I want to continue with March’s blog theme – Suffering – by explaining that Taoism (spelled with a “T” but pronounced with a “D”) is an ancient Truth, as with the other five widely known religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.
Last week, I touched on the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and how they bring about WHOLENESS, i.e., becoming whole or complete.
In the Tao Te Ching there is a saying by Lao Tau:
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
There’s more to the saying and I’ll continue it below. I stop at this point because I believe you are beginning to understand some of what Lao Tzu is writing about.
By yielding, we overcome the sufferings of life (ego, pride, greed, etc.), and allow ourselves to experience the WHOLENESS that we are meant to experience all the while by living in a world that is continually changing. When we can “Yield and overcome” those very things that overshadow us, we are able to live from our core…our heart…our true Self.
By yielding the ego, we do not get rid of it. The ego is part of us. It is only by pure knowledge (that which is written by avatars, saints and sages) that we can transcend the ego, yield and overcome.
Enjoy the rest of Lao Tzu’s writing:
Therefore the wise embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.
Next week: Sufism, Mystical Islam…Living from the Core of Our Being is Becoming Whole.
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