stan herman

Here's what I see as a more contemporaryversion> 80. In the heartland people work who are the heart of the country and would not choose to be its mind even if they could. In the heartland there is space between places, and people's labors provide what they need. Here people live simply and have small use for show, might, or the newest baubles of technology and fashion. Although other places can be reached easily, people preferred to stay at home.

Great Reminder! In more ways than one. Reminded me of the old saw, "There's no free lunch"--just think of the price the yogurt must ultimately pay

There's another way of considering Henricks' last 2 lines--in the Buddhist Abhidhama or the non-spoken Tao sense. From these perspectives the superior person places no special value on this life.

Nicely said and right on. Yes indeed, enjoy the ride!

Sinfest, is it ok to copy the cartoons and send them around? If so, whats the best way to copy? I look forward to seeing some of your own--and soon, I hope.

I like the points of view both of you (Marble & Myth) bring to this. If one is to continue to play the game of living-in-the-world as a human being I can hardly imagine doing so without having feelings and thoughts about people and events near to you. Seems to me the trick is to recognize those thoughts and feelings without clinging to them as the only righteous view, not denying them.

56. Those who hold wisdom do not scatter words. Those who scatter words do not hold wisdom. Being, quietly, without explanation, releasing one's hold, untangling ones ties, clearing ones head, accustoming one's vision, grounding one's self, These are the means of Tao The one unswayed by passion, profit or praise is champion. Following the way, he has become the way. 81. Words that express truth are simple and few. Subtle expressions may render art but not truth. The person who is confident need not argue to convince others or herself. The person bent on making convincing arguments, delivered in an elaborate manner, is unlikely to be confident. The one who knows the fact, need not expound the theory. She does not sow or harvest words. She gives kindness to others and herself feels grateful. She shares her gifts with others and is not diminished. She lives a life in which her achievements are many, and she claims no credit.

52. Words are the beginning of the world. Words form thoughts and thoughts make things. But, what is there before words? The womb, the bowl, the emptiness, containing all. When one is on fire with words, smothered by thoughts, entangled in things, reality becomes obscured by smoke. For a moment set aside your words and thoughts and things. Cherish emptiness for it quenches the fire of words and clears the view. Then you will know the whole, emptiness and fullness. The one who knows the whole may use it all, the visible and concealed, present and future, action and non-action. With such advantage you will never lose.

It's helpful only if it's simple and brief. When it becomes complex and elaborate it obscures--the water muddy and turbulent. People become more involved in explanations than experience. Practicing toward a clear mind is better. For example: "What is the difference between Dhyana and Samadhi? Dhyana is the effort to be mentally free from any attachment to outer objects. Samadhi is the realisation of that freedom in inward peace. If we are attached to outer objects the inner mind will be perturbed." What is the usefulness of such a distinction? One could then readily distinguish between types of Samadhi, variations in the efforts of Dhyana. . . And the more distinctions occupying the mind, the further the drift away from experience.

We do make this matter so complicated, so difficult to understand. I suppose that's necessary in order to keep the conversations gong But at a point its simplicity should be respected and given due. Though it's less obscure and mysterious, it's useful to own the simplicity as a base against which to test each piece of complexity.

These are all preachments and they are useful--to a point. However, as the Buddha says in the Diamond sutra, they are all 'ways of speaking', not the unvarying facts--merely attempts to communicate distinctions in rough approximations.

test

Thus, the ego is not to be eliminated, but to be managed. 71. Behold the important person. She displays her scholarship and pretends to know. Behold the one beside her She speaks little, but when she does, all listen. That one knows how little she knows. Recognize the symptoms of self-importance promptly, For quick relief: two aspirin of humor (a laugh at yourself is preferable) and continue. For long-lasting correction: bust your own games, burn your own covers. Clear seeing is the cure.

Sure, many people have even more answers than there are questions.

Ohhh you should have--it was worthy

Another version for your entertainment The mightiest lakes and seas are always at the lower places of the earth. By being low they accept all that flows to them from higher places and are so enriched. A leader with true humility, who has no fear of seeming low, has no requirement to station himself high. He too accepts all that flows to him and perceives its value. A modest leader can follow the direction of his followers and discern its worth. When he directs his followers his direction is in harmony with theirs. Appreciating each follower's needs he seldom impedes.

Yes, but are we taking Confucius sufficiently in to account? The body without title must lead the people back to the original body, before the title was changed. Or did I get that wrong? It's a loose day for me

Tao began by taking itself very seriously. As an infant Lao Tzu was born with a full head of white hair to show he was actually an old man who demanded respect! Later when he got imto advertising he tried to loosen up, but it was very difficult for him. There was always this thing in the back of his mind about his father, who was a star, and very demanding. He tried psychoanalysis for a while, but Freud was still young and inexperienced in that incarnation so it didn't help much. Finally, though he really didn't believe in such things, he started looking for a guru, and he found this young beauty who he became very attached to, and then one night she said, "Mello out L. Easy does it." So he tried that, and it worked. and there you are. . . or you would be if you followed his example.

Me too, except their ghosts linger on.

Response #1: " Tao is trivia. An intellectual play thing." Absolutely correct. Response #2: "Even as low level philosophical taoists I think we need to focus on Tao as Path; a way of being..." Absolutely correct. Response #17: So there you are