Hua Hu Ching - Verse 32

Verse Thirty-Two

The ego says that the world is vast, and that the particles which form it are tiny. When tiny particles join, it says, the vast world appears. When the vast world disperses, it says, tiny particles appear. The ego is entranced by all these names and ideas, but the subtle truth is that world and particle are the same; neither one vast, neither one tiny. Every thing is equal to every other thing. Names and concepts only block your perception of this Great Oneness. Therefore it is wise to ignore them. Those who live inside their egos are continually bewildered: they struggle frantically to know whether things are large or small, whether or not there is a purpose to joining or dispersing, whether the universe is blind and mechanical or the divine creation of a conscious being. In reality there are no grounds for having beliefs or making comments about such things. Look behind them instead, and you will discern the deep, silent, complete truth of the Tao. Embrace it, and your bewilderment vanishes.

~ Translated by Brian Walker ~

One question each of us asks at some point in our lives is: How do I measure up? We compare our intelligence, appearance, manners, status, financial situation and/or the various baubles and doodads we've collected in comparison to those around us. If we decide that we're doing a lot better than most, then we become full of ourselves. If we decide that we're faring much worse, then we tend to feel inferior and also resentful.

Why does it matter so damn much? Whether we're ahead or behind, we shall each end up dead one day and, whatever we've accumulated in this life, we can't take it with us!

This longing to be on par or ahead of others brings us nothing but headaches and heartaches. We're always striving for what we don't have and this results in bucket loads of stress, anxiety, self-loathing and jealousy.

Is that what you want for your life?

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