Huainanzi - Entry 24

Trey Smith

Asking for fire is not as good as getting means of making fire; depending on someone to draw water is not as good as digging a well yourself.
~ a passage from The Book of Leadership and Strategy by Thomas Cleary ~

For me, this passage is about relying on the external to make our way in life. While Taoist philosophy certainly places an emphasis on silence and meditation, it also stresses the importance of being proactive, not passive.

When we expect others to satisfy our needs, we take ourselves out of the equation. We don't stand on our own two feet. When we demand that others make us happy or fill us with a sense of self-worth, the sensation only lasts as long as the others shovel it on. When they retire, we are left with a self-imposed sense of unhappiness and low self-esteem.

As social beings, we need the love, care and respect of others. The person who completely shuts themselves off from any manner of social interaction will, most likely, lead a shell of a full life. But while we need others to help us navigate the labyrinth of our existence, the true measure of ourselves must come from within.

We must be active participants in finding and following our own paths.

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