Verse Thirty-ThreeJust as the world can reveal itself as particles, the Tao can reveal itself as human beings. Though world and particles aren't the same, neither are they different. Though the cosmic body and your body aren't the same, neither are they different. Worlds and particles, bodies and beings, time and space: All are transient expressions of the Tao. Unseeable, ungraspable, the Tao is beyond any attempt to analyze or categorize it. At the same time, its truth is everywhere you turn. If you can let go of it with your mind and surround it with your heart, it will live inside you forever.~ Translated by Brian Walker ~
When we look at all aspects of this world on a molecular level, all matter is made from the same basic components. The water in a stream is formed through the combination of hydrogen and oxygen; most every cell in our body contains these same two elements. The coal that is converted into electricity to cool and heat our homes is carbon-based and we too are made from carbon.
Therefore, on the one hand, everything comes from the same source. On the other hand, however, every manifestation is unique. So, we're different and the same simultaneously.
The problem though is that most people only recognize one of these two truths. We embrace the differentiations, while neglecting the commonality. We celebrate the rights of the individual, while shoving the rights of the body politic to the side. In essence, our lives are marked by an us against them approach.
It is this constant antagonism that causes each of us such pain and misery. We erect artificial and arbitrary barriers between ourselves and others, humanity and nature, and our own bodies and spirit. Almost every moment of our lives involves some sort of manufactured dichotomy.
While it's next too impossible to eradicate this split completely, too many of us don't even try at all. We wallow in our own [imaginary] excrement and then wonder why we smell so bad.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
Therefore, on the one hand, everything comes from the same source. On the other hand, however, every manifestation is unique. So, we're different and the same simultaneously.
The problem though is that most people only recognize one of these two truths. We embrace the differentiations, while neglecting the commonality. We celebrate the rights of the individual, while shoving the rights of the body politic to the side. In essence, our lives are marked by an us against them approach.
It is this constant antagonism that causes each of us such pain and misery. We erect artificial and arbitrary barriers between ourselves and others, humanity and nature, and our own bodies and spirit. Almost every moment of our lives involves some sort of manufactured dichotomy.
While it's next too impossible to eradicate this split completely, too many of us don't even try at all. We wallow in our own [imaginary] excrement and then wonder why we smell so bad.
This post is part of a "miniseries". For an introduction, go here.
This is one of the things that drew me to Pantheism (which I suspect, could learn a lot from Taoism). All things are made up of the same "stuff" and yet are different. We are all connected.
ReplyDeleteI think most people of a "green" persuasion would agree with you. ; )
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