is true as long as we are able
to get out of our own way and allow
spirit to flow through us.

And yet we are constantly managing content assuming
that this is who we are... Much talk merely adds to the
problem. It is only by finding the truth within our own
experience that we know what it means to be open
and free in this moment. It is said that Feelings and
Essence are the key to harmony and balance.
Feelings represent receptivity and rectitude
in stillness whereas Essence is the presence
of benevolence and compassion in action...

Re: Tao Te Ching - 10

http://Raz.gaia.com — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:31:08 GMT

in, stillness, in music, in, love, in, detail, in, in voice, in, meditation, in relation, in open creation there is no out :

"too turn inside is not turn at all"

w i d e open

- y e s - w e - c a n -

- n o - w e - c a n -

- yes... we... can...

-no... we... can...

-yes... you... can...

-no... you... can...

yes... I... can...

no... I... can...

y e s ... i ... c a n ...

n o . . . i . . . c a n . . .

m e v l a n a . O . M . K .

- = * w i d e o p e n * = -

1 last door that we never enter... Only view in too... the forbidden zone will take you home 2 re-start in a new body part. Be aware... please do not care to be curious enough to enter here... Total bliss but total unaware. A . K . A step in to the pure light and lett go of all blight. Existenz is resistance... how ever tiny it may be... hold on to peace as letting go of that last resisting part is to forever depart and restart again and again and again... Untill You learn how to resist in a propper, aware play... Have a good forever night and day =) and we all hope that you will forever stay.

yes 1 can

no, 1 can

yes 3 can

no, 2 can

yes 4 can

no, 5 can

yes 6 can

no, 7 can

yes 8 can

no, 9 can

yes 10 can

no, 11 can

yes 12 can

no, 13 can

yes 14 can

no, 15 can

yes 16 can

no, 17 can

yes 18 can

no, 19 can

no, 20 can

yes 18 can

yes 1, 8t can

no 1, 8t can

yes 2o, 8t can

no, 2o, 8t can

yes space can

no can

yes 1 space 8 can

yes u can

no, u can

yes can

no can

can

c a n

c a

c as in k. not as in see. enter solid abstrakt me in paradox 2( o0o ) unity and be 3ee( c )

meditation . com pleate...

re start and re peat

Re: Tao Te Ching - 10

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:30:50 GMT

10. Embracing the One

In embracing the One with your soul,
   Can you never forsake the Tao?
In controlling your vital force to achieve gentleness,
   Can you become like the new-born child?
In cleansing and purifying your Mystic vision,
   Can you strive after perfection?
In loving the people and governing the kingdom,
   Can you rule without interference?
In opening and shutting the Gate of Heaven,
   Can you play the part of the Female?
In comprehending all knowledge,
   Can you renounce the mind?

******************************
This is a beautiful example of "doing" without attachment, and I am seeing that a lot in the Tao. Can we become leaders without pushing our will on others? Can we bring up a child, yet allow that child to have his/her own identity? Can we do a job without being attached to the outcome?

Be that leaf in the river. :)

Loving you
Dana
******************************

Ten

Carrying body and soul and embracing the one,
Can you avoid separation?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman?
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Virtue.

******************************

10

Can you coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness?
Can you let your body become
supple as a newborn child's?
Can you cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light?
Can you love people and lead them
without imposing your will?
Can you deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course?
Can you step back from you own mind
and thus understand all things?

Giving birth and nourishing,
having without possessing,
acting with no expectations,
leading and not trying to control:
this is the supreme virtue.

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:12:43 GMT

Ooh, yes, sweetie, I can relate to that! Simplicity is the key. I have noticed that the journey is the most beautiful part...cause when we get there, there we are, and we're done. The JOURNEY, though...now that's the gorgeous part. :)

Loving you, Cathy!

Hugs
Dana

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://runinl8x.gaia.com — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:56:44 GMT

I too am working my way back to simplicity, from wanting; it feels good, but something I need to remember is that it is all part of the process.

Re: Tao Te Ching - 9

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:59:05 GMT

9. The Danger of Overweening Success

Stretch (a bow) to the very full,
   And you will wish you had stopped in time.
Temper a (sword-edge) to its very sharpest,
   And the edge will not last long.
When gold and jade fill your hall,
   You will not be able to keep them safe.
To be proud with wealth and honor
   Is to sow seeds of one's own downfall.
Retire when your work is done,
   Such is Heaven's way.

***********************

Simplicity seems to be key here; I see that wanting too much is a sickness and a domino effect that never ends...can one ever have "enough", when she is not "enough" within? Live not to get, but to be. Everything changes. Go with the flow.

A friend of mine says he is like a leaf in a river...he just goes where he goes, and there he is. That's a beautiful life! I admire him for that. Life is enough.

Love
Dana

***********************

Nine

Better to stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.

***********************

9

Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:58:36 GMT

Quite some time has passed since this project
first began and with each passing day we draw
closer to the remote by the near at hand...
Who we are through this process of awakening
'none but the wise can say ' - Rise up then, like
the movement of thunder irrepressible from
beneath the earthly to activate the energy of will
with firmness and efficacy to act decisively at
this moment of emergce upon the path of
harmonious action producing happiness...

"If one can accord with the time, then the promotion of strength
can be correct, and the use of intelligence can be appropriate:
The firing process does not go wrong, the measure of the
elements is regulated, haste and relaxation are in order, advance
and withdrawal accord with the appropriate time and measure;
reaching effortless by way of effort, there is no problem of losing
what has been gained."

I Ching

Now the imprecations are clear those of us who ears to hear
will see the truth of it... "When one acts in accord with the time,
the yang energy is expansive, like thunder going out of the earth
and rising forcefully into the sky, startling an area of a hundred
miles with its rumble, so that all demons flee. The life-giving
potential continues increasing, and the earth is always covered
with yellow sprouts, the world blooms with golden flowers.
Wherever one may walk, everywhere is the Tao. No happiness
is more delightful than this." Unfortunately few are they who
are interested in this truthful practice in spirit.

The I Ching was never intended as a tool for devination but as
a tool for teaching this balance of earthly and celestial harmony.
It is by this firing process that we are givien the means of
insight into self mastery.

"Innate knowledge is rooted in heaven, and belongs to the order
of life; innate capacity is rooted in earth, and belongs to to nature."

"Upon mixture with temporal conditioning, innate knowledge and
turns into artificial knowledge, innate capacity turns into artifcial
capacity; the earthly and the celestial out of harmony, firmness
and flexibility are out of balance, so nature becomes deranged
and life is destabilized, losing the natural endowment of simplicity
and readiness of heaven and earth, losing the innate goodness of
knowledge and capacity."

"Modification to simplicity and readiness means that knowledge
and capacity are in their innate condition of innocence."

When this happens there is no question of right and wrong,
before or after, past or future because all is contained within
the present moment.

Illumination is not some fanciful illusion of someday tomorrow.

"The practice of virtue is the study of body and mind, nature and life.
It is a very refined and subtle science, in which the slightest deviation
can produce an enormous loss. It can be accomplished only by
constancy and consistancy, thoroughly investigationg its principles,
fulfilling nature and arriving at the meaning of life."

"What does light illumine? It simply illumines the inherent quality
of open awareness without obscurity."

True enlightenment is continuing light that illumines not only
the inward but extends outward to reach the four quaters.

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 18:11:22 GMT

"Striving and nonstriving each has its secret; the distinction
is all a matter of the absence of the human mentality and
the presence of mindfulness of the Tao."

Stillness reigns supreme
unaffected senitivity
without force
feeling returns
to essential nature
the heart mind of creation
open awareness unobscured
strength expressed with flexibility
integrated with the celestial principle
true yin and true yang subtly commune
preserving the mind of Tao with sensitivity
without vascilation tranquil and imperturbable
yet sensitive and effective... the mind of human
mentality is not the real mind; "the mind that
is not mind is called the true mind..."
spontanious nonconscious sensitivity
the substance of joyfulness is stillness
the function of stillness is joy
effective practice endures
mindful of the Tao

"You cannot say that the nonconsciousness of a dead tree
or clod ashes is the develpmental path of sensitivity,,,"

"The mind of Tao is a mind that is not minding."

I Ching

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:31:56 GMT

The turth is somewhere if we knew but where...

As it is said, "The advancement of yang

is aimed at fidelity to truth, because there

is vanity and falsehood; fidelity that is not

right does things on the basis of the human

mind, acting in pursuit of personal desires.

Then the medicinal substances are not genuine,

the firing process is amiss - how can one

complete the great path? Therefore the path

of fedelity, in which creatin and development

are inherent, is most beneficial when correctly

oriented; only then is it genuine fidelity,

without error."

But the old ways are said to be archaic and
out dated, there is a new awakening that is
given upon the winds of sometime tomorrow.

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:49:50 GMT

it is interesting the flow
this state of being
said to be neither form
nor void the unspoken bliss
of complete understanding
without words...

It is said that in the stilling of yang
those who have not yet died
must first learn to die...
responding to others with openness
false yin retreats - deeping develpment
true yang remains strength used with
clarity preserving yang by yin
nurturing true yang repelling
false yin - stopping false yang
submitting to true yin
inconspiculous within the ordinary
world openness is consummated
staying in the appropriate place
tranquility remains pure
cultivating advance practice
like the sky covering everything
with no image of self or others
being like others in a wilderness
crossing great rivers seeing afar
by means of illumination inwardly
not losing oneself outwardly not
hurting others strength and
illumination acting together
firmness and flexibility
in balance and harmony
the advance ment of yang
that is aimed at fidelity to
truth...

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 18:22:00 GMT

The Tao is seldom what it seems...

"The mind of Tao is subtle,
the human mind is insecure."

Li Daoqun

Lineless Signs

Working the firing process
the five elements
constitute the five virtues
the path of following nature
practing the teachings of the Tao
has a natural course in essence
does not require forced effort

within the appropriate proportion
humanity, courtesy, truthfulness,
knowledge and justice
preserving universal harmony intact
administering the way
assisting in its balance
the mutual generation of one energy
overcoming the five elements
preserving the primordial complete
dissolving acquired conditioning
it will not do to cling to one virtue
at the expense of the others

"The crossing of great rivers is that whereby inner
nurturance and outer effectiveness is accomplished."

Taoist I Ching

What does it mean to accomplish the will of God
and achieve good works in the world?

"Distinquish midnight and noon within unmarked time,
determine Heaven and Earth in lineless signs."

"You should know that you may need a raft to cross a
river, but you do not need a boat when you get to the
other shore; when you have caught the fish forget the
net, when you have caught the rabit, forget the trap."

"I say the those born knowing realize on their own
without seeking, hit the mark without trying - they
do not need inductive teachings, so the hightest type
of spirtual alchemy does not use signs or lines."

Li Daoqun

"Spirit is essence, energy is life; when spirit does
not run outside, energy is naturally stable."

"Unify your energy and make it flexible, and the spirit
will be permanently stabilized."

"This is not done in a day and a night. This is our original
reality, not a technique."

Liu Cao

Re: Tao Te Ching

http://letsmovetogether.gaia.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:12:40 GMT

One day we, my daughter and I, were talking on the way to the park...and then she said "no, mama, God is God, not a he or a she"....she was 4.

when we see one thing as beautiful, the other becomes ugly
because of the dark, we understand the light
when we can accept the things that we can't change and have the courage to be the change we want....that is the Tao

Salute to the Nameless and the Formless
Salute to the One that comes in many names and takes many forms
At Your lotus feet

Re: Tao Te Ching - 8

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:11:54 GMT

Notes on daily practice...

the thing is this work is a process
easy to understand but difficult
to impliment, we must each of us find
our center of balance in our
own unique and individual way
on one can do this work for us
getting caught up in concepts and
meanings is merely another way
of clinging to the past, living words
do not exist in any book, concepts
and images are no more than
fingers pointing at the moon
and yet we must continue
to express the depths of
who we are in spirit
poetry can give the image
of an idea of fleeting being
but it is this willingness to hold
to the center that makes the difference
inner work shared with silence...
in daily practice

~*~*~
The following is from a discussion on daily practice
from an individual perspective...

yep deliberate joy is the choice
we are all free to choose...

Like mountains under the sky
being inaccessible without hiding
heaven can contain mountains
yet not even mountains may reach
and touch the sky - how much more so
for minds lost in daily concerns
not nearly so large or high

"Only when practioners of the Tao have the capacity
to contain moutains, as it were, can they sustain
the heavenly practice and cultivate the heaven Tao."

~*~

"When people bring trouble on themseves,
being injured by petty people, it is because of being
intollerant and narrow."

"Tollerant of everyone, they live in the world without
distroying it, they are in midst of the mundane yet
can transcend the mundane,"

"They are not disliked by petty people, yet as their
self-discipline and conduct are beyond the ordinary,
and because they are conscientious, lesser people
avoid them even though they themselves do not try to
aviod lesser people."

"To understand when to proceed and when to withdraw,
to know when to stop at sufficentcy, is not something
of which the ignorant are capable. To know when to
hasten and when to relax, to be aware of what bodes
well and what bodes ill, calls for the judgement of
an adept."

"Just as rulers have directives that they announce
to the four quarters, sages have classic writings that
they use to teach later generations. They leave classic
writings in the world for later generations, and
students who hear them are stirred, those who read them
are inspired. Even a hundred generations later people
are roused and come face to face with the sages."

These are indications for hexagrams 44 and 33, an
interesting contrast containing only one changing
line #2. But as you can see each person will get only
as much as they are ready to hear out of the three
book interputations. See pages 269, 279 and 312
and most importantly 320 to the end. Can seem a little
harsh as by shutting out negative influences but it
sounds a whole lot like the advice you provide to me
from time to time. Much appreciated... ;)

Saying, "False followers of Taoism in the world who
are small minded and intollerant and get irritated
and angry at every encounter and confrontation are
naturally disliked and avoided by petty people, but
they are never free of obsticals."

I Ching

Sound like anyone we know?

Re: Tao Te Ching - 8

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:48:03 GMT

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.

Truer words were never spoken
and yet without determination
and discipline in spiritual practice
how would we hold their meaning?

Return to the Source

"When the primordial is gathered together, essence is stabilized

and life is solidified."

"If you know but do not act on it, it is the same as not knowing."

"The value of knowledge is only in its application."

"But the way to make a great sacrafice and bring about good fortune

cannot be accomplished by a moment of emptiness; it is necessary

to tread the ground of reality step after step before one can achieve

it."

"Correcting self and correcting others, inwardly thoughts do not arise,

and externals do not enter: Inside and out are one single rectitude -

benevolence, justice, courtesy, and knowledge are all based on

truthfulness."

"A great person is one who corrects self and corrects others. Cor-

recting self, there is no ego; spirit and energy do not dissipate, and

rectitude becomes the self. Correcting others, there are no

personalities; character and constitution are sublimated, and

rectitude becomes people."

"When negative, weak, indecisive, not distinguishing right from

wrong, sometimes believing one thing, sometimes another,

people become disorderly and form into mobs, believing what

they shouldn't, rallying around what they shouldn't..."

"If you know disorderly mobing is of no benefit, 'cry' in regret,

and approach true teachers, once one is guided by them and

given direction in the darkness, you will understand that the

Tao is not far from people, but what people do for the Tao

estranges people. First you cry, then you laugh. Directly attain-

ing understanding, you need not grieve; going right ahead to

assemble the five elements and combine the four signs, why

worry that you will not reach the state of impeccability? This

is gathering in the sense of reforming error and returning to

what is correct."

And yet, "when activity enters into stillness, creative energy

temporarily rests, and repose is necessary."

The Taoist I Ching

Retreating into darkness
resting when it is time to rest
at the hour of darkness
when the killing force is strong
using stillness to nurture creativity
awaiting the proper time to emerge
not daring to act arbitrarily
when the vivifying force is weak
first be still before you act
the active following the passive
the passive then follows the active
taking over this mechanism is
imperceptible to anyone...
return to the source

Prepare the tools of wisdom
guard against the unexpected
dissolve the influence
of personal history
once the primordial
has been congealed
the jewel of life undamaged
autonomous presence of mind
silent operation of spiritual awareness

Re: Tao Te Ching - 8

http://alaynacole.gaia.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:51:43 GMT

8. Water

The best of men is like water;
   Water benefits all things
   And does not compete with them.
It dwells in (the lowly) places that all disdain -
   Wherein it comes near to the Tao.

In his dwelling, (the Sage) loves the (lowly) earth;
In his heart, he loves what is profound;
In his relations with others, he loves kindness;
In his words, he loves sincerity;
In government, he loves peace;
In business affairs, he loves ability;
In his actions, he loves choosing the right time.
It is because he does not contend
That he is without reproach.
************************************

Our greatest potential is to live a life of simplicity...no striving for excellence is necessary to live a completely fulfilled life. Lack of competition, fighting, and blame in me inspires compassion, love and acceptance in others.

Wow.

************************************

Eight

The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.

In dwelling, be close to the land.
In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In daily life, be competent.
In action, be aware of the time and the season.

No fight: No blame.

************************************

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.

Re: Tao Te Ching 7

http://onesourceenlightment.gaia.com — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 16:06:37 GMT

Understanding of spirit is up to the individual

being receptive yet advancing like the wind

where utter emptiness beckons fulfillment

producing light in the openness within

unshakable and unwavering as a mountain

cultivation of virtue and character lies in oneself

Where what is sought is what is right

what is fulfilled is what is important

conquer oneself then return to true order

original open awareness without obscurity

unconstrained by action or stillness

what does it mean to taste

enlightened qualities? to be embued

with the qualities of benevolence and justice?

unless we are willing to seek this on our own,

not relying on others, we traffic only in illusions

what does it mean to be outwardly unnoticable

but free from inward obscurity, concealment

of illumination? to face the unenlightened

with enlightenment acting unobtrusively

so that there is inner light in outer darkness

where the temperment spontaniously sublimates

the real nature is revealed nipping insidious

inroads of conditioning in the bud...

clarity applied with understanding

not losing oneself, neither does one

turn away from others building up virtue

accumilating good deeds without difficulty

undimmed by the shroud of material desires

knowing the white yet keeping to the black

If you don't walk in the footsteps, how will you

enter the room... where there is no sweetness

in the midst of bitterness, discipline

becomes painful weak and infirm

there are those who stop thoughts and

extinquish their minds, those who forget

about everything including their own bodies

who are weak and not throughly effective

those who meditate on the spirit and enter

into trance though they are disciplined

they court calamity and danger instead

with no benefit to essence and life

vain and insubstantial attempting forced

manipulations unable to humble oneself

indulging in guesswork and personalistic

interputations imagining rapid advance

using one's own intelligence alone

wishing to climb to the heights yet

not thoroughly investigating true principle

unable to accomplish that which is rare in the world

where one comprehension applies to everything

where falsehood is done away with and truth is kept

we use understanding to break through delusion

to clarify the quality of illumination and to nurture reality

resting in the hightest good this then is the path

of nonstiving spontanity being responsive to

everything in an adaptive way

'Under standing stillness and staying in the proper place,

stabilizing illumination so that it is not damaged, when

illumination and stillness are used together one can

thereby transend the world while in the world."

"If one is incapable of self-examination, one will not have

self-mastery, and will be subject to manipulation ; every

act, every step, will entail danger and difficulty, will

involve injury to life. Only by self-examination can one

abandon the false and enter the real; not being deluded

by externals, with every step one's feet tread the real

ground and virtue can be cultivated."

"So 'it is profitable to see a great person' simply means

it is beneficial to see the mind of Tao."

I Ching

Where it is profitable to see a great person

it is said that innocence is auspicious

because a 'great person' is one who has not lost

the mind of a child, has no greed or ambition

does not discriminate or cognize; the mind of Tao

no longer seduced by the human mentality