Bit by Bit - Chapter 7, Part 5

Trey Smith

In Cheng there was a shaman of the gods named Chi Hsien. He could tell whether men would live or die, survive or perish, be fortunate or unfortunate, live a long time or die young, and he would predict the year, month, week, and day as though he were a god himself. When the people of Cheng saw him, they dropped everything and ran out of his way. Lieh Tzu went to see him and was completely intoxicated. Returning, he said to Hu Tzu, "I used to think, Master, that your Way was perfect. But now I see there is something even higher!"

Hu Tzu said, "I have already showed you all the outward forms, but I haven't yet showed you the substance -- and do you really think you have mastered this Way of mine? There may be a flock of hens but, if there is no rooster, how can they lay fertile eggs? You take what you know of the Way and wave it in the face of the world, expecting to be believed! This is the reason men can see right through you. Try bringing your shaman along next time and letting him get a look at me."
~ Burton Watson translation ~

Let's face it. In one way or another, we all seek recognition. The three of us who write on this blog are no different than anyone else!

Where we differ from some is that we don't hold ourselves out as experts or enlightened gurus. We're just three blokes bumbling along in our own messes. We understand the forms to some extent, but we readily admit we haven't mastered much of anything.

To view the Index page for this series, go here.