Virtue is...

[Stigweard]

Yes Stig,

 

That is exactly the process.

 

So let us return to the original reason that you posted the repeat of your "Virtue is Tolerance", shall we?

 

You posted it because you felt that you were not being, or someone else was not being adequately tolerant.

 

So let's imagine that you are this new-born babe. You are sucking on your mom's tit, taking pleasure in the warmth of the nourishing milk of life.

 

Then suddenly someone rings the doorbell and you mom removes the tit before you have had you fill so that she can cover herself and go see who is at the door.

 

The tit removal was intolerable by you because you were not yet satisfied and at peace with the world. You started raising hell! Crying and flinging your arms and legs.

 

This is your natural essence.

 

So I suggest that as we grow up and we express our emotions concerning some event that prevents us from becoming satisfied and at peace with the world it is totally natural to express our emotions and protest the 'intolerant' behavior of those who are causing us discontent.

 

There are some things in life that I believe we simply should not tolerate. The world should not have tolerated Hitler. But it did for many years. The more you let some others destroy your peace with the world the more they will try to take advantage of you tolerance.

 

Moderation is key. Even regarding tolerance.

 

Happy Trails!

Yes my friend ... which is why the Taoist instruction is not to practice virtues in isolation to each other because one of integral nature will express virtues holistically. As you have said, tolerance without the virtues of moderation or prudence can lead to "negative results.

 

[Stigweard]

Innocence

 

Generally, innocence is a great virtue, for it is close to nature, but one should understand that there are two kinds of innocence. On is the innocence of a child who lacks true knowledge. This is not the kind of innocence that developed ones strive for, which is the restored purity of the Universal Way after one has experience and knowledge of all things.

 

Though developed people have the capacity to do or know negative things, they choose to remain innocent and abstain from them. This is the kind of innocence that is truly valuable. In order to overcome unhealthy desires, temptations and impulses, one must have knowledge of them. Thus, returning to natural innocence is the result of complete knowledge, cultivation and spiritual development and is quite different from youthful, naive or ignorant innocence.

 

p 347, Ni Hua Ching, "The Book of Changes and the Unchanging Truth"

[Marblehead]

Hi Stig,

 

Nice seeing you again. You have been missed.

 

Yes, innocence. Very good virtue, I think. But innocence should not be confused with gullibility.

 

Peace & Love!

[Stigweard]

A perhaps well-timed bump for virtue

[3bob]

great string!

[Marblehead]

Yeah. We can all use a little more virtue now and then.

 

Peace & Love!

[Stigweard]

Virtue is understanding and experiencing the world's troubles as an expression of the relationships we have within ourselves and with the people closest to us AND THEN taking responsibility for this and healing those troubles first within ourselves.

 

Taoist arts are about healing and integrating the internal "disputes" we carry; it is about bringing the chaotic elements within ourselves into a harmonious whole. When we do this for ourselves we can let this flow out to heal the disputes we may have with other people ... peace naturally arises.