from Verse One Hundred Sixty-SixTo contract is a means of seeking expansion, to bend is a way of seeking straightness. To contract an inch to expand a foot, or bend the small to straighten the great, are things that superior people do.~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~
As we've worked our way through the Tao Te Ching, Hua Hu Ching and now the Wen Tzu, we return again and again to this message that seems so contradictory. Lao Tzu tells us that we can go forward by going backward or we can grow tall by bending down.
When we simply look at the words printed on paper or a computer screen, this advice seems counter-intuitive (and a tad bit insane). However, when we allow ourselves to jettison the words replete with their assigned definitions, we know that the thoughts behind them ring true.
It is in the stillness of solitude that we understand.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
When we simply look at the words printed on paper or a computer screen, this advice seems counter-intuitive (and a tad bit insane). However, when we allow ourselves to jettison the words replete with their assigned definitions, we know that the thoughts behind them ring true.
It is in the stillness of solitude that we understand.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
i resent the "insane" comment, considering i just posted a comment a couple days ago with a bunch of contradicting statements! ;) actually i find contradictions express a lot of truth. they make sense to me. so maybe i really am insane, hmmmm....
ReplyDeleteMaybe just a tad bit? :D
ReplyDelete