Meditation Archives - Page 19 of 21 - Madhu Bazaz Wangu
4
archive,paged,category,category-meditation,category-4,paged-19,category-paged-19,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,select-theme-ver-2.1,vertical_menu_enabled, vertical_menu_width_290,side_menu_slide_from_right,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-6.9.0,vc_responsive
 

Meditation

Thirty-Eighth Chapter

Posted on July 18, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Thirty-Eighth Chapter: Tao-te Ching A truly good person is not conscious of his virtue, and therefore possesses virtue. A foolish person tries to be virtuous and is therefore not virtuous. The sage does nothing, Yet he leaves nothing undone. The ordinary man is always doing things, yet many more are left to be done. The highest virtue is to act without a sense of ego. The highest kindness is to give generously. The highest justice is to see without prejudice. When Tao is lost, there is virtue. When virtue is lost, there is morality. When morality is lost, there is ritual. Ritual is husk of doctrines, the beginning of disorder. The sage follows his own nature, not the fluff of life. He dwells in the firm, not the flimsy. He dwells in the fruit, not the fluff. He dwells in the true, not the false. # As I...

Read More

Thirty-Seventh Chapter

Posted on July 11, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-Seventh Chapter: Tao-te Ching The Tao does nothing, and yet leaves nothing undone. If powerful can center themselves in the Tao, the whole world will transform spontaneously to its natural rhythms. Life will become simple. Pretenses will fall away. Our true nature will shine through. Without cravings there is calm. World straightens itself. In silence, one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself. # As I Understand It: If a person does nothing, is he worthless? Isn't he better than an interferer, a meddler, a controller? The sage knows interference causes problems to surface. She lets things follow their natural course and refuses to participate in the activities that cause harm. The sage does not allocate responsibilities; tell others what to do and how to do it. Instead of directing others she observes her own natural...

Read More

Thirty-Sixth Chapter

Posted on July 4, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Thirty-Sixth Chapter: Tao-te Ching In order to contain something, let it expand first. In order to weaken something, let it strengthen first. In order to eliminate something, let it flourish first. In order to take away something, let it be accessible first. This is called wisdom of obscurity. The weak and the tender outlast the hard and the strong. Fish should not leave deep waters, And a country's weapons should not be displayed. # As I Understand It: In our world, where competition and being first is given a high priority, the teachings in thirty-sixth chapter stir misgivings. The teachings tell us that obscure, tender, and subtle things are stronger in the long run: that we must experience humility to appreciate the powerful: that we should be bighearted to allow others to prosper. It may sound strange to children if we,...

Read More

Thirty-Fifth Chapter

Posted on June 27, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Thirty-Fifth Chapter: Tao-te Ching Hold fast to the great Tao, And the entire world will come. They come and will encounter no harm. In it they will find security, peace and health. Music and dainties are passing pleasures, And yet they make strangers stay. But how insipid and tasteless are things of the world As compared with the flow of the Tao! When we look for it, there is nothing to see. When we listen to it, there is nothing to hear. When we use it, it cannot be exhausted. # As I Understand It: Sages say the Tao is bliss. Invisible, it courses through them. It is the reason people flock to a sage to find security, peace and happiness. We relish the sensuous pleasures of the world; food, clothing, laughter, dance, music and such things, but are never satiated. No sooner have...

Read More

Thirty-Fourth Chapter

Posted on June 20, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Thirty-Fourth Chapter: Tao-te Ching The Great Tao flows everywhere. It may go left or right. All things depend on it for life, and it does not run away from them. It accomplishes its purpose, but does not claim credit for itself. It shelters all creatures but does not claim to be master over them. Always without desires, it may be called The Small. All things come to it and it does not master them. Thus, it may be called the Great. Like the Great Tao, the sage does not claim greatness, And thereby the sage achieves greatness. # As I Understand It: Great people who affect the human life in a positive way are extraordinary individuals. They achieve fame and fortune. They may even command and dominate. But the greatness of the Tao is not the same. The people who have experienced the...

Read More

Thirty-Third Chapter

Posted on June 13, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-Third Chapter: Tao-te Ching He who knows others has knowledge. He who knows himself has wisdom. He who conquers others requires force. He who conquers himself needs strength. He who is content with what he has is truly rich. He who acts with vigor lives long. He who is one with the Tao lives forever. As I Understand It: If you are a person with power and position you may think that you know other people well. But if you turn your gaze within you will see the world with a new light. Rather than trying to understand other people, understand yourself. Replace the power you think you have over others with the inherent power you have within. Instead of fretting over why some people upset you, explore why you get upset. Remain in touch with sensations that distress...

Read More

Thirty-Second Chapter

Posted on June 7, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-Second Chapter: Tao-te Ching Tao is eternal. It has no name. Though simple and subtle, none in the world can master it. If kings and barons could harness named things, they would obey. Heaven and earth would drip sweet dew. Everyone would live in harmony, not by official command, but by their own goodness. When the Tao is divided into 10,000 things, it gets complicated. Know when to stop. Stop naming. Avoid peril. Rivers and streams are born of the ocean, and all creation is born of the Tao. Just as rivers and streams flow back to become the sea. 10,000 things flow back to the Tao. # As I Understand It: The Tao energy that courses through us all is good. If you follow its goodness life is simple. Simple and subtle is spiritual. But how do you live a life that...

Read More

Thirty-first Chapter

Posted on May 30, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Thirty-first Chapter: Tao-te Ching Weapons are the tools of violence. Those who possess Tao never use them. Good ruler detests them. When a ruler's higher nature guides him, it is good omen. When a ruler's lower nature guides him, it is a bad omen. Weapons are the instruments of evil, not the tools of a good ruler. He uses them only as a last resort. Peace is dearest to his heart. Even when he is victorious in war, he finds no cause for rejoicing. He who takes delight in victory is the slaughterer of men. He who delights in the slaughter will not prevail upon the world. With the slaughter of the multitude, let us weep with sorrow and grief. Every victory is a funeral; let us observe the funeral ceremonies. # As I Understand It: None of the religious...

Read More

Thirtieth Chapter: Tao Te Ching

Posted on May 23, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
0 Comments

Thirtieth Chapter: Tao-te Ching The sage, who is attuned to Tao, warns the ruler against the use of arms for conquest. Weapons often turn upon the wielder. Wherever armies are stationed, briers and thorns grow. Great wars are always followed by famine. A good general stops when he achieves his purpose. He does not parade his victory. He does not boast his ability. He does not feel proud. He rather regrets that he has not been able to prevent the war. He must never think of conquering others by force. Whatever strains with force will soon decay. Because it is contrary to the Tao. Whatever is not attuned to the Way of Tao will soon perish. # As I understand it: Living a conflict free existence is in harmony with the Tao. Force creates a counterforce and this exchange goes on...

Read More

Twenty-Ninth Chapter

Posted on May 15, 2008
in Meditation, Reading
1 Comment

Twenty-Ninth Chapter: Tao-te Ching Do you think that you can take over the universe and improve it? I do not believe that it can be done. Universe is a totality in itself. It cannot be improved or controlled. Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to grasp leads to loss. Let your life unfold naturally. Know that it too is complete in itself. There is time for being ahead. And there is time for being behind. A time for being in motion and a time for being at rest. A time for being strong and a time for being exhausted. A time for being safe and a time for being in danger. The sage discards the extreme, the extravagant, and the excessive. For him all of life is a movement toward perfection. # As I understand it: What has happened...

Read More