Earlier today, in Verse 131, Part 1 of the Wen Tzu, we came across Lao Tzu's supposition that doing the right thing in any given situation is the easier road. As I indicated in that post, this notion seems to run against the grain of commonsense western thought. In Judeo-Christian teachings -- which permeate the west -- falling prey to our vices and "sins of the flesh" is said to be easy, while leading a Christ-bound life is said to be difficult.
And let's be honest, in the time frame of right now, this is true. If I want something you have and I take it forcefully, I have it and you don't! My immediate desire is quenched. I got what I wanted and everyone else can be damned.
But the moment the desire and right now part company, what was easy becomes fraught with difficulty. We have to deal with self-loathing, distrust, hurt feelings, revenge and retaliation, and a myriad of other emotions and repercussions. Thus, what appeared to be momentarily easy becomes anything but easy for the rest of the time.
I had a friend once -- he's no longer a friend -- whose life goal seemed to be constant manipulation. He appeared to have a congenital defect against being frank and honest. Even when being truthful was the easiest road to take in the immediacy of right now, he almost always shaded the truth one way or another.
In his mind's eye, manipulating others to get what you want was as easy as pie. He told me, on more than one occasion, that the majority of humanity was incredibly gullible and it was easy to get what he wanted from them almost every time. In a way, he was right, except that...
...a lot of people neither liked nor trusted him. He seemed to jump from one tempest to another. He had trouble keeping track of which half-truths and bald-faced lies he told to which people and, to cover his tracks, he had to tell more half-truths and bald-faced lies. In short order, his life became based on a mountain of dishonesty, layers and layers thick.
What became so comical -- in a sad and pathetic sort of way -- is that he simply would not see that his surefire easy method of relating to others was, in fact, making his life and relationships 10 times more difficult than they needed to be. He spent so much time and energy putting out the fires he had created and soothing ruffled feathers that he rarely had time to catch his breath.
It doesn't sound like an easy road to me at all.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
And let's be honest, in the time frame of right now, this is true. If I want something you have and I take it forcefully, I have it and you don't! My immediate desire is quenched. I got what I wanted and everyone else can be damned.
But the moment the desire and right now part company, what was easy becomes fraught with difficulty. We have to deal with self-loathing, distrust, hurt feelings, revenge and retaliation, and a myriad of other emotions and repercussions. Thus, what appeared to be momentarily easy becomes anything but easy for the rest of the time.
I had a friend once -- he's no longer a friend -- whose life goal seemed to be constant manipulation. He appeared to have a congenital defect against being frank and honest. Even when being truthful was the easiest road to take in the immediacy of right now, he almost always shaded the truth one way or another.
In his mind's eye, manipulating others to get what you want was as easy as pie. He told me, on more than one occasion, that the majority of humanity was incredibly gullible and it was easy to get what he wanted from them almost every time. In a way, he was right, except that...
...a lot of people neither liked nor trusted him. He seemed to jump from one tempest to another. He had trouble keeping track of which half-truths and bald-faced lies he told to which people and, to cover his tracks, he had to tell more half-truths and bald-faced lies. In short order, his life became based on a mountain of dishonesty, layers and layers thick.
What became so comical -- in a sad and pathetic sort of way -- is that he simply would not see that his surefire easy method of relating to others was, in fact, making his life and relationships 10 times more difficult than they needed to be. He spent so much time and energy putting out the fires he had created and soothing ruffled feathers that he rarely had time to catch his breath.
It doesn't sound like an easy road to me at all.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
"while leading a Christ-bound life is said to be difficult."
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult.
Because it is done for the wrong reasons.
The Christian God is someone you seriously don't want to annoy.
Take away the religion and one does what one does because one knows it to be right.
God is easy to fall in line with, once one realizes that the usual representation of God is absurd.
a lie is a perfect example of this. the truth stands alone, but a lie has to be constantly covered up and rationalized.
ReplyDeleteanger has to be justified, war has to be justified, violence has to be justified, but peace and understanding doesn't need an explanation.
sometimes anger is justified, etc... but justified anger is 10 times more difficult than peace because it requires constant diligence.
Crow,
ReplyDeleteWell, here's another excellent example of a lot of froth, but no beer...points without examples.
Iktomi, on the other hand, states an opinion and then explains the reason she has drawn this conclusion. Bravo (as always).
You should study Iktomi's response, Crow. It illustrates a very effect mode of communication. Though I realize you are dead set in your ways, this extremely bright and articulate young woman could teach you a thing or two about the art of conversation and dialog.
I wonder just how deep you are willing to plumb the depths of pettiness, RT, to try to damage me in some way.
ReplyDeleteOne would imagine that, by now, you would recognize your foolishness and call it a day.
Oh no, the big bad wolf is being victimized! He can insult people left and right, but try to make a substantive point and his panties get all in a wad.
ReplyDeletegah oh no! i'm "teacher's pet" again! :( hello swirlies...
ReplyDeleteYup. You duh teacher's pet.
ReplyDeleteWell... in my humble opinion, what we human did and still do, wrong is to 'interpret' religions (in general) so literally when real 'comprehension' has an entirely different meaning.
ReplyDeleteAnyway...
About your not-anymore friend, there's a psiquiatric explanation for that, written by Dr. Lobaczewski, which explains ALOT about politics, religion, good and evil and etc. This humble no-body HIGHLY recommend it http://www.ponerology.com/
:D