Taoist Philosophy - Chapter 75

[Stigweard]

I think this sums up this thread perfectly:

 

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck..

 

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

 

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full..

 

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water..

 

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do ha lf of what it had been made to do.

 

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

 

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

 

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

 

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

 

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

 

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

 

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

 

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

 

 

SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

 

[Marblehead]

I loved that story the first time I heard it and still enjoy being reminded of it.

 

I think it is a given that we each have our own personal flaws.

 

I also think it is more interesting to look for what we each have that spreads positivity around to others.

[manitou]

As a child.

[3deedit]

I think this sums up this thread perfectly:

 

 

 

SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

 

 

But do not put them in a vase on your table

 

Why ? : Click on the rock crystal pendulum

[Marblehead]

But do not put them in a vase on your table

 

Why ? : Click on the rock crystal pendulum

 

Yeah, I keep flowering plants of some kind growing all year long but rarely do I ever cut them and bring them into the house. The flowers are for others as well as myself to see. If I cut them and bring tem into the house no one else can see them.

[rene]

Indeed, we are told by both Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu that we should unlearn all the 'knowledge' we have been taught...

 

Where in The Laozi is that said?

[Marblehead]

[rene]

Thanks.

 

Who's rendition is that?

[Marblehead]

Thanks.

 

Who's rendition is that?

 

Ooops! Forgot to give credit: Robert G. Henricks

[rene]

Thanks. (-:

[Marblehead]

Thanks. (-:

 

Hehehe. I thought I had a new poster to this thread. Only a name change. (Still the same person.)

[3deedit]

Where in The Laozi is that said?

 

71 Limitation

 

Not-knowing is true knowledge.

Presuming to know is a disease.

First realize that you are sick;

then you can move toward health.

 

The Master is his own physician.

He has healed himself of all knowing.

Thus he is truly whole.

 

48 Inaction

 

In pursuit of knowledge,

every day something is added.

In the practice of the Tao,

every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things,

until finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done,

nothing is left undone.

 

True mastery can be gained

by letting things go their own way.

It can't be gained by interfering.

 

check also the sequence

 

I hope this answers your question

 

Greetz,

3deedit

[rene]

Hehehe. I thought I had a new poster to this thread. Only a name change. (Still the same person.)

 

Yep. When it's available I use 'rene' in forums; primarily because it's my name and therefore one of the few things I can still remember. Usually.

 

*****

 

3deedit, tkx & greetz (-:

[3deedit]

 

3deedit, tkx & greetz (-:

 

You are most welcome, Rene