Taoism

Me and Streen have had many discussions on quotes as such,

"The teacher does not give the answer but asks the question."

A quote that has a deep value to myself.

I got this out of the "Dragon's Mouth" from The British Taoist Association

I found a lot of truth reading it

Ego becomes transparent
Transparent becomes truthful
Truthful becomes harmless
Harmless becomes peaceful
Peaceful becomes united with the world

Those who wish to attain it
Follow the path of Dao

But the self gets tired
Of peace and simplicity
And soon rejoins
The brotherhood of confusion

It makes further attempts
To step back on the path
But its' nerves crave
For a dose of argument
That can only lead it astray
Again and again and again

Those who wish to avoid it
Follow the path of Dao

Don't rely on your
Noisy companion
The self-righteous ego
That disdains your quiet walk
So eager so talk of goals
But unable to make a single step

Have a trust in Dao
And its path of no destination
Where peace is at hand

The Path that's not walked upon
Is not the real Path

Awareness
Awareness is an ongoing process of learning about one's self and world. After reconciling that with one's preconceptions, you can sense the slightest change in and around you. - Lao Fzu




pg1

Blame
It is only natural to notice the faults of others, but what can you do about them? The sage understands that it is wiser to concentrate on your own where improvement is under your control. - Lao Fzu






pg2

We probably won't discuss these too much though, would we ? :pinch:

"Using violence" isn't merely beating someone bloody ... It is also the words we use and how we use them - in public or in private. Arrogance and pride, boastfully one-up'ing another or another "side". Being "right" and "winning" (winning what exactly ? :blink: )

Are we shown up here to learn to live in better alignment with the Force, or to show off how much we "know" about it already ?

Just curious ...

We probably won't discuss these too much though, would we ?

"Using violence" isn't merely beating someone bloody ... It is also the words we use and how we use them - in public or in private. ...

Or in our minds. I think the words we use inside ourselves are the cause of "violence" = internal strife?

Are we shown up here to learn to live in better alignment with the Force, or to show off how much we "know" about it already ? Just curious ... .

A very good question and difficult for one to answere about oneselves but a good question to ask oneself and reflect on. I would initially say if you think your know the force your wrong. If you are certain of the force you are wrong.

I keep thinking about this

or to show off how much we "know" about it already ?

I don't think that can be done with words? May you be with the force. It's totally subjective. You can't show off anything like that, you can only live it. To" think" you could show off would be ostentatious and pretentious, clearly out of balance with the force?

Community
Compassion and understanding are the roots of your community. The sage focuses on the underlying similarities, and overlooks the oddities of others. In this way, everyone becomes acceptable. - Lao Fzu

pg3

www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm

Facade
Many people would rather read and talk about spiritual growth than actually experience it. The sage understands this desire, and also its futility for change will come whether invited or not. - Lao Fzu

pg4

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=4

This just came out- and coincidentally this thread was recently commented on so I thought I might add this here-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFb7Hxva5rg&list=PLwxNMb28XmpdJpJzF2YRBnfmOva0HE0ZI&index=1

I think it might serve well as an introduction to Daoism and Lao Tzu,

Enjoy!

Apparently I didn't read this before I posted my thread. Whoops!

Focus
Focus your mind away from sensual input to discover a new depth of perception. You will then learn to perceive the more subtle, hidden things in your world as the sage does. - Lao Fzu

pg 5

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=5

Guide
Many make an endless and fruitless pursuit to find the right guide to help them on their path. The sage looks within knowing that in the end the only guide we can rely on is own intuition. - Lao Fzu

pg 6

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=6

LIV :

Tao's power is so deeply entrenched
it can never be uprooted.
Tao's power clings so tightly
it can never slip away.
It will endure for generations.

If you get in touch
with the power of Tao,
it will become real.
If your family gets in touch
with the power of Tao,
the power will flourish.

If your community gets in touch
with the power of Tao,
the power will grow even stronger.
If your country gets in touch
with the power of Tao,
the power will become abundant.

If the world gets in touch
with the power of Tao,
the power will be everywhere.

How can I know this?
I just do.

Lessons
Everyone you meet whether wise or foolish, has something to teach you. The sage appreciates everyone and everything, accepting the lessons offered by each in their own way. - Lao Fzu

pg 7

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=7

Have a nice weekend.

Meditation
Meditation is difficult when you expect to sit, close your eyes and instantly reach a deep level of awareness. The sage knows that meditation like all things worthwhile takes time devoted to it on a regular basis. - Lao Fzu

pg 8

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=8

This question comes up a lot, How to meditate?

I am always hesitant to join a conversation on Taoism. Word's always seem to mess with it, like muddying clear water. Talking about it, it becomes unreachable. It is one of the hardest thing's i have ever tried to explain. When people ask me "what is that book?" I just hand them my copy of the Tao Te Ching and ask them to find out for themselves. I became aware of Tao when i was a teenager and it fit perfectly to some of my own unformed beliefs, I found it fascinating and beautiful, and from then on it effected the way i fit into the world.
I am always hesitant to put words to it, I've tried in the past and usually i have left whoever is listening looking rather baffled and dumbfounded, and yet once you are aware, it's all perfectly simple. I believe that you have to feel it. Then you know.
You can become a part of it all. just rolling along, not really thinking or explaining or analyzing. Just sort of accepting thing's as they are and letting it all unfold. That's all i will say on that.

Paradox
Take events and people at face value to be often deceived. The sage understands the paradox of how strength appears as weakness, wisdom as foolishness and truth as fiction. - Lao Fzu

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=9

pg 9

I read a page almost everyday first thing with my morning coffee. I fell it has beeen make a gradual positive difference in my life.

Practice
Spiritual practice is about living life in a sane and humane way. As the sage knows, this is a positive end in itself. It is about the journey, not some nirvanic ending. - Lao Fzu

pg 10

http://www.taowoods.org/quote/index.htm?focus=10