Chang Posted July 2, 2013 "Visions better than drugs have not come. Intelligence exceeding genius has not come. Titanic strength has not come. Beauty to attract lovers has not come. Visitations from the Gods have not come. Freedom from weariness has not come. An end to vexing annoyances has not come. Great wealth has not come. Fame has not come. Unlimited understanding of others has not come. Supernatural powers have not come. The skill to spontaneously heal has not come. The gift of prophesy has not come. None of these things have come. Yet still I would not forsake this spiritual path."  Deng Ming Dao  I hold this view but what do others think? 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShouYi Posted July 2, 2013 (edited) "Visions better than drugs have not come. Intelligence exceeding genius has not come. Titanic strength has not come. Beauty to attract lovers has not come. Visitations from the Gods have not come. Freedom from weariness has not come. An end to vexing annoyances has not come. Great wealth has not come. Fame has not come. Unlimited understanding of others has not come. Supernatural powers have not come. The skill to spontaneously heal has not come. The gift of prophesy has not come. None of these things have come. Â Find a good teacher Edited July 3, 2013 by ShouYi 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 2, 2013 I hold this view but what do others think? Well, you don't have a lot of baggage you need let go of. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LCH Posted July 2, 2013 Chang, Â You hold what view? Â What has your path shown you? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chang Posted July 2, 2013 Chang, Â You hold what view? Â What has your path shown you? The quote will mean different things to diferent people. Â I take the view that the path itself is as important as the destination. I can best explain this by yet another quote "Think not of the harvest but only of proper sowing." Â Too often we become disheartened at the thought of how far we have yet to go whilst remaining oblivious of how far we have already gone. It seems to be very much the human condition. So I practice but do not worry overmuch at any thought of reward. The effect of this is like a load being lifted from your shoulders. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted July 2, 2013 None of these things have come. Yet still I would not forsake this spiritual path."  Deng Ming Dao  I hold this view but what do others think?  If nothing does come... that's your way.  Are you even aiming for such goals, or are you content as you are? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chang Posted July 2, 2013 If nothing does come... that's your way. Â Are you even aiming for such goals, or are you content as you are? This is where explanation can become difficult. If we do or practice anything then obviously we have some aim or objective to our activity. I take the view that it is better by far not to be obsessed by the goal but simply to proceed with proper practice. Â I could liken it to the Taoist objective of returning to the state of the uncarved block or perhaps wu-wei, action without intent. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stosh Posted July 2, 2013 "Visions better than drugs have not come. Intelligence exceeding genius has not come. Titanic strength has not come. Beauty to attract lovers has not come. Visitations from the Gods have not come. Freedom from weariness has not come. An end to vexing annoyances has not come. Great wealth has not come. Fame has not come. Unlimited understanding of others has not come. Supernatural powers have not come. The skill to spontaneously heal has not come. The gift of prophesy has not come. None of these things have come. Yet still I would not forsake this spiritual path."  Deng Ming Dao  I hold this view but what do others think? To me it sounds like a very pragmatic and clear refutation of what he ( and I ) think folks are pointed at expecting. That stuff is just extension of the same attitudes which draw those who are still 'grasping'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Basher Posted July 2, 2013 At the very start of your Training / Journey, before you've done anything, you might have certain expectations...as per Deng Ming Dao's Quote. Â After spending some time on the Way, you may change your opinions..want less or perhaps just different things... Â Later still you might realise that none of it is important or necessary for you to progress... Â You live each day as it comes & just keep to the Path. Â That's the way I read it, any how.. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LCH Posted July 2, 2013 Thanks for sharing... Â I do like to hear people's clarifications, since this is a forum where written words are the only medium of exchange. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spiraltao Posted July 2, 2013 I really like this quote! when i resonated with this itwas very inspiring. For me taoism is truly not a vehicle to attempt to go to any of these places. ... Nor can i recognize any as goals. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wu Ming Jen Posted July 2, 2013 To me the mundane world is spiritual,If we are content with everyday life we have achieved much of value. For others they may seek altered states and think they are progressing on the way.The mere prospect of seeking and attaining abilities are for those grasping for something. For those who have attained a peaceful and tranquil existence with their practice what else is there to seek,crave,desire. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rara Posted July 3, 2013 I could liken it to the Taoist objective of returning to the state of the uncarved block or perhaps wu-wei, action without intent. Â Absolutely. And striving will either lead to exitement and disappointment... Â As you say, you won't forsake the path. And should anything spernatural or anything of the sort pop up along the way...well, I think that you already know you won't be too phased by it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kajenx Posted July 3, 2013 None of these things have come. Yet still I would not forsake this spiritual path. Â I think I might change it to: Â "Now I understand this spiritual path." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stosh Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) Did she just say what I think she said? Â Dang! Edited July 3, 2013 by Stosh 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 21, 2014 (edited) "Visions better than drugs have not come. Intelligence exceeding genius has not come. Titanic strength has not come. Beauty to attract lovers has not come. Visitations from the Gods have not come. Freedom from weariness has not come. An end to vexing annoyances has not come. Great wealth has not come. Fame has not come. Unlimited understanding of others has not come. Supernatural powers have not come. The skill to spontaneously heal has not come. The gift of prophesy has not come. None of these things have come. Yet still I would not forsake this spiritual path."  Deng Ming Dao  I hold this view but what do others think?  That a statement about spiritual accomplishments is a statement about no spiritual accomplishments, maybe?   Or, in other words, if this is your view, what might happen to your view if some of these things might come? Edited January 21, 2014 by Yascra 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chang Posted January 21, 2014 That a statement about spiritual accomplishments is a statement about no spiritual accomplishments, maybe? Â Â Or, in other words, if this is your view, what might happen to your view if some of these things might come? Â Nothing would happen and I would continue along the path. These things are but the frilly trappings of the Tao. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) Nothing would happen  Are you sure about that? It's always easy to say that winning a million dollar won't change your life, for example. But when people suddenly do get such a lot of money they tend to be distracted anyway.  So I'd say you're being extremely optimistic Edited January 22, 2014 by Yascra Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chang Posted January 22, 2014 It is not a case of optimism. Everything that happens effects us. If I were suddenly kidnapped and kept chained in a dungeon just about everything in my life would change, far more so than winning a million dollars. Â But this is not what is meant by the original quote, that is something quite different. Read it again and try to see what the writer is suggesting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 22, 2014 It is not a case of optimism. Everything that happens effects us. If I were suddenly kidnapped and kept chained in a dungeon just about everything in my life would change, far more so than winning a million dollars. Your habits, maybe? At least in your example you would notice that something changed, while the things that really matter might remain more unaffected, depending on your condition. Â But this is not what is meant by the original quote, that is something quite different. Read it again and try to see what the writer is suggesting. What would you say he suggests? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) It's always easy to say that winning a million dollar won't change your life, for example. But when people suddenly do get such a lot of money they tend to be distracted anyway. That's one of the reasons I don't play lotto. It is a fact that you cannot win if you do not play. Nothings gonna' change my world. (What song is that from?) Edited January 22, 2014 by Marblehead Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 22, 2014 That's one of the reasons I do play lotto. It is a fact that you cannot win if you do not play. Nothings gonna' change my world. (What song is that from?) Â To be honest, it is one of the reasons why I don't. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted January 22, 2014 To be honest, it is one of the reasons why I don't. I corrected my post to say "don't play". No, I don't play. I did at one time in my life though. Been a very long time now, over ten years, maybe close to fifteen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 22, 2014 Haha! Oki, no problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yascra Posted January 22, 2014 @Chang, please don't get me wrong about it, it's not that I'm too lazy to think about it, and I'm aware of the fact that I made up the mentioned scenario of "if, when, else...". I just think as long as one can't use own words to go deeper into how one holds this view we can't be sure we're talking about the same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
