Life Defined -- Point 9

9. Each person's life is a story scripted beforehand, and there is a great Story of Everything whose plot has been revealed to us in a Book.

From a Taoist perspective, each life unfolds -- nothing is scripted. Each being has its own nature, but, particularly in the case of humans, we don't always recognize or follow our nature. Just as importantly, as the many manifestations of the One, each actor creates a ripple effect by their actions and these ripples spread from the center to beyond and effect the actions of others.

While ancient Taoists themselves have written their thoughts into words -- which much later were laid out in book form -- both Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu will tell you that no one can get in touch with their own nature or infuse their life with the essence of Tao by reading a dumb 'ol book! Heck, reading the various words on this blog won't do the trick either!!

Words are merely fingers pointing at the unknowable and indefinable. People who come to revere books are confusing the fingers for what the fingers are pointing at!

So, quit reading what I'm writing here. Go find a place in which you can feel comfortable. Clear your mind. Release your ego. Tao is there.

This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.