Post-turkey reflection
Thanksgiving was good. I brined and cooked a turkey, then ate too much of it. My little brother got engaged, and my other brother's fiance informed me that I am going to be one of the best men in his wedding. I decided I am going to cut my hair sometime around new year's. (any suggestions?) I saw No Country For Old Men and was not able to speak for a good ten minutes afterward.
Some time ago, I was given a copy of the Tao Teh Ching (thanks) and I've read it through twice. There have been a couple chapters that keep popping back into my head for different reasons, and I thought I'd post them up here:
......
Chapter 11
Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub; It is the hole in the centre that the use of the cart hinges.
We make a vessel from a lump of clay; It is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.
We make doors and windows for a room; But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.
Thus, while the tangible has advantages, It is the intangible that makes it useful.
Chapter 22
Bend and you will be whole. Curl and you will be straight. Keep empty and you will be filled. Grow old and you will be renewed. Have little and you will gain. Have much and you will be confused.
Therefore, the Sage embraces the One, And becomes a Pattern to all under Heaven.
He does not make a show of himself, Hence he shines; He does not justify himself, Hence he becomes known; Does not boast of his ability, Hence he gets his credit; Does not brandish his success, Hence he endures;
Does not compete with anyone, Hence no one can compete with him.
Indeed the ancient saying: "Bend and you will remain whole" is no idle word. Nay, if you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.
Some time ago, I was given a copy of the Tao Teh Ching (thanks) and I've read it through twice. There have been a couple chapters that keep popping back into my head for different reasons, and I thought I'd post them up here:
......
Chapter 11
Thirty spokes converge upon a single hub; It is the hole in the centre that the use of the cart hinges.
We make a vessel from a lump of clay; It is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.
We make doors and windows for a room; But it is these empty spaces that make the room livable.
Thus, while the tangible has advantages, It is the intangible that makes it useful.
Chapter 22
Bend and you will be whole. Curl and you will be straight. Keep empty and you will be filled. Grow old and you will be renewed. Have little and you will gain. Have much and you will be confused.
Therefore, the Sage embraces the One, And becomes a Pattern to all under Heaven.
He does not make a show of himself, Hence he shines; He does not justify himself, Hence he becomes known; Does not boast of his ability, Hence he gets his credit; Does not brandish his success, Hence he endures;
Does not compete with anyone, Hence no one can compete with him.
Indeed the ancient saying: "Bend and you will remain whole" is no idle word. Nay, if you have really attained wholeness, everything will flock to you.