Post by withinsilence on Nov 18, 2012 15:52:47 GMT
This is a continuation of the sage Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching. The story goes, that it was banned in China and could only be transmitted orally from teacher to student. This particular rendition is from Brian Walker who was presented with its teachings from Taoist Master Ni Hua-Ching. I share here a few verses that resonates with that subtle awareness deep within all things.
Enjoy,
Verse 37
A superior person cares for the well-being of all things.
She does this by accepting responsibility for the energy she manifests, both actively and in the subtle realm.
Looking at a tree, she sees not an isolated event but root, leaves, trunk, water, soil and sun:
each event related to the other, and "tree" arising out of their relatedness.
Looking at herself or another, she sees the same thing.
Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and birds:
These are active images of the subtle energies that flow from the stars throughout the universe.
Meeting and combining with each other and the elements of the earth, they give rise to all living things.
The superior person understands this, and understands that her own energies play a part in it.
Understanding these things, she respects the earth as her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living things as her brothers and sisters.
Caring for them, she knows that she cares for herself.
Giving to them, she knows that she gives to herself.
At peace with them, she is always at peace with herself.
Verse 40
The natural laws of the universe are inviolable:
Energy condenses into substance.
Food is eaten through the mouth and not through the nose.
A person who neglects to breathe will turn blue and die.
Some things simply can't be dismissed.
It is also a part of the cosmic law that what you say and do determines what happens in your life.
The ordinary person thinks that this law is external to himself and feels confined and controlled by it.
So his desires trouble his mind, his mind troubles his spirit, and he lives in constant turmoil with himself and the world.
His whole life is spent in struggling.
The superior person recognizes that he and the subtle law are one.
Therefore he cultivates himself to accord with it, bringing moderation to his actions and clarity to his mind.
Doing this, he finds himself at one with all that is divine and enlightened.
His days are passed drinking in serenity and breathing out contentment.
This is the profound simple truth:
You are the master of your life and death.
What you do is what you are.
Enjoy,
Verse 37
A superior person cares for the well-being of all things.
She does this by accepting responsibility for the energy she manifests, both actively and in the subtle realm.
Looking at a tree, she sees not an isolated event but root, leaves, trunk, water, soil and sun:
each event related to the other, and "tree" arising out of their relatedness.
Looking at herself or another, she sees the same thing.
Trees and animals, humans and insects, flowers and birds:
These are active images of the subtle energies that flow from the stars throughout the universe.
Meeting and combining with each other and the elements of the earth, they give rise to all living things.
The superior person understands this, and understands that her own energies play a part in it.
Understanding these things, she respects the earth as her mother, the heavens as her father, and all living things as her brothers and sisters.
Caring for them, she knows that she cares for herself.
Giving to them, she knows that she gives to herself.
At peace with them, she is always at peace with herself.
Verse 40
The natural laws of the universe are inviolable:
Energy condenses into substance.
Food is eaten through the mouth and not through the nose.
A person who neglects to breathe will turn blue and die.
Some things simply can't be dismissed.
It is also a part of the cosmic law that what you say and do determines what happens in your life.
The ordinary person thinks that this law is external to himself and feels confined and controlled by it.
So his desires trouble his mind, his mind troubles his spirit, and he lives in constant turmoil with himself and the world.
His whole life is spent in struggling.
The superior person recognizes that he and the subtle law are one.
Therefore he cultivates himself to accord with it, bringing moderation to his actions and clarity to his mind.
Doing this, he finds himself at one with all that is divine and enlightened.
His days are passed drinking in serenity and breathing out contentment.
This is the profound simple truth:
You are the master of your life and death.
What you do is what you are.
