Favorite Daoist Quote

[silent thunder]

On 11/30/2018 at 8:17 AM, OldDog said:

If a person thinks in terms of attaining something, that means he believes there is something to obtain or achieve external to his own nature. It means that he fails to realize that his own true nature is the integral nature of the universe itself. 

 

- Hua Hu Ching (Ni Hua-Ching)

 

On 3/22/2019 at 10:47 AM, OldDog said:

The key to understanding the natural order of things is dissolving the barriers between subject and object; knower and known, seer and seen.

 

- Eva Wong, Lieh-tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living

 

 

 

 

11 hours ago, OldDog said:

It is ever so that in the life of man, Heaven produces his essence and Earth produces his form. - Neiye

[thelerner]

From Min's interpretation of The Golden Flower- (from Wang Li Ping's book Ling Bao Tong Zhi Neng Nei Gong Shu- worth getting imo)

 

"..If one's Heart is open then intelligence is natural, if closed then one will become dull.  When it is open it will promote longevity; when it i closed, it will shorten lifespan."

 

"..The body is a country; the practitioner is the emperor; the light is the emperor's intention; intentions is the emperor's sovereign command; as soon as the light returns, then the whole body of the Qi makes its pilgrimage to the Capital." 

 

"When things come up, let them flow through you, when  matters come up, understand them then let them go."

 

"In the early morning, it is easier to clear the mind to return to the original state.  Sitting for one to four hours is best.  However, if you have to deal with people or business, you should use the return the light method, continuing without a moment of interruption.  If you practice this way for two or three months, Heavens true sages will come to confirm your method is true."

Edited May 15, 2019 by thelerner

[OldDog]

All things come to life, but we cannot see their source. All things appear but we cannot see the gate from which they come. All men value the knowledge of what they know, but really do not know. Only those who fall back upon what knowledge cannot know really know. Is this not a great problem?

 

- Chuangtse (trans: Lin Yutang)

[silent thunder]

The Gateless Gate: Nansen's "Ordinary Mind Is the Way"

 

Case 19:

Jõshû asked Nansen, "What is the Way?"

"Ordinary mind is the Way," Nansen replied.

"Shall I try to seek after it?" Jõshû asked.

"If you try for it, you will become separated from it," responded Nansen.

"How can I know the Way unless I try for it?" persisted Jõshû.

Nansen said, "The Way is not a matter of knowing or not knowing.

Knowing is delusion; not knowing is confusion.

When you have really reached the true Way beyond doubt, you will find it as vast and boundless as outer space.

How can it be talked about on the level of right and wrong?"

With these words, Jõshû came to a sudden realization.

[OldDog]

To study the classics is to study the threads that bind all knowledge.

 

- Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Dao

[zerostao]

On 4/2/2018 at 5:09 AM, Marblehead said:

The soul is disturbed by any effort of self-conscious demonstration.  All such demonstrations are lies.

thought provoking---and merton certainly provokes a lot--as do you.

today I am inspired to read a bit of merton and marbles

[zerostao]

nature (always) speaks for itself

[Starjumper]

On 5/6/2019 at 9:23 AM, OldDog said:

All things come to life, but we cannot see their source. All things appear but we cannot see the gate from which they come. All men value the knowledge of what they know, but really do not know. Only those who fall back upon what knowledge cannot know really know. Is this not a great problem?

 

Darkness within darkness.

Edited June 20, 2019 by Starjumper

[Lost in Translation]

"That without substance can enter where there is no room."

 

TTC, Chapter 43

[CloudHands]

On 20/06/2019 at 9:04 PM, Lost in Translation said:

"That without substance can enter where there is no room."

 

TTC, Chapter 43

 

ultimate abstraction

[Ad_B]

Zhuangzi — 'Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.'

 

Its very useful.

[silent thunder]

14 minutes ago, Ad_B said:

Zhuangzi — 'Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free: Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.'

 

Its very useful.

Intriguing how this resonates with many Zen realization/assertions.

 

 

[OldDog]

17 hours ago, silent thunder said:

Intriguing how this resonates ...

 

At a basic level is the simple recognition that contention is what is most troublesome for the human experience. Small wonder that it shows up in multiple philosophies with multiple prescriptions for dealing with it.

[OldDog]

And so it is with us. We need teaching. But there is a point beyond which teaching cannot provide for us. Only direct experience can give us the final dimensions we need. That means learning from nature, and learning from ourselves.

 

- Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao

[Starjumper]

"Look for what is hidden"

[OldDog]

Men are by Nature born good, but few retain their goodness till old age.  - Confucius

 

Perhaps the most we can hope for is to reclaim our goodness by old age.

[OldDog]

The fundamental viewpoint is that when man's original nature was yet unspoiled, he was acting in accord with Tao,  obeying his instincts entirely, and therefore he was unconsciously good.

 

- Lin Yutang, Commentary on TTC Ch 17 

[Jadespear]

...don't be too sure of anything....not even that. 

[OldDog]

Yesterday, I learned that an old friend had passed away. That same day, i had encountered this ...

 

Death defines the limits of life. Within those limits, there is structure upon which to base one's decisions.  Whenever one deems that one's life has been fulfilled, one can utilize death as the portal away from this existence.

 

   - Deng Ming-Dao