The Advantage To Being An Outsider

Trey Smith

If you have a disability or weakness, learn how to use it to your advantage. Also, do not misuse a strength or talent so that it becomes your undoing. The sage thus appears to have the benefit of unseen forces.
~ a Taoist Daily Quote from Lao Fzu ~

One of the hallmarks of Asperger's Syndrome is the feeling of being an outsider. In many respects, the social world is like a puzzle and, for whatever reason, we haven't been provided with all the pieces. This makes it quite difficult to put the puzzle together in such a way that it makes sense. When we look at the fractured picture, it still looks like some crazy puzzle!

Hold this thought in mind as I share a snippet of Glenn Greenwald's excellent column from Sunday.

One can object to some of its particulars, but Frank Bruni has a quite interesting and incisive New York Times column today about a new independent film called Compliance, which explores the human desire to follow and obey authority.

Based on real-life events that took place in 2004 at a McDonalds in Kentucky, the film dramatizes a prank telephone call in which a man posing as a police officer manipulates a supervisor to abuse an employee with increasing amounts of cruelty and sadism, ultimately culminating in sexual assault – all by insisting that the abuse is necessary to aid an official police investigation into petty crimes.

That particular episode was but one of a series of similar and almost always-successful hoaxes over the course of at least 10 years, in which restaurant employees were manipulated into obeying warped directives from this same man, pretending on the telephone to be a police officer.

Bruni correctly notes the prime issue raised by all of this: "How much can people be talked into and how readily will they defer to an authority figure of sufficient craft and cunning?" That question was answered 50 years ago by the infamous experiment conducted by psychologist Stanley Milgram, in which an authority figure in a lab coat instructed participants to deliver what they were told were increasingly severe electric shocks to someone in another room whom they could hear but not see. Even as the screams became louder and more agonizing, two-thirds of the participants were induced fully to comply by delivering the increased electric shocks.

Most disturbingly, even as many expressed concerns and doubts, they continued to obey until the screams stopped – presumably due to death (subsequent experiments replicated those results). As the University of California's Gregorio Billikopf put it, the Milgram experiment "illustrates people's reluctance to confront those who abuse power", as they "obey either out of fear or out of a desire to appear co-operative – even when acting against their own better judgment and desires".

Bruni ties all of this into our current political culture, noting one significant factor driving this authoritarian behavior: that trusting authority is easier and more convenient than treating it with skepticism.

You see, naturally being an outsider makes it far easier to be a skeptic. In situations where most people will try to appease authority, Aspies tend to follow the beat of their own drum. In other words, from what I've seen, most of us tend not to be followers, blind or otherwise.

Owing to the advice of Lao Fzu, I utilize this space on this blog to use my so-called disability to an advantage. Being a natural skeptic, it is far easier for me to discern others who manipulate and abuse authority. And, since I am autistic and I don't readily fit in with general society, I don't worry about trying to fit in.

Even though I am a leftist, I can just as easily criticize the actions of Democrats as I can of Republicans. In fact, I am more critical of the Democrats because they pretend to care about the needs of the masses. This is why I am so critical of Barack Obama: he pretends to be a populist when he is really a corporatist!

No Such Requirement

Trey Smith

Some people worship their god(s) out of fear, some for personal gain. The sage does neither preferring to follow the Tao which bears no grudge nor gives special favor to anyone.
~ the Taoist Daily Quote by Lao Fzu ~

From time to time, I feature the Daily Quote from the TaoWoods Center. I'm featuring this one because it comes very close to my understanding of Tao.

In my mind's eye, since Tao is not a distinct entity, what is there to worship anyway?

It would be like worshiping a cake recipe. The recipe doesn't make the cake; it merely offers the step-by-step process for the cake to be made.

In this same vein, Tao is the process of the cosmos. Tao is not an it that makes the cosmos go -- Tao is the process of the cosmos going itself.

How Tao?

People often ask how you become a Taoist, what books do you read, what temples do you attend? The sage replies that you don't become a Taoist, you just realize that Taoist is a name for what you already are.
~ Today's Daily Quote from Lao Fzu ~

When people ask me about Taoism -- it happens not infrequently in my small community -- I often fumble with just the right words. I start down one path, then in mid-sentence, I think better of it and dart a different direction. So, I think I will copy today's Daily Quote on a piece of paper and put it in my wallet!!

In one sense, Taoism is nothing more than a framework -- as are all philosophies and religions. It is a way to express that which we can never fully understand nor describe. Each belief framework has its own symbols, themes and phraseology. Most such systems feature written or oral texts that expound on the unexpoundable.

In another sense, today's Daily Quote is a two-sentence summary of much of what Scott Bradley writes about. We are who we are and what is is what is. All our posturing really is for naught.

When I came to the philosophy of Taoism over a decade ago, I discovered I had been a Taoist all my life -- I just didn't realize it. The themes of this ancient philosophy were the same themes that had guided my life. The formulations of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu were the ones that had been on my mind and in my dreams.

I am a philosophical Taoist, though I happily acknowledge that Tao is a made-up word. I think that is fitting since much of our lives are made-up too. ;-)

Some "Advice" on Advice

Giving advice to others is a difficult job as the sage well knows. Fools already know everything so don't listen, while the truly wise have no need for it. Thus, those who know don't speak.
~ Today's Daily Quote from Lao Fzu ~

Tao Bible - Psalm 85:5

Wilt thou be angry with us for ever? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations?
~ King James version ~

When you find yourself angry with someone, who suffers you or them? The sage understands that anger is our own problem that others are often unaware of and incapable of removing.
~ Words of Lao Fzu ~

Another lamentation about God being angry with his "chosen people."

As Lao Fzu suggests, anger is not caused by others; it is born in the ego of the self. I believe this as true for humans as it would be for a god. In the end, anger is more dangerous to the being who holds it, not for those it is aimed at.

If you're interested in reading more from this experimental series, go to the Tao Bible Index page.

The Creation Syndicate

The gods of man have many faces and names, but upon closer inspection they are more alike than different. The sage sees beyond the gods to the formless unseen creator of them all.
~ Today's daily quote from Lao Fzu ~

When many people read the second line of the Tao Te Ching -- the one that states the "the name that can be named is not the eternal name" -- they look at it in strictly Taoist terms. But I think Lao Tzu was making a far more profound point! It's not simply that Tao is a made-up word, but so too are Yahweh, Allah, Brahman, Jehovah, Odin and the Great Spaghetti Monster.

Humans are the sole owners of a grand creation syndicate. We've created all of the gods and forces that we bow down to or philosophize about. We are the sole authors of all of our "holy" books. Everything religious or philosophical is derived from the creative impulses in our minds.

Since we are incapable of understanding the Grand Mystery of life and existence, we create mammoth bedtime stories to calm the nervous questions that boil up in the nights of our lives. In most of these stories, the knight in shining armor arrives at some point to rescue those in distress -- all or some of us -- and the story winds down to a more or less happy ending.

There is nothing wrong with a good story AS LONG AS we don't confuse the story for reality. Of course, since these stories do permeate certain societies, far too many people come to see the myths and fables that we created as truth itself. We tell these stories to each other so often that we forget the fiction aspect inherent.

Those Darn Words Again

All words used in teachings are mere references to the real thing. The true experience is gained through living your own life. Even then, the sage understands the holiest of words are still only words.
~ Today's Daily Quote from Advice by Lao Fzu ~

Too bad this quote didn't come out a few days ago. I would have used it in the post of the TTC, Verse 1, Line 4!

All it does is underscore a point that Scott, I and countless others have made over and over again: Words are functional tools in this realm of existence, but they pale in comparison to actual experience. No matter how well ANY of us can define or describe something, it amounts to nothing more than a nebulous approximation of whatever it is we're trying to describe.

To meet Tao face-to-face, so to speak, we each must move to that place that is beyond words. If not, words will prove to be an impenetrable barrier that cannot be breached.

Looking in All the Wrong Places

Many search in vain for the sage who can lead them to understanding never realizing they have no concept of who it is they are looking for. The sage sees them every day, offering words of wisdom to deaf ears.

~ Today's Daily Quote from Advice by Lao Fzu ~

This daily quote certainly falls in line with the last posted saying of Chen Jen and a few of my recent posts. In my humble opinion, far too many of us spend our lives searching for someone -- anyone -- to lead us to a supposed promised land. Society has conditioned us to believe that there are divine or principled guides out there waiting for us to find them and willing to lead us by the nose once we prostrate ourselves before them.

So, we spend our lives searching and searching. We look high and low, far and near. Sometimes we find someone who we believe will teach us about the meaning of life, but the questions refuse to let go and continue to dog us. Many people spend their entire lifetime latching unto one person after another. They feel better about themselves temporarily, yet, in short order, they become disillusioned and start the search anew.

It's sad to say that it seems the majority of people are looking in all the wrong places and constantly barking up the wrong tree. There actually is the kind of person they are looking for; they simply don't recognize the image they see in the mirror everyday!

If you're looking for the one sage to provide the essence and sustenance to your life's dreams, look inside yourself. There, removed from all the manifestations of ego, is your vital core, that part of you that swims in the stream called Tao.

You are the answer to your quest. You are the sage of your own life.

Will you listen?

Cloaking Devices

Your body is merely a cloak you wear while you interact with others in a physical world. The sage has a level of understanding that allows seeing one's true self beyond the cloak worn.

~ Yesterday's Daily Quote from Advice from Lao Fzu ~

We each wear different hats (or cloaks) as we move through each day. We can be the child, parent, partner, coworker, colleague, customer, neighbor, friend and/or stranger. Often, depending on the hat worn, we comport ourselves in different ways.

I recently shed one of my cloaking devices; I shaved off my mustache and goatee! I do this every 12 months or so to allow my face to breath. However, both have already begun the process of regrowth and, in no time at all, my appearance will return to what people are more used to.

It's funny, but most of the people I've run into around town can't seem to figure out what looks different about me. People have asked me if a) I've lost weight, b) Cut the hair on the top of my head or c) I'm wearing a different outfit. Only a very few people have noticed that my face is lacking its usual facial hair.

Consequently, many have interacted with me differently, yet they don't know why!

There's no great philosophical point to my musings right now. Perhaps, you should concentrate on the quote from Lao Fzu instead!!

Serendipity on Leadership

It's interesting how serendipity tends to work. Last night I started to read the next book on my reading list: The Power of Four: Leadership Lessons of Crazy Horse by Joseph M. Marshall III. According to the book's jacket,

The best-selling author of The Lakota Way retells the great chief's story to reveal the four principles that made Crazy Horse a dynamic and compassionate leader, not only in battle but in life -- lessons that all of us can use, whether we lead or follow.

Upon awakening this morning, I checked my email and found this:

It is an irony of nature that those who seek positions of leadership are often the least qualified. The sage is content to serve others, following behind them without recognition.

~ Today's Daily Quote from Advice from Lao Fzu ~

Consequently, with these two resources complimenting each other, I've spent a bit of time this day pondering the concept of leadership.

I've realized how ass backwards we utilize this concept in our so-called modern western democracies. Our leaders, by and large, are self-anointed. They decide to enter politics and then spend inordinate amounts of money, energy and time trying to convince others both that a) He or she possesses the intrinsic qualities needed to be an effective leader and b) Their qualities are better or not as bad as their opponents.

In pre-reservation Lakota society -- this equally is true in many other so-called primitive cultures -- people became leaders by being pushed up through the ranks by others. The individual's experience and wisdom led to thoughts and actions that benefited the community and, in time, people came to trust the judgment of said individuals. In other words, leaders were CREATED by people willing to follow them.

However, unlike elected leaders -- those whose positions are defined and protected by codified laws and regulations -- chosen leaders serve for an undetermined amount of time. Chosen leaders maintain their mantel of leadership so long as they continue to serve the needs of the community. When they turned away from this ideal, as Marshall points out,

...the Lakota people of the northen plains had the best deterrent to bad leaders: They simply stopped following them. As long as a leader was effective, people followed. If he abused the faith and trust placed in him, the people could turn away from him and there was nothing to be done.

Some may argue that we have a similar system erected in that "leaders" who are no longer effective can be voted out of office. I might agree with this point IF the nature of modern politics dealt with substance over fluff. But we all know politics is about nothing more than spin than anything else. A nation could be going to hell in a hand basket -- hmm, sort of like the US -- but all one has to do is spin it just the right way and the people will keep electing the same doofuses over and over again!

Even IF we grant the argument that the public can jettison ineffective leaders, this still doesn't deal with the underlying problem that the vast majority of these so-called leaders are created artificially. They aren't created organically from within society; they thrust themselves to the top of the ladder.

Many of these potential wannabe leaders claim that they want to lead because they believe in public service. My general reaction to such pronouncements is to wish the person would shut up and go serve the public...anonymously. Decide what societal ill he or she wishes to address and then to go out and roll up their sleeves.

Unfortunately, more often than not, the public service rationale is utilized not as an end unto itself, but as a MEANS to an altogether different end. Public service is used as a prop to get what they really want: power! It's window dressing, not a conviction.

In far too many cases, this is how the "leadership" candidate's gambit of public service plays out.

First, you will call a press conference to announce you will selflessly (a bit of a contradiction, don't ya think?) give of yourself to the public.

Second, you will alert the print and video media of the time and place you will avail yourself to the needs of the public.

Third, you will meet with your advisers to pick out what you will wear and what catch phrases you shall utter..."off the top of your head."

Fourth, you won't move a muscle until the cameras are all set up at the proper angles and the print journalists have their tape recorders or pens ready to record your "selfless" acts.

Finally, after the media has sufficient footage, photos or quotes, the whole operation will be shutdown and you can now go back to your typical routine.

Public service in the limelight is a charade. It's a dog and pony show.

The kind of people who participate in these farces should immediately be disqualified from being a leader...of the free world or a Girl Scout troop!!!

Real Life Tao - The Dark Side

A negative attitude attracts negative people and creates negative results. The sage knows that maintaining a positive attitude will always bring a measure of success in due time.

~ Today's Taoist Daily Quote from Lao Fzu ~

Back in the 80s through early 90s, I plied my trade as a Licensed Social Worker. For the most part, I worked with dysfunctional families that had issues that centered around child and/or spousal abuse. While many of my adult clients readily recognized the problems within their families and worked hard to rectify the situation, a not insignificant number simply couldn't or wouldn't fathom why their lives were filled with so much negative energy and forces.

Of course, it was so every easy to identify these individuals. They were the ones who came to meetings with a dour expression and complaints about everything under the sun.

• My children, spouse, partner, parents, coworker, neighbor, pastor or (fill in the blank) doesn't like me or is out to get me.
• I keep getting involved with one abuser, alcoholic, deadbeat, pathological liar or (fill in the blank) after another.
• The world, God, fate, luck or (fill in the blank) is and will always be against me.
• No matter how hard I try to change, my boss, partner, in-laws, friends, relatives or (fill in the blank) always undermine[s] me.

It didn't matter what the issue was. It didn't matter how easy it might be to complete. It didn't matter if we bent over backward to give an individual a second, third or fourth chance to resolve the problem. Every attempt to help the family mitigate the key issues was met with negativity.

On many occasions, I would pointblank tell the person that their own negative aura was the biggest stumbling block to healing. In most cases, the people who attract negativity are the people who project it outward.

In many ways, our beliefs and attitudes about the world around us behave like a magnet. People who tend to see the good in life attract goodness and beauty. People who tend to see the badness of life are more apt to attract disharmony and ugliness. So, if negativity seems to cling to us like a fly stuck on flypaper, the first place to look is in the mirror!

This is not to say that individuals with a positive attitude never meet ugliness nor calamity along the path. In my opinion, it's impossible to live a meaningful life and NOT run into hurdles or barriers from time to time. But the person who embraces the Way is better able to deal with the yin and the yang of life.

When the negative person encounters lemons, she/he is apt to throw up their hands and mutter something about this being par for the course.

When the positive person encounters lemons, they simply make lemonade! In other words, they take in stride all that this life can dish out. They deal with the good and the bad, then continue walking down the road.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.

Look No Further

Read this book, visit that temple. Always someone is eager to guide us to the truth. There is no language of the Tao. The sage learns from observing the ordinary world around us.

~ Today's Daily Quote from Advice from Lao Fzu ~

To my mind's eye, today's Daily Quote really sums up the essence of philosophical Taoism. While the discussions, writings and insights provided on this blog and others can certainly point you in directions to ponder, the grand mystery is beyond all attempts to define and confine it.

All I hope to accomplish is to interest and/or motivate you (and myself!) to move past the bounds of rationality and language to discover the truth of the Way that encompasses each of us. You could learn far more than reading these words by laying in a lush meadow and staring at the sky or by sitting quietly in a room and listening to your own breath.

People spend their entire lives fruitlessly searching for meaning and the truth, when, in fact, it is within each of us all along.