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| the way of wise words> inspirational sayings and stories inner dialogues recommended reading ask cosmic-cherry a question |
The Spirit of Taoism flows through these words...
Who is to say what is good and what is bad
A salutary lesson in life’s ups and downs
Once upon a time there was a peasant who saved up his money for many years until eventually he had enough to buy a horse. When he returned home from the market leading his new horse, his next-door neighbour came in to congratulate him. But the peasant, being a good Taoist replied, "Who knows what's good and what's bad!"
During the night his new horse escaped and all his savings were lost. His next-door neighbour came in to commiserate with him. But the peasant being a good Taoist, replied "Who knows what's good and what's bad!"
The following day the horse returned bringing with him a wild horse. Quickly the peasant sent his sons out to catch both of them. Now he had two horses. His next-door neighbour came in to congratulate him. But the peasant replied "Who knows what’s good and what's bad!"
The next day his eldest son was out breaking in the wild horse, when he fell off and broke his leg. The next-door neighbour came in to commiserate with him. But the peasant replied "Who knows what's good and what’s bad!"
Shortly after that the Emperor’s army came around seeking conscripts for the war then taking place. They would have taken the peasant’s eldest son, but since he now had a broken leg, he could go free. The next-door neighbour came in to congratulate him. But the peasant replied "Who knows what's good and what 's bad!"
Thus good fortune changes into bad fortune, and bad fortune into good.
Usefulness
A thought-provoking look at emptiness - being ready to receive
A wheel is useful because of the hole at the centre of the hub
A clay pot is useful because it contains empty space
Doors and windows are useful because they are gaps in the walls
The value of what is there lies in what is not there
The Value of Participating
Active involvement reinforces your know-how – try it
I hear and I forget
I see and I remember
I do and I know
Natural Goodness
Natural goodness doesn’t struggle
It simply brings out the best in people
Let go of your ideas about how it should be
In conflict, it is love that wins
love is the strongest protection
If you have love, it is as if heaven itself were keeping you safe.
Natural goodness is unconcerned with appearances
Natural goodness seems to do nothing and good things just happen
The Tao The Way
close your eyes and you will see clearly
cease to listen and you will hear the truth
be silent and your heart will sing
seek no contact and you will find union
be still and you will move forward on the tide of the spirit
be gentle and you will need no strength
be patient and you will achieve all things
be humble and you will remain entire