VISIT WEBSITE >>>>> http://gg.gg/y83ws?3077026 <<<<<<
Chuang, , p. As we grow up, we learn about and define the different things we encounter. These definitions create a set of rules or beliefs we use to quickly navigate everyday life. For example, these beliefs inform us on what to wear, what to eat, what words to use, etc. I give a great leap and fly up, but I never get more than ten or twelve yards before I come down fluttering among the weeds and brambles.
Because the quail can not fly great distances he either does not believe the great bird can or despises the great bird because he can. These are both common faults resulting from the insistence on the complete correctness of our own traditions. This does not mean we have to abandon our set of beliefs. Perhaps the quails evaluation on his own ability to fly is wisely made. However, as our beliefs meet new circumstances it may be wise to consider their adaptation if any. Jesus too challenged common notions with some of the sayings provided below.
Trouble starts when we think we know right from wrong on our own. When making decisions between right and wrong we must consider both and how the righteousness of a thing might also be wrong in another sense. These concepts are also taught in the Gospel of Jesus Christ although in different words and perhaps due to the differences in audience. I believe Paul speaks to this subject in Romans chapter fourteen in trying to quite contention over whether members of the church should buy and eat sacrificial meat.
For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans ,14, In both of these examples we must use clarity, wisdom, revelation, etc. Moses Both of the above sources have helped me to be humble and recognize what my capacities are. In my daily work of advising students, I have heard many student strongly express one college or major is their only option or best option. I have been reminded of this quote from Chuang Chou and the arrow when I hear this.
I know decisions in life can be important, but I must also remember I lack the ability to absolutely see the end from the beginning in making such decisions. The idea of making informed decision and recognizing our weakness to do so may seem contradictory. I believe Chuang Chou taught important truths during his life in ancient China.
Be careful, be on your guard! If you offend him by parading your store of talents, you will be in danger! Tigers are a different breed from men, and yet you can train them to be gentle with their keepers by following along with them. The men who get killed are the ones who go against them. It was broad enough to shelter several thousand oxen and measured a hundred spans around, towering above the hills.
The lowest branches were eighty feet from the ground, and a dozen or so of them could have been made into boats. Why is that? Use it for doors and it would sweat sap like pine; use it for posts and the worms would eat them up. Are you comparing me with those useful trees? The cherry apple, the pear, the orange, the citron, the rest of those fructiferous trees and shrubs — as soon as their fruit is ripe, they are torn apart and subjected to abuse.
Their big limbs are broken off, their little limbs are yanked around. They bring it on themselves — the pulling and tearing of the common mob. This is of great use to me. If I had been of some use, would I ever have grown this large? Moreover you and I are both of us things. When Carpenter Shih woke up, he reported his dream. Say no more! It protects itself in a different way from ordinary people.
F What do I mean by a True Man? The True Man of ancient times did not rebel against want, did not grow proud in plenty, and did not plan his affairs. A man like this could commit an error and not regret it, could meet with success and not make a show. A man like this could climb the high places and not be frightened, could enter the water and not get wet, could enter the fire and not get burned. His knowledge was able to climb all the way up to the Way like this.
The True Man of ancient times slept without dreaming and woke without care; he ate without savoring and his breath came from deep inside. The True Man breathes with his heels; the mass of men breathe with their throats. Crushed and bound down, they gasp out their words as though they were retching. Deep in their passions and desires, they are shallow in the workings of Heaven. The True Man of ancient times knew nothing of loving life, knew nothing of hating death.
He emerged without delight; he went back in without a fuss. He came briskly, he went briskly, and that was all.
He received something and took pleasure in it; he forgot about it and handed it back again. This is what I call not using the mind to repel the Way, not using man to help out Heaven. This is what I call the True Man. Since he is like this, his mind forgets; his face is calm; his forehead is broad.
He is chilly like autumn, balmy like spring, and his joy and anger prevail through the four seasons. He goes along with what is right for things and no one knows his limit. Therefore, when the sage calls out the troops, he may overthrow nations but he will not lose the hearts of the people. His bounty enriches ten thousand ages but he has no love for men. Therefore he who delights in bringing success to things is not a sage; he who has affections is not benevolent; he who looks for the right time is not a worthy man; he who cannot encompass both profit and loss is not a gentleman; he who thinks of conduct and fame and misleads himself is not a man of breeding; and he who destroys himself and is without truth is not a user of men.
This was the True Man of old: his bearing was lofty and did not crumble; he appeared to lack but accepted nothing; he was dignified in his correctness but not insistent; he was vast in his emptiness but not ostentatious.
Mild and cheerful, he seemed to be happy; reluctant, he could not help doing certain things; annoyed, he let it show in his face; relaxed, he rested in his virtue. Tolerant, he seemed to be part of the world; towering alone, he could be checked by nothing; withdrawn, he seemed to prefer to cut himself off; bemused, he forgot what he was going to say.
This is what I mean by sitting down and forgetting everything. So you really are a worthy man after all! The king keeps it wrapped in cloth and boxed, and stores it in the ancestral temple. Now would this tortoise rather be dead and have its bones left behind and honored?
Or would it rather be alive and dragging its tail in the mud? What to do, what to rely on, what to avoid, what to stick by, what to follow, what to leave alone, what to find happiness in, what to hate? This is what the world honors: wealth, eminence, long life, a good name.
This is what the world finds happiness in: a life of ease, rich food, fine clothes, beautiful sights, sweet sounds. This is what it looks down on: poverty, meanness, early death, a bad name. This is what it finds bitter: a life that knows no rest, a mouth that gets no rich food, no fine clothes for the body, no beautiful sights for the eye, no sweet sounds for the ear. People who are rich wear themselves out rushing around on business, piling up more wealth than they could ever use — this is a superficial way to treat the body.
People who are eminent spend night and day scheming and wondering if they are doing right — this is a shoddy way to treat the body. This is a callous way to treat the body. Tzu-hsu wrangled and lost his body. I take inaction to be true happiness, but ordinary people think it is a bitter thing.
I say: perfect happiness knows no happiness, perfect praise knows no praise. And yet inaction can decide this. Perfect happiness, keeping alive — only inaction gets you close to this! Let me try putting it this way. The inaction of Heaven is its purity, the inaction of earth is its peace.
So the two inactions combine and all things are transformed and brought to birth.
Comments