Nanrong Chu said, “If I lack knowledge, people will say that I am obtuse. If I have knowledge, it brings me distress.If I am not benevolent, then I might harm others; If I am benevolent, I distress myself.If I am not righteous, I might injure others; If I am righteous, I…
Light of the Stars asked Non-being, “Master, do you exist or do you not exist?” Light of the Stars received no reply and, gazing intensely into the appearance of Non-being, saw that it was a deep void. All day he looked at it but could see nothing; he listened for it but could hear…
Confucius and Lao-tsu are reported to have been contemporaries. Both are legendary figures in the cultural/moral ethos for many generations living in China. Both figures are larger than life. In this passage one overhears a conversation between the two. Confucius, author of the legal-ethico composite for China asks Lao-tsu to say more, speak more…
I am confounded, at impasse to understand how the tao can be maintained in view in a 21st century context of technology. Our species has been designated “homo faber” man-the-maker on account of the application of reason for tool making. Untold generations lived upon the earth between “discovery” of methods for making fire, and…
To understand what originates and sustains all is the highest beauty and the highest happiness. One who knows this highest beauty and happiness is the complete man/woman. Confucius said, “I would like to hear how this is achieved.” Lao-tsu replied, “Grass-eating animals do not object to changing their pastures; creatures born in the water…
Yan Hui asked, “What do you mean when you saythat there is no beginning without ending?” Confucius said, “All thingsare undergoing a continuous changebut we do not know who sustains the processof transformation. How do we know the ending?How do we know the beginning? What we can do is simply to follow the natural…
The following is an exchange between Confucius and Grand Duke Ren, a friend and a follower of the tao. Ren said, “Allow me to relate to you the way of avoiding death. In the Eastern Sea there are birds called Yidai. They fly low and slowly as if they lacked strength. They fly near…
Zhuangzi laughed and said,“If I were to say that I would prefer to be in the intermediate position between being useful and being useless,That might seem to be in the right position.But it is not,for we will not be able to avoid difficulties. One who follows the tao is free of difficulties.He is above…
Zhuangzi was walking on a mountain when he saw a great tree with enormous branches and abundant foliage. A woodcutter was standing beside the tree without touching it. When asked why he did not, he replied, “It is useless.” Zhuangzi then said, “This tree will live out its natural term of life because it…
The segment describing our common condition, and a treatment that allows day-to-day life on a much better basis — greatly impressed me today. I think such enormous waste of our potential is a direct consequence of our ignorance. We are confused about the difference between what is superfluous, optional, redundant to our essential flourishing….
