Wen Tzu - Verse 35, Part I

from Verse Thirty-Five

The energy that people receive from nature is one in terms of the feelings of the senses toward sound, form, scent, and temperature. But the way in which it is managed differs, in that some die thereby, and some live thereby; some become exemplary people, some become petty people.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

The Way is available to all beings at all times. It smiles on the good, the bad, and the ugly. It reaches out to both male and female, young and old, rich and poor, powerful and impotent, human and nonhuman alike. It is ever present for those who feel it and for those who don't. No one can escape it because it is everything.

The differences and distinctions we recognize are not borne by the source of life; it is due to how each recipient accepts that which is poured out. If we embrace the One and try to live our lives in balance with the Way, our lives can be exemplary. If we push the One away and live our lives as slaves to our egos and desires, our lives will be petty, unbalanced and stressful.

We are each provided with an equal measure; it's what we do with it that determines the kind of person we each shall become. In other words, the onus solely is on each of us. If we shun our own nature and refuse to walk our own path, we punish ourselves.

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