Tag: Buddhism

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That Which Shrinks Must First Expand

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Six “That which shrinksMust first expand.That which failsMust first be strong.That which is cast downMust first be raised.Before receivingThere must be giving.  This is called perception of the nature of things.” One cannot exist without its opposite and it’s the nature of the universe to pass from one to the other. When we can see this working we can see its true nature. “Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.  Fish cannot leave deep waters,And a country’s weapons should not be displayed.” The power of softness and apparent weakness can then be … Continue reading That Which Shrinks Must First Expand

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It Cannot Be Exhausted

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Five  “All men will come to him who keeps to the one,For there lie rest and happiness and peace.  Passersby may stop for music and good food,But a description of the TaoSeems without substance or flavor.It cannot be seen, it cannot be heard,And yet it cannot be exhausted.” Those that stay with the Tao will be able to rest in peace in the eternal, it’s a place of refuge and healing. Those that engage in life’s addictions and pleasures can’t find it. But in the stillness and silence it’s beyond the ‘substance … Continue reading It Cannot Be Exhausted

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The Great Tao Flows Everywhere

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Four  “The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.The ten thousand things depend upon it; it holds nothing back.It fulfills its purpose silently and makes no claim.  It nourishes the ten thousand things,And yet is not their lord.It has no aim; it is very small.  The ten thousand things return to it,Yet it is not their lord.It is very great.  It does not show greatness,And is therefore truly great.” A beautiful, poetic description of the Tao, making the point that it lies below the universe that we recognise … Continue reading The Great Tao Flows Everywhere

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Mastering The Self Needs Strength

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of Tao Te Ching Part Thirty Three “Knowing others is wisdom;Knowing the self is enlightenment.Mastering others requires force;Mastering the self needs strength.  He who knows he has enough is rich.Perseverance is a sign of willpower.He who stays where he is endures.To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.” One of the most quoted chapters and mostly self explanatory. Looking inwards and discovering mindfulness is how we master the illusory self and discover who and what we really are. When we know that we are wise to others and our own demons. Having the willpower to not … Continue reading Mastering The Self Needs Strength

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The Tao Is Forever Undefined

Steve Rowe

The Tao Te Ching Explained Part Thirty Two  “The Tao is forever undefined.Small though it is in the unformed state, it cannot be grasped.If kings and lords could harness it,The ten thousand things would come togetherAnd gentle rain fall.Men would need no more instruction and all things would take their course.  Once the whole is divided, the parts need names.There are already enough names.One must know when to stop.Knowing when to stop averts trouble.Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea.” Because The Tao can only be found by stillness and silence it’s hard to … Continue reading The Tao Is Forever Undefined

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Victory Is No Cause For Rejoicing

Steve Rowe

Tao Te Ching Part Thirty One  “Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them.Therefore followers of Tao never use them.The wise man prefers the left.The man of war prefers the right.  Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man’s tools.” Any person seeking peace and harmony with the Tao will abhor weapons and war because their only purpose is disharmony, causing pain and death. “He uses them only when he has no choice.Peace and quiet are dear to his heart,And victory is no cause for rejoicing.If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;If … Continue reading Victory Is No Cause For Rejoicing

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Achieving Results With The Tao

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Thirty  “Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao,Counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe.For this would only cause resistance.Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army has passed.Lean years follow in the wake of a great war.” The universe is always in a state of chaos. War is bad but unfortunately inevitable, it always leaves humanity and our environment worse off. Therefore how we deal with it is important. “Just do what needs to be done.Never take advantage of power.  Achieve results,But never glory in them.Achieve results,But never … Continue reading Achieving Results With The Tao

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Retreat And Repulse Monkey

Steve Rowe

Is a Tai Chi technique of stepping back to remain powerful with structural integrity and ‘politely’ pushing the monkey god of mischief away. We don’t want to invite mischief into our life so we ensure to repulse him politely and gently. This is a strategy of life. We are always encouraged to be active and push forwards, to attack and conquer both others and ourselves. But it’s not always the best action. Sometimes it’s better to step back, it doesn’t mean that we have to be weaker, we can keep our structural integrity, take a wider perspective to see things … Continue reading Retreat And Repulse Monkey

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The Universe Is Sacred

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of Tao Tao Ching Part Twenty Nine  “Do you think you can take over the universe and improve it?I do not believe it can be done.  The universe is sacred.You cannot improve it.If you try to change it, you will ruin it.” Without a doubt the universe is a delicate balance. From the from stillness to movement, this movement creates an ever spiralling world of opposites always seeking balance. This is karma, the quality of nature, every action creates a reaction. It would take far more than any human mind to create better. “If you try to hold it, … Continue reading The Universe Is Sacred

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Know The Strength Of A Man But Keep A Woman’s Care

Steve Rowe

Explanation Of The Tao Te Ching Part Twenty Eight  “Know the strength of man,But keep a woman’s care!” Have a ‘soft front and a strong back’ “Be the stream of the universe!Being the stream of the univere,Ever true and unswerving,Become as a little child once more.” Return to what you were before you were born and the mind you had as a little child before society gave you an identity. “Know the white,But keep the black!” Understand and maintain the balance between yin and yang. “Be an example to the world!Being an example to the world,Ever true and unwavering,Return to … Continue reading Know The Strength Of A Man But Keep A Woman’s Care