- Day 1 - your favorite song
- Day 2 - your favorite movie
- Day 3 - your favorite television program
- Day 4 - your favorite book
- Day 5 - your favorite quote
- Day 6 - 20 of your favorite things
- Day 7 - a photo that makes you happy
- Day 8 - a photo that makes you angry/sad
- Day 9 - a photo you took
- Day 10 - a photo taken over 10 years ago of you
- Day 11 - a photo of you recently
- Day 12 - something you are OCD about
- Day 13 - a fictional book
- Day 14 - a non-fictional book
- Day 15 - your dream house
- Day 16 - a song that makes you cry (or nearly)
- Day 17 - an art piece (drawing, sculpture, painting, etc)
- Day 18 - my wedding/future wedding/past wedding
- Day 19 - a talent of yours
- Day 20 - a hobby of yours
- Day 21 - a recipe
- Day 22 - a website
- Day 23 - a youtube video
- Day 24 - where you live
- Day 25 - your day, in great detail
- Day 26 - your week, in great detail
- Day 27 - your worst habit
- Day 28 - what's in your handbag/purse
- Day 29 - hopes, dreams, and plans for the next 365 days
- Day 30 - a dream for the future
Sunday, January 29, 2012
30 days of useless information
I have decided to participate in a blogger tradition from several years ago, and provide you with 30 days of useless information about me. This not only helps readers get to know a little more about me, but helps to teach me about the features of blogger and gets me out of my own head. A win/win situation, right? So here's the list, I'm going to start soon and hopefully post everyday for the next 30 days.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
A Revelation of Good Fortune
I have had a revelation of sorts today. It is the beginning of a new year and I am fresh with new perspective. I would like to share a few stories that some friends shared with me recently that really struck a cord.
Good Fortune
A man named Sei Weng owned a beautiful mare which was praised far and wide. One day this beautiful horse disappeared. The people of his village offered sympathy to Sei Weng for his great misfortune. Sei Weng said simply, "That's the way it is."
A few days later the lost mare returned, followed by a beautiful wild stallion. The village congratulated Sei Weng for his good fortune. He said, "That's the way it is."
Some time later, Sei Weng's only son, while riding the stallion, fell off and broke his leg. The village people once again expressed their sympathy at Sei Weng's misfortune. Sei Weng again said, "That's the way it is."
Soon thereafter, war broke out and all the young men of the village except Sei Weng's lame son were drafted and were killed in battle. The village people were amazed as Sei Weng's good luck. His son was the only young man left alive in the village. But Sei Weng kept his same attitude: despite all the turmoil, gains and losses, he gave the same reply, "That's the way it is."
Don't Hit the Dog
A man who had come to visit his brother for a few days went out one morning wearing a white coat. It rained while he was out, so he changed his white coat to a black one before returning to his brother's house. Upon the visitor's return, the house dog barked ferociously because it couldn't recognize the guest. Angry at the dog's unfriendliness, the visitor picked up a stick in order to strike it.
"My dear brother, please don't hit the dog. What if a dog with white hair had gone out in the morning and returned with dark hair in the evening - would you have recognized it?" his brother pleaded.
Looking at his black coat, the visitor laughed and put down the stick.
In most cases when people criticize us they have a reason, just as the barking dog. So instead of getting upset and hitting back, maybe it's wiser to view ourselves from the angle of our critics, and we may even learn something.
~Luke Chan
Weeds
Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a sage who taught the Tao to three disciples at a distant temple. Once every few months, they would make the long trip into town to purchase supplies.
On one of these trips, they paused by a field overgrown with weeds. The sage said to the disciples: "This field is like the human mind, and the weeds are like negative thoughts. Tell me, what do you think is the best way to get rid of the weeds?"
The first disciple was quick to answer: "Just pull up the weeds with your hands, Master. What can be easier than that?"
The second disciple disagreed: "That is not very effective. Look at how many weeds there are. You can only do so much before you get tired. The best way is to use tools like the shovel to uproot the weeds. In the same amount of time, you can do a lot more with less effort."
The third disciple shook his head: "Even that is not effective enough. Look at how big this field is. Even with tools, it will still take quite a while, and it will still be exhausting. The best way is fire. Set up a perimeter around the field, and then burn the whole thing. It takes some effort to preapre, but once that's done, you just stand back and watch the fire do all the work for you."
The sage smiled approvingly: "You've given three answers that are quite different, but all interesting."
Months passed, and soon it was time to go into town for supplies again. The sage and the disciples passed by the same field as before, but this time it was different. They saw that farmers had turned it into rice paddies.
The sage turned to them and said: "This is the reason why I did not name any of your answers as the correct one. None of you touched the level of the Tao."
The first disciple was curious: "What was wrong with our solutions, Master?"
"They were all temporary measures." The sage pointed out: "The weeds will grow back after you have cleared the field, regardless of your method. The only way to ensure that won't happen is to replace the weeds with something else - like the rice crop you see in front of you. Similarly, it is not enough to eliminate negative thoughts from your mind. You must also plant the seeds of positive thoughts. That is the only way to ensure that the negativity will never return."
~Derek Lin
These are just a few of the stories that have helped me usher in the year of the Water Dragon with a completely new outlook.
Be at Peace.
Good Fortune
A man named Sei Weng owned a beautiful mare which was praised far and wide. One day this beautiful horse disappeared. The people of his village offered sympathy to Sei Weng for his great misfortune. Sei Weng said simply, "That's the way it is."
A few days later the lost mare returned, followed by a beautiful wild stallion. The village congratulated Sei Weng for his good fortune. He said, "That's the way it is."
Some time later, Sei Weng's only son, while riding the stallion, fell off and broke his leg. The village people once again expressed their sympathy at Sei Weng's misfortune. Sei Weng again said, "That's the way it is."
Soon thereafter, war broke out and all the young men of the village except Sei Weng's lame son were drafted and were killed in battle. The village people were amazed as Sei Weng's good luck. His son was the only young man left alive in the village. But Sei Weng kept his same attitude: despite all the turmoil, gains and losses, he gave the same reply, "That's the way it is."
Don't Hit the Dog
A man who had come to visit his brother for a few days went out one morning wearing a white coat. It rained while he was out, so he changed his white coat to a black one before returning to his brother's house. Upon the visitor's return, the house dog barked ferociously because it couldn't recognize the guest. Angry at the dog's unfriendliness, the visitor picked up a stick in order to strike it.
"My dear brother, please don't hit the dog. What if a dog with white hair had gone out in the morning and returned with dark hair in the evening - would you have recognized it?" his brother pleaded.
Looking at his black coat, the visitor laughed and put down the stick.
In most cases when people criticize us they have a reason, just as the barking dog. So instead of getting upset and hitting back, maybe it's wiser to view ourselves from the angle of our critics, and we may even learn something.
~Luke Chan
Weeds
Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a sage who taught the Tao to three disciples at a distant temple. Once every few months, they would make the long trip into town to purchase supplies.
On one of these trips, they paused by a field overgrown with weeds. The sage said to the disciples: "This field is like the human mind, and the weeds are like negative thoughts. Tell me, what do you think is the best way to get rid of the weeds?"
The first disciple was quick to answer: "Just pull up the weeds with your hands, Master. What can be easier than that?"
The second disciple disagreed: "That is not very effective. Look at how many weeds there are. You can only do so much before you get tired. The best way is to use tools like the shovel to uproot the weeds. In the same amount of time, you can do a lot more with less effort."
The third disciple shook his head: "Even that is not effective enough. Look at how big this field is. Even with tools, it will still take quite a while, and it will still be exhausting. The best way is fire. Set up a perimeter around the field, and then burn the whole thing. It takes some effort to preapre, but once that's done, you just stand back and watch the fire do all the work for you."
The sage smiled approvingly: "You've given three answers that are quite different, but all interesting."
Months passed, and soon it was time to go into town for supplies again. The sage and the disciples passed by the same field as before, but this time it was different. They saw that farmers had turned it into rice paddies.
The sage turned to them and said: "This is the reason why I did not name any of your answers as the correct one. None of you touched the level of the Tao."
The first disciple was curious: "What was wrong with our solutions, Master?"
"They were all temporary measures." The sage pointed out: "The weeds will grow back after you have cleared the field, regardless of your method. The only way to ensure that won't happen is to replace the weeds with something else - like the rice crop you see in front of you. Similarly, it is not enough to eliminate negative thoughts from your mind. You must also plant the seeds of positive thoughts. That is the only way to ensure that the negativity will never return."
~Derek Lin
These are just a few of the stories that have helped me usher in the year of the Water Dragon with a completely new outlook.
Be at Peace.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Year of the Dragon
Typically, at this point in the year I reminisce about the happenings of the previous year. I'm choosing not to do that this time, because frankly, the mere idea makes me sad. It hasn't been a great year for me, emotionally, physically or spiritually. We bought a new house and I completed my Master's degree. These are the only things I wish to share, because I don't want to relive the frustrations and heartaches of the rest of it.
What I need is a new beginning, and on January 23, I will get one. 2011 was the year of the Gray (Metal) Rabbit, and it will be ending as we enter the year of the Blue Dragon.
The Dragon is my favorite of the Chinese astrological signs, because well, its a dragon. It is the only mythical creature present among the animal representations (rat, ox, tiger, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig are the others). Water is my favorite element, because it not only represents the Tao, but it has a calming effect on me, and I always feel better submerged in water. It represents flexibility, patience, and power.
So, this coming year is the year of my two favorite things, water and dragons. What does that mean for us?
The dragon represents intense power and divinity. Keep in mind it is westerners who have formed the idea of dragons as beasts that need slain. The ancient Chinese revered the creatures with honor and respect. Dragons have always been a symbol of good fortune, meaning this next year should find some things looking up (great news for me!).
Water appearing in the same year as the Dragon has a calming effect on the creature's uninhibited temperament, making Water Dragons the only ones with the ability to practice the art of patience. They are very evaluative and flexible, able to get along in a variety of situations.
So, I'm looking forward to the year of the Blue Dragon, may it bring you all good fortune.
What I need is a new beginning, and on January 23, I will get one. 2011 was the year of the Gray (Metal) Rabbit, and it will be ending as we enter the year of the Blue Dragon.
The Dragon is my favorite of the Chinese astrological signs, because well, its a dragon. It is the only mythical creature present among the animal representations (rat, ox, tiger, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig are the others). Water is my favorite element, because it not only represents the Tao, but it has a calming effect on me, and I always feel better submerged in water. It represents flexibility, patience, and power.
So, this coming year is the year of my two favorite things, water and dragons. What does that mean for us?
The dragon represents intense power and divinity. Keep in mind it is westerners who have formed the idea of dragons as beasts that need slain. The ancient Chinese revered the creatures with honor and respect. Dragons have always been a symbol of good fortune, meaning this next year should find some things looking up (great news for me!).
Water appearing in the same year as the Dragon has a calming effect on the creature's uninhibited temperament, making Water Dragons the only ones with the ability to practice the art of patience. They are very evaluative and flexible, able to get along in a variety of situations.
So, I'm looking forward to the year of the Blue Dragon, may it bring you all good fortune.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tao or Dao
When I tell people I am a Taoist, a frequently asked question of anyone well read in religious texts asks the questions, "What's the difference between Tao and Dao?"
There is a simple answer to this question and a complicated answer to the question. The simple answer is mistranslation. When the texts were first translated into English, the word was translated as "tao" and as scholars gained more knowledge (and our communication with China became more open) we learned that a more accurate translation was "dao". At that point, however, Taoism was well known enough and documented well enough that the change was difficult for lay people to understand. This led to a strange division of those who kept the old translations (tao, laotzu, etc.) and those that switched to the new ones (dao, laozi, etc.). Generally, I have found academics to have switched, and those less concerned with labeling to have stayed the same, or like me, came in after the fact and are just confused or don't care which is used (my take).
The long answer is much more complicated and steeped in judgement. I would point you to this document for an example of what I mean: what is dao?. Though there is some interesting information there, the author dismisses all translations and interpretations other than from his own academically driven circle. Daoism is the name of a religion still existing in China, though it is not recognizable to most Western Taoists (or PWT as the author calls us). This religion is steeped in traditions and ceremonies that are heavily influenced by the Chinese culture and Confusianism throughout the generations. These academics are very dismissive and even insulting of other interpretations of the works, especially any coming from the western culture.
I attribute this attitude to a black and white view of what it means to be a daoist (a rather un-Taoist view in my opinion). An interesting parallel happens in my mind when looking at the history of Taoism to a rather well known religion of Christianity. If ever there was a group of religious people who couldn't agree with each other, it's Christians. Among themselves, they have dozens of different denominations, some of which seem to have little in common other than they worship the Bible on Sundays. Then you have the religions that came before (Judaism) after Christianity (Islamic, Mormanism) that still believe in the teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ to at least some extent. The members of each of these religions (in general) feels they are right, and judges those others as wrong and misinterpreting the Bible. I feel the same type of thing is happening within Daoism/Taoism.
What led me to Taoism in the first place was the new-age spirituality aspect that the "true" daoists hate so much. I am not judging these daoists as right or wrong in their assumptions. Perhaps the translations I have come to love so much are horribly wrong, and misrepresent the actual author's intentions. I guess my reaction to that is, I don't care. The teachings are not harming anyone, and if it makes you feel better to designate it as PWT then by all means do so. My question is, isn't there room for both of us? Isn't there space for more than a single interpretation of the texts? So what if some of them are western oriented? Do you have to judge us in such an insensitive manner? The Taoism that I love teaches tolerance, is that not so in your version?
I guess it all boils down to, "Can't we all just get along?"
There is a simple answer to this question and a complicated answer to the question. The simple answer is mistranslation. When the texts were first translated into English, the word was translated as "tao" and as scholars gained more knowledge (and our communication with China became more open) we learned that a more accurate translation was "dao". At that point, however, Taoism was well known enough and documented well enough that the change was difficult for lay people to understand. This led to a strange division of those who kept the old translations (tao, laotzu, etc.) and those that switched to the new ones (dao, laozi, etc.). Generally, I have found academics to have switched, and those less concerned with labeling to have stayed the same, or like me, came in after the fact and are just confused or don't care which is used (my take).
The long answer is much more complicated and steeped in judgement. I would point you to this document for an example of what I mean: what is dao?. Though there is some interesting information there, the author dismisses all translations and interpretations other than from his own academically driven circle. Daoism is the name of a religion still existing in China, though it is not recognizable to most Western Taoists (or PWT as the author calls us). This religion is steeped in traditions and ceremonies that are heavily influenced by the Chinese culture and Confusianism throughout the generations. These academics are very dismissive and even insulting of other interpretations of the works, especially any coming from the western culture.
I attribute this attitude to a black and white view of what it means to be a daoist (a rather un-Taoist view in my opinion). An interesting parallel happens in my mind when looking at the history of Taoism to a rather well known religion of Christianity. If ever there was a group of religious people who couldn't agree with each other, it's Christians. Among themselves, they have dozens of different denominations, some of which seem to have little in common other than they worship the Bible on Sundays. Then you have the religions that came before (Judaism) after Christianity (Islamic, Mormanism) that still believe in the teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ to at least some extent. The members of each of these religions (in general) feels they are right, and judges those others as wrong and misinterpreting the Bible. I feel the same type of thing is happening within Daoism/Taoism.
What led me to Taoism in the first place was the new-age spirituality aspect that the "true" daoists hate so much. I am not judging these daoists as right or wrong in their assumptions. Perhaps the translations I have come to love so much are horribly wrong, and misrepresent the actual author's intentions. I guess my reaction to that is, I don't care. The teachings are not harming anyone, and if it makes you feel better to designate it as PWT then by all means do so. My question is, isn't there room for both of us? Isn't there space for more than a single interpretation of the texts? So what if some of them are western oriented? Do you have to judge us in such an insensitive manner? The Taoism that I love teaches tolerance, is that not so in your version?
I guess it all boils down to, "Can't we all just get along?"
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
TV family quirks
I try not to constantly post about things that bug me, but an episode of a show I love stirred a pet peeve of mine tonight.
On television, there is a formula where a parent is sometimes completely unsupportive of their children, usually to the point of being rude and mean. Generally this involves not supporting some sort of artistic venture, or some other type of outlet the parent has no experience with. This part doesn't bother me, because it's a somewhat real depiction of certain families (thankfully not my own but I have known several like this). In this case, it was a Korean dad who could not support his son wanting to be a dancer, I feel this is a likely scenario for many young boys, should they find their passion in dance.
The part that bugs me generally happens toward the end of the episode. After being tricked or guilted into attending a performance, the dad suddenly realizes that his son is a terrific dancer and he was wrong all along. After being a total douche the whole episode (in this case multiple episodes) now he suddenly supports his son's ambition and all is right in TV land again.
Here's my problem with this outcome. It portrays an idea that a parent like this could change their mind, if you just try hard enough. Of course it could happen, but not one of my friends who have a parent like this has ever experienced such a transformation. Mild and reluctant tolerance is the best I've heard, which is a far cry from the sudden support seen by these tv teens.
I worry that we are sending the wrong message to the tv watching teens who are in a similar situation. They are seeing that they should continue to seek dad's approval until he comes around. This could potentially lead to unpleasant situations as the teen doesn't get the outcome hoped for. I would like to see the teen come to the revelation that they do not need that parent's approval to love themselves for who they are. Let's see them rally support from others around them, and find ways to work around the challenge when considering their future while still being respectful to his parents. Perhaps this is too realistic for TV, but I think it is an opportunity to help those with parent(s) who are unsupportive see that they are not alone, and the disapproval doesn't mean there's something wrong with them.
This was my short rant. Moral of the story, what others think cannot define you, only you can do that.
On television, there is a formula where a parent is sometimes completely unsupportive of their children, usually to the point of being rude and mean. Generally this involves not supporting some sort of artistic venture, or some other type of outlet the parent has no experience with. This part doesn't bother me, because it's a somewhat real depiction of certain families (thankfully not my own but I have known several like this). In this case, it was a Korean dad who could not support his son wanting to be a dancer, I feel this is a likely scenario for many young boys, should they find their passion in dance.
The part that bugs me generally happens toward the end of the episode. After being tricked or guilted into attending a performance, the dad suddenly realizes that his son is a terrific dancer and he was wrong all along. After being a total douche the whole episode (in this case multiple episodes) now he suddenly supports his son's ambition and all is right in TV land again.
Here's my problem with this outcome. It portrays an idea that a parent like this could change their mind, if you just try hard enough. Of course it could happen, but not one of my friends who have a parent like this has ever experienced such a transformation. Mild and reluctant tolerance is the best I've heard, which is a far cry from the sudden support seen by these tv teens.
I worry that we are sending the wrong message to the tv watching teens who are in a similar situation. They are seeing that they should continue to seek dad's approval until he comes around. This could potentially lead to unpleasant situations as the teen doesn't get the outcome hoped for. I would like to see the teen come to the revelation that they do not need that parent's approval to love themselves for who they are. Let's see them rally support from others around them, and find ways to work around the challenge when considering their future while still being respectful to his parents. Perhaps this is too realistic for TV, but I think it is an opportunity to help those with parent(s) who are unsupportive see that they are not alone, and the disapproval doesn't mean there's something wrong with them.
This was my short rant. Moral of the story, what others think cannot define you, only you can do that.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Another Year, Another Win
It's official, I have hit the lovely 50K words and won NanoWrimo. It feels great, but something happened this time that never has before. Not only did I finish on the 19th (wow!) but I found myself going long. The story is not over, and the end is nowhere in sight at 50k. I guess I finally found a subject matter that inspires me to go on and on. I found myself feeling very spiritual as I was writing about my main character who was being taught the principles of the way. How amazing, to combine my writing with spirituality seems like an automatic win for me. I'm not sure how marketable this book will be, but I don't care because it helped me get to a really good place.
The challenge of writing a thesis and a novel in the same month helped me feel like I can do anything. I hope I can maintain this positive feeling, and staying with the Tao, I know is the way.
Other happenings include: finally getting moved in enough to park both vehicles in the garage, hosting turkey day at my new house, and sipping tea by my working fireplace. Pretty content right now.
The challenge of writing a thesis and a novel in the same month helped me feel like I can do anything. I hope I can maintain this positive feeling, and staying with the Tao, I know is the way.
Other happenings include: finally getting moved in enough to park both vehicles in the garage, hosting turkey day at my new house, and sipping tea by my working fireplace. Pretty content right now.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November Has Come
It's that time of year again. Time for National Novel Writing Month where authors scramble to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I am participating again this year, even though I am also working on writing a thesis for my Masters degree (Raving, I am, stark raving mad!!) What makes this year different is that this year I decided to do Taoist theme to the book (see the revelation post below). I love the idea of exploring my own spirituality while my character explores hers.
I decided to not make the references blatant, meaning that nowhere in the book will it talk about the Tao. Instead, the sages in my book will refer to it as the Myst. I do this for a few reasons.
1. It gives me more room for fantasy aspects I would like to add in.
2. My personal interpretation of the greatest book ever written will not be called into question
3. I feel like it makes the concept more accessible to the massess.
Wish me luck!!
I decided to not make the references blatant, meaning that nowhere in the book will it talk about the Tao. Instead, the sages in my book will refer to it as the Myst. I do this for a few reasons.
1. It gives me more room for fantasy aspects I would like to add in.
2. My personal interpretation of the greatest book ever written will not be called into question
3. I feel like it makes the concept more accessible to the massess.
Wish me luck!!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Another Year of NanoWrimo
As many of you will recall, for the last two years I have participated in National Novel Writing Month. I'm thrilled to have won both years, and of course find myself wishing to participate again this year.
I am also currently working on my Master's Thesis in a capstone course with Capella University. This involves a lot of writing all by itself, so do I really want to add the challenge of writing 50,000 words in a single month on top of that? I found myself floundering in my answer to that question. Then when I was talking to a friend who was considering Nanowrimo this year, I told them the thing I tell everyone.
"Why not try? Worse case scenario, you don't win, but will have a decent start on a novel. Is that really losing?"
My own words rang true in my head, and I realized I needed to take my own sage advice, and at least try.
So I began thinking of ways to simplify the writing process. The first idea: write a sequel to one of the other novels I have written, this way the prep work is done for me. The first, Shades of Magic, is currently available on Amazon and Kindle, and I have had requests for a sequel to it. The other, Liberty Springs, is still in the editing process, but has content I absolutely love and a really unique concept.
I began pondering which sequel to do, settled on Liberty Springs and began brainstorming ideas for the new book. I stalled. Hard. Nothing inspired me at all, I just wasn't feeling it. I hopped to Shades of Magic for a moment, but quickly discarded it as well. Am I doomed to not be inspired for Nano?
Last night, inspiration came in the form of the Tao. I found myself perusing the Tao Te Ching for inspiration (a common habit of mine) and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
What if I write about Taoism? I love learning about new things when I read a fiction story, so why not introduce someone to the concepts of Taoism. I don't want to write a religious book, though. So what if I call the Tao something else? What if I introduce the lessons taught in the Tao Te Ching through storytelling? The juices are flowing now!!
Thank you Tao :D
I am also currently working on my Master's Thesis in a capstone course with Capella University. This involves a lot of writing all by itself, so do I really want to add the challenge of writing 50,000 words in a single month on top of that? I found myself floundering in my answer to that question. Then when I was talking to a friend who was considering Nanowrimo this year, I told them the thing I tell everyone.
"Why not try? Worse case scenario, you don't win, but will have a decent start on a novel. Is that really losing?"
My own words rang true in my head, and I realized I needed to take my own sage advice, and at least try.
So I began thinking of ways to simplify the writing process. The first idea: write a sequel to one of the other novels I have written, this way the prep work is done for me. The first, Shades of Magic, is currently available on Amazon and Kindle, and I have had requests for a sequel to it. The other, Liberty Springs, is still in the editing process, but has content I absolutely love and a really unique concept.
I began pondering which sequel to do, settled on Liberty Springs and began brainstorming ideas for the new book. I stalled. Hard. Nothing inspired me at all, I just wasn't feeling it. I hopped to Shades of Magic for a moment, but quickly discarded it as well. Am I doomed to not be inspired for Nano?
Last night, inspiration came in the form of the Tao. I found myself perusing the Tao Te Ching for inspiration (a common habit of mine) and it hit me like a ton of bricks.
What if I write about Taoism? I love learning about new things when I read a fiction story, so why not introduce someone to the concepts of Taoism. I don't want to write a religious book, though. So what if I call the Tao something else? What if I introduce the lessons taught in the Tao Te Ching through storytelling? The juices are flowing now!!
Thank you Tao :D
Sunday, October 2, 2011
An Angry Taoist?
Recent events found me and some close friends dealing with a large amount of anger. After an interchange with some co-worker type people, we found ourselves seething. It was bad enough that even after we parted ways, the anger was enough to spur further texting and even ill feelings the next day as we returned to our tasks.
My friend (non-Taoist mind you) asked me, what would Lao Tzu do?
What a terrific question. I had no idea. I decided to peruse my pocket Tao Te Ching, and some of my goto websites for Taoist info about the subject.
The verse that stood out to me the most was 37:
"The way takes no action, but leaves nothing undone.
When you accept this the world will flourish, in harmony with nature.
Natures does not possess desire; Without desire, the heart becomes quiet; In this manner the whole world is made tranquil."
Another is a part of 49:
"A sage is good to those who are good; He is also good to those who are not good. Thereby, he is good."
There is also an abundance of statements about cultivating harmony and the importance of inaction. It says that compassion is the finest weapon and best defense used in an altercation.
Anger is a force that feeds upon itself. In the example situation, the others were angry because they were inconvenienced (not intentionally) by our actions. They lacked compassion in their words when explaining it to us. Our anger (At least my own) came from feeling a lack of gratitude. The others had not completed their work well, yet criticized the hard work we had put in.
I now realize that my anger came from a place of ego. I took the anger that was thrown at me and absorbed it. That anger acted like poison in my system. I found myself replaying the scene again and again, anger rising each time. This anger was merely from memories though, not from the actions themselves. My feeling of anger was a way to keep that injustice alive. This is where inaction becomes key. I should have made my feelings known in a kind and compassionate manner, and then simply accepted the situation as it is and moved on with my night.
I'm not done exploring this concept, as I feel it is an important one. But I feel better knowing how I may be able to handle that situation in the future.
So, what would Lao Tzu do? I think he would be able to kindly take the criticism and then let it go.
My friend (non-Taoist mind you) asked me, what would Lao Tzu do?
What a terrific question. I had no idea. I decided to peruse my pocket Tao Te Ching, and some of my goto websites for Taoist info about the subject.
The verse that stood out to me the most was 37:
"The way takes no action, but leaves nothing undone.
When you accept this the world will flourish, in harmony with nature.
Natures does not possess desire; Without desire, the heart becomes quiet; In this manner the whole world is made tranquil."
Another is a part of 49:
"A sage is good to those who are good; He is also good to those who are not good. Thereby, he is good."
There is also an abundance of statements about cultivating harmony and the importance of inaction. It says that compassion is the finest weapon and best defense used in an altercation.
Anger is a force that feeds upon itself. In the example situation, the others were angry because they were inconvenienced (not intentionally) by our actions. They lacked compassion in their words when explaining it to us. Our anger (At least my own) came from feeling a lack of gratitude. The others had not completed their work well, yet criticized the hard work we had put in.
I now realize that my anger came from a place of ego. I took the anger that was thrown at me and absorbed it. That anger acted like poison in my system. I found myself replaying the scene again and again, anger rising each time. This anger was merely from memories though, not from the actions themselves. My feeling of anger was a way to keep that injustice alive. This is where inaction becomes key. I should have made my feelings known in a kind and compassionate manner, and then simply accepted the situation as it is and moved on with my night.
I'm not done exploring this concept, as I feel it is an important one. But I feel better knowing how I may be able to handle that situation in the future.
So, what would Lao Tzu do? I think he would be able to kindly take the criticism and then let it go.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Don't Get Your Hopes Up
There's a common saying around my house in the last two plus years. "Don't Get Your Hopes Up."
When you are trying to do something that proves quite difficult and unlikely, it's something that we will likely all here from someone. Well, I'm tired of not getting my hopes up. There, I said it. I'll get my hopes up if I want to. This scenario can go one of two ways:
First way:
Take every action to achieve goal, believing that this time it just might work.
If it doesn't work, a period of feeling crushed may ensue.
Second way:
Take actions to achieve goal while not really believing it could work. Feel defeated and like actions are pointless. Be crushed when it doesn't work, even though you didn't think it would.
There may be other options for different scenarios, but these are the two I'm choosing between right now. And I think I'll take the first way. I'd rather have days of hope, because hope makes me feel good. It improves my overall attitude and is a bright spot in an otherwise murky experience. I tried a few rounds of the second, and it was almost scary how dark the place I got to was. Well, that's not for me.
Sorry Captain, I'm gonna get my hopes up, and if it doesn't work, I'm probably gonna cry. Because I feel, and believe it or not, feelings are good. But then I'll pick myself up and find new hope for next time. And I'll be a much happier person for it.
As my mother's favorite song says:
Gotta Do It My Way.
When you are trying to do something that proves quite difficult and unlikely, it's something that we will likely all here from someone. Well, I'm tired of not getting my hopes up. There, I said it. I'll get my hopes up if I want to. This scenario can go one of two ways:
First way:
Take every action to achieve goal, believing that this time it just might work.
If it doesn't work, a period of feeling crushed may ensue.
Second way:
Take actions to achieve goal while not really believing it could work. Feel defeated and like actions are pointless. Be crushed when it doesn't work, even though you didn't think it would.
There may be other options for different scenarios, but these are the two I'm choosing between right now. And I think I'll take the first way. I'd rather have days of hope, because hope makes me feel good. It improves my overall attitude and is a bright spot in an otherwise murky experience. I tried a few rounds of the second, and it was almost scary how dark the place I got to was. Well, that's not for me.
Sorry Captain, I'm gonna get my hopes up, and if it doesn't work, I'm probably gonna cry. Because I feel, and believe it or not, feelings are good. But then I'll pick myself up and find new hope for next time. And I'll be a much happier person for it.
As my mother's favorite song says:
Gotta Do It My Way.
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