Two
Two
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty only because there is ugliness.
All can know good as good only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy complement each other.
Long and short contrast each other;
high and low rest upon each other;
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
Obviously he’s pointing out the dichotomy of life were everything flows between opposites in a nonstop pattern, which no one really has much control of. The only thing we can do is except the pattern as is, because our limitations tell us to stop looking for ways to control it and start looking at another way to see it. Opposites actually need one another to survive, so if you’re emotionally attached to one the other side will always be showing you how polarized you are. And, if you look at life from a different angle by letting life happen without a judgment on the way it should be, then your ego has nowhere to plant its teeth. Looking at duality as part of the whole and not as separate opposing entities gives you the bigger picture of completeness, because one actually sustains the other and gives us the many qualities in life, and without it there would be no universe. That eventually translates into finding a harmonious balance with them and a inner peace results from accepting them as a necessary part of the whole, and without them no life, so it’s absolutely necessary.
Accept credit as part of your identity than you have accepted demerits as part. Why not do the best you can and don’t take stock in whatever befalls you whether good or bad, and don’t look for excuses or glorification, just look ahead or remain neutral in the moment, and know that living with imperfection is a must and it’s no reflection of who you really are! In fact, it’s a totally false representation of the truth and any ideals wrapped up in the way it should be is born to disappoint. Oscillating between opposites is what this place does and it will never stop, just observe it and when you’re on the top don’t let the ego in to claim any ground and when you’re on the bottom do the same. It all has nothing to do with the real you!
The real you is unscathed by the drama, however the mind thinks it knows who you are and because of that your emotions are tied up in what you perceive, thus you perceive harm. The Soul watches everything and follows that identity lead which the mind naturally takes up, because the mind rules down here and the Soul is always the silent observer. And when you work on your Self by focusing on the Self the power slowly returns to its rightful owner, but the mind will fight back, because taking a backseat to a silent observer is unnerving, however in the end the Observer reigns supreme.
Posted by Kurt at 7/10/2010 7:49 AM 
Categories: The Tao Spirituality
Tags: opposites Duality the Sage the Tao
Categories: The Tao Spirituality
Tags: opposites Duality the Sage the Tao
I think a basic knowledge of the fact of our creation is indispensible for peaceful living. To know there is something beyond the mind and is reachable is great thing to be aware of for a seeker. It makes all challenges of overcoming the mind worthwhile.
Sometimes I do worry about people who, like me, are unaware of these wonderful tools to improve their lives and are living in the same cycle of energies that don't really work but nevertheless adamantly insist they do. Suffering becomes pointless beyond a point. How much would it take for us to want to know ourself.
I'm trying to remain neutral and just observe and it gets easier everyday. It's also good to find something valuable everyday however small. This is definitely a path of peace and an unburdened way of living, which I'm very relieved to be!
Meditation works and a meditative life is wonderful to live.
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