One sure way to better understand the concepts within philosophical Taoism is to watch the lives of animals: a neighboring robin, a ladybug in the garden, a butterfly or hummingbird passing by or any number of domesticated animals in our midst. Our family currently is blessed with 4 such examples: Heidi (dog), Mookie, Dylan and Little Bit (cats). Of the four, Little Bit (LB) selflessly embodies the principles of Tao more than any other creature I have ever known.
LB is a one-eyed cat. We had to have his right eye surgically removed after a fight with a former house resident, Myron (who we surrendered at the shelter after that). LB doesn't have an enemy in the world; he seems to befriend every creature he runs across -- even Myron was a buddy albeit a rough buddy. Every being in our house adores him and he seems on good terms with all the other creatures in our area.
He encompasses the concept of wu wei to the max. He's always partaking of some adventure while not appearing to be doing anything. If you ever wanted truly to understand the notion of "go with the flow", all you would need to do is to watch LB for an hour or so and the definition would become crystal clear.
More so than our other cats, LB is a lover of the natural world. He talks often to butterflies, worms and moles. He chases wisps of air all around the yard and delights in catching (and eating) grasshoppers. He's quite an accomplished mouser too, though I suspect he feels the need to explain to each caught mouse that "it's nothing personal".
While our other two feline boys enjoy sitting in the sun (yes, it does show its face around here every so often), LB meditates in the sun. He shuts his one eye and I sometimes even think I hear him doing complicated chanting.
Finally, no matter the situation, Little Bit never seems to get stressed out -- that's Dylan's department! He is so pliable in your arms that an unscrupulous person could twist a leg off and he'd simply wink at you and roll on his other side. During those rare ocassions when we have to doctor one of our brood, LB is the easiest to handle, even when it's obvious he's suffering in pain.
So, if you're ever in my neck of the woods and you'd like to see the full embodiment of philosophical Taoism, come sit on our front steps and watch Little Bit in inaction. You'll be underwhelmed in a most pleasing way.
LB is a one-eyed cat. We had to have his right eye surgically removed after a fight with a former house resident, Myron (who we surrendered at the shelter after that). LB doesn't have an enemy in the world; he seems to befriend every creature he runs across -- even Myron was a buddy albeit a rough buddy. Every being in our house adores him and he seems on good terms with all the other creatures in our area.
He encompasses the concept of wu wei to the max. He's always partaking of some adventure while not appearing to be doing anything. If you ever wanted truly to understand the notion of "go with the flow", all you would need to do is to watch LB for an hour or so and the definition would become crystal clear.
More so than our other cats, LB is a lover of the natural world. He talks often to butterflies, worms and moles. He chases wisps of air all around the yard and delights in catching (and eating) grasshoppers. He's quite an accomplished mouser too, though I suspect he feels the need to explain to each caught mouse that "it's nothing personal".
While our other two feline boys enjoy sitting in the sun (yes, it does show its face around here every so often), LB meditates in the sun. He shuts his one eye and I sometimes even think I hear him doing complicated chanting.
Finally, no matter the situation, Little Bit never seems to get stressed out -- that's Dylan's department! He is so pliable in your arms that an unscrupulous person could twist a leg off and he'd simply wink at you and roll on his other side. During those rare ocassions when we have to doctor one of our brood, LB is the easiest to handle, even when it's obvious he's suffering in pain.
So, if you're ever in my neck of the woods and you'd like to see the full embodiment of philosophical Taoism, come sit on our front steps and watch Little Bit in inaction. You'll be underwhelmed in a most pleasing way.
Animals are always give good object lessons in the philosophical Tao.
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