in the final analysis, the hope of every person is simply peace of mind
(H.H.The Dalai Lama)
i think this is a good place for me to start: do i have peace of mind? if the answer is yes, then that is wonderful. if the answer is no, i need to examine my life to find out why. and fix it. this finding out can be done by some type of introspective thinking. journal writing is a good place to begin. this allows me to hold a conversation with myself. this gives me a place to call home-MY home, which I don't have to share with anyone, unless I choose to do so. i get to know myself. do i have peace of mind where i am and just not realize it? this is something which i can discover over several weeks of writing. if i truly don't, then what can i do about it? can i change my point of view, so that i have it where i am? can i change the situation where i am, so that i have peace of mind? if the answer is no, i need to determine what will give me peace of mind and find it. if leaving a situation, i suggest solitude for a time. this way i get to know the person i am now as i am. i am probably not the person i thought i was. so some time meditating, having more conversations with myself, and, after a while, making new friends lets me find out both who i am and who i want to be. simply to have peace of mind.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
P'u (the Uncarved Block)
i want to explain the concept of the Uncarved Block by means of an excerpt from a verse 48 of the Tao Te Ching:
pursue knowledge, daily gain
pursue Tao, daily loss
the word translated as "Uncarved Block" in Chinese is P'u or P'o. it refers to the state of original simplicity, of original being-as-it-is. the more i have about a tree, for instance, the less i know about the tree-as-it-is. my knowledge is wrapped around me until all i can see about the tree are my concepts of "leaves" "green" "bark" "brown" etc. all i can hear about the tree are my concepts of "blowing in the wind" "branches rustling "leaves falling" etc. i cannot see or hear a tree in front of me as it is. the concept of P'u is very important in the Tao Te Ching. returning to a state where one can experience the original state of the world, become like a babe, be like the Uncarved Block is the aim of the Tao Te Ching. i am born into the world able to experience the world as it is. the more i grow, the more i learn about the state of the world. the greater and denser becomes the cloak of knowledge, or words, even, that obscures this world that I once knew. the less i am able to do without this cloak of knowledge, this "action" about action. the aim of Taoism is to unwrap this cloak, to become like a babe, to erase the carvings on the block of wood. to learn, ultimately, how to do and be nothing.
pursue knowledge, daily gain
pursue Tao, daily loss
the word translated as "Uncarved Block" in Chinese is P'u or P'o. it refers to the state of original simplicity, of original being-as-it-is. the more i have about a tree, for instance, the less i know about the tree-as-it-is. my knowledge is wrapped around me until all i can see about the tree are my concepts of "leaves" "green" "bark" "brown" etc. all i can hear about the tree are my concepts of "blowing in the wind" "branches rustling "leaves falling" etc. i cannot see or hear a tree in front of me as it is. the concept of P'u is very important in the Tao Te Ching. returning to a state where one can experience the original state of the world, become like a babe, be like the Uncarved Block is the aim of the Tao Te Ching. i am born into the world able to experience the world as it is. the more i grow, the more i learn about the state of the world. the greater and denser becomes the cloak of knowledge, or words, even, that obscures this world that I once knew. the less i am able to do without this cloak of knowledge, this "action" about action. the aim of Taoism is to unwrap this cloak, to become like a babe, to erase the carvings on the block of wood. to learn, ultimately, how to do and be nothing.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Tao is now
"As long as the sun rises
And your heart beats
Tao is at hand"
Deng Ming Tao
Why do I look for Tao in obscure places? Why do I seek Tao in mysterious Sages? As long as I breath, Tao is here within me. I might be only dimly aware of this, but that dim awareness does not change the presence of Tao. Being in nature will help; meditation will help; both will help bring me to a better awareness of Tao. Even if I do neither of these, Tao is right at hand. Do I feel? Do I sense? Then I have direct access to Tao. Don't delay! Sense for it. Feel it. Tao is breath. Tao is now!
And your heart beats
Tao is at hand"
Deng Ming Tao
Why do I look for Tao in obscure places? Why do I seek Tao in mysterious Sages? As long as I breath, Tao is here within me. I might be only dimly aware of this, but that dim awareness does not change the presence of Tao. Being in nature will help; meditation will help; both will help bring me to a better awareness of Tao. Even if I do neither of these, Tao is right at hand. Do I feel? Do I sense? Then I have direct access to Tao. Don't delay! Sense for it. Feel it. Tao is breath. Tao is now!
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