Jeff

I think your example of a mother is a good one... She gives love with no expectations of a return exchange. She just gives it. If you expect (or desire) something in return, it is conditional and not freely given.

True love is a giving. Attachment is the expectation or desire for something in return.

Interesting comments in the thread... Anyone want to take a shot at explaining the above story? It is actually similar to Chapter 65.

As Z3N stated, "When anger arrives allow it to come", but try to watch it. Watch it come and go. Watching will help with freeing from the attachment.

This is a great proverb about arrogance... Very clever slap with a stick...

Welcome... Have fun.

Heard a story that might help the discussion... Buddha, Confucius, and Lao Zi decide to get out of the hot sun and go into a bar to talk. A beautiful waitress comes and offers them all free drinks. Buddha declines stating that it is a distraction and wrong and sits quietly. Confucius says it is rude not to take the drink. He takes a little taste and then spends the rest of the day trying to comment about the drink to everyone in the room and never finishes the drink. Lao Zi takes the drink and chugs it. Asks for more and gets drunk while leading everyone in the bar in song. Hope that helps to explain the difference to everyone...

Very wise words...

You need to remember that "cleverness" or "knowledge" is associated with the Ego/Mind. It is perceived as part of the problem in reconnecting with the oneness of Tao. Ruling based on the Ego/Mind leads the people away from "feeling the flow" of Tao. Worrying about a strong economy, does not help one with a deeper connection with Tao. The choice is a materialistic and organized society or a bunch of people trying to connect with God/Tao.

As Z3N stated... Improvement is a concept of the Ego/Mind. We are never really separate from the oneness of Tao. It is more about letting go of "artificial beliefs" than improvement.

Fair point. The "Priests" part would probably would come more from Jesus's perspective. Or "Brahmin" in Hindu. The key point is that the passage is about the "establishment" knowing of the truth, but not "sharing" or helping with understanding, for their personal gain. Established society is a product of the Mind/Ego, not oneness with Tao.

Fiveelementtao, Thanks for the response. I will definitely check out the archives. I would agree with your perspective that "Chakras can only be opened through changes in personality based on life events or upon changes in one's viewpoint of themselves". But, if one perceives "light" in a Chakra, isn't that a form of energy? Do you think it is different (or a different frequency) than Qi/Prana?

A slightly different spin... Trying to put the words in context... In the beginning [the rulers & priests] who knew of Tao did not use it And also kept the knowledge from the people. Why is it so hard for [rulers & priests] to rule? Because [rulers & priests] operate from the Mind/Ego. Rulers who try to use cleverness [of the Mind/Ego] Cheat the country. Those who rule from the natural flow of Tao Are a blessing to the land. These are the two alternatives. Understanding this is the Primal Virtue [Truth]. Primal Virtue is everything. It leads all things back Toward the great oneness [of Tao]. Drop the mind/ego... Feel the flow...

Fiveelementtao, If you are willing to share, I would be very interested in hearing the differences that you have found. As an example, have you found any difference between Qi and Prana? Also, do you think chakras & dan tiens are absolute, or mental frameworks that we impose upon our bodies? Thanks, Jeff

Try to "watch" your thoughts when you feel jealous. Where does the thought originate? Love is not jealous. Desire is jealous.

Inner silence (or sometimes called the "witness state") is always with you. Paying attention to sounds or noise is like chatter in the mind. It just floats by, you decide whether you pay attention to it or not.

Why look to judge or distinguish? Inner silence has no separation.

No one can break your heart but you. The key is to first learn to accept yourself.

Listening to the silence makes it much easier to find yourself.

That is wisdom... Chop wood and buy groceries... Funny thing for me is that I keep finding myself being in a restaurant...

Sounds like we are saying the same thing. "Noting" or watching the thought is a good way to develop presence or "witness" state.