Huainanzi - Entry 15

When water is polluted, fish choke; when government is harsh, people rebel.
~ a passage from The Book of Leadership and Strategy by Thomas Cleary ~

I find it so interesting that many of these quotes from the Chinese Masters dovetail so well with what is occurring throughout the world in regards to the Occupy movement. From Athens to London to New York City and so many points in between, the harshness of rampant corruption and inequality is spurring more and more people into the streets.

Just like fish in a polluted stream, we of the 99% are choking. We are trying so hard to keep our heads above the waterline, but we are being buffeted about by the debris of corporate capitalism. It pins down our arms, so that we can't swim. Each time we try to kick, our legs collide with obstacles. Even trying to float is near too impossible because the debris weighs us down.

We crave a clear stream where we can each paddle at our own pace. We crave a river with an even and steady flow. We want to have the opportunity to be able to pull out of the water to picnic on the sun-filled beach.

But those are unreachable dreams for most of us these days.

To read the introduction to this ongoing series, go here.