Tuesday, January 17, 2012

A Morning Song from Lao Tzu



When I woke up this morning, I was planning on writing about poetry and had a poem in mind that I had been going back to this past week just because I liked it and what it had to say about life, but then I realized I needed to listen to the nudge I was getting to go to the book shelf and bring down this slim volume entitled, Hua Hu Ching: The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu. It calls out to me occasionally, and, when it does, I know I need to respond. It never fails to provide just the right idea for propelling me forward into the day, allaying any fears or sadness I might be feeling, allowing me to really feel the Oneness that connects me to all things.

I like what Brian Walker, one of several wonderful interpreters of these timeless ideas and the author of this book, has to say about Lao Tzu:  "I have come to think of Lao Tzu less as a man who once lived and more as a song that plays, eternal and abiding."  This was my morning song that led me to "still waters."

The Universe is a vast net of energy rays.
The primary ray is that which emanates from the
   Subtle Origin, and it is entirely positive, creative,
   and constructive.
Each being, however, converts the energy of this
   primary ray into its own ray, and these lower rays
   can be either positive or negative, constructive or 
   destructive.

An individual who is not yet fully evolved can be
   adversely affected by negative energy rays in the net
   around him.
For example, the combined influence of several
   negative rays might cause an undeveloped person to
   believe that his life is being controlled by an
   invisible, oppressive ruler.
Such a misconception can be a significant barrier to
   enlightenment. 

To attain full evolution and the status of an integral
   being, you must be aware of this intricate net and
   its influences upon you.
By integrating the positive, harmonious energy rays
   with the positive elements of your own being, and
   eliminating the subtle negative influences, you can
   enhance all aspects of your life.

In order to eliminate the negative influences, simply
   ignore them.
To integrate the positive influences, consciously
   reconnect yourself with the primary energy ray of 
   the Subtle Origin by adopting the practices of the 
   Integral Way.
Then all the rays in the net around you will merge
   back into harmonious oneness.








Chinese artwork by Wang Qiang and Chen Jun

29 comments:

  1. The cosmos and life its self is made up of, and filled with + and -.
    This is where the ying and yang comes into play.
    Everything must stay in balance.
    Unfortunately we allow our - to overwhelm our + side.

    Just as there is a polar shift.
    We have a shift of Self that steers us through life.

    The path is there. We just have to follow it.
    Listen to silence. It will lead you.

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  2. Thank you, RZ, for your friendship and this kindness.

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  3. "The combined influence of several
    negative rays might cause an undeveloped person to believe that his life is being controlled by an invisible, oppressive ruler." Yea, verily, for this is why so many join in the Crazy Parade of Conspiracy Theories.

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  4. F
    I wear my industrial strength tin foil hat with pride when I march in the "Crazy Parade of Conspiracy Theories." :-)

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  5. Fearguth, And an endless parade it seems to be. It has gotten difficult to discern at times what to listen to and what to ignore. That phrase jumped out at me, as well. This "song" was the perfect antidote for me today. I opened the book at random, as I do, and there it was. Perfect. Life is good. As the song says, "Silence is golden, but my eyes still see."

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  6. Follow the way
    Before and behind you
    The way.

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  7. Thanks, RZ for that tip on the tin foil hat. :)

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  8. I think you were also looking for something that would speak to me, as well. I read it and will print it out so I can study it further. It's perfect. And timely for me. Thank you, Teresa.

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  9. Paul, Thank you.



    DJan, I'm so grateful when what moves me, reaches beyond me to others. It's comforting and makes me glad to know that I'm looking at this with you.

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  10. Ahhh! A man after my own heart! I should read him, too, apparently. I finally was beginning to see and feel this about 20 years ago. Shifts the ground under your feet and lifts your soul. My goal in life is to be aware of standing in that space always.

    Love the paintings, too. :) Good morning, sweet lady!

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  11. Hello Teresa:
    These words are hauntingly beautiful and really do lift the spirits.

    We are great believers in the thought that it is not what challenges or opportunities that life presents you with that makes the difference between individuals, it is the way in which one responds to them that really counts.

    Truly knowing oneself is so important since one can then draw from the strength within in order to face the future.

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  12. Rita, Yes, to stand in that space always. It's good to have reminders and fellow travelers such as yourself to stand with us.



    Jane and Lance, I love how the ideas of Lao Tzu, as well as many others, strengthen and sustain us, filling our reservoirs as we go. Thank you.

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  13. Did you post this just for me?

    Thank you. Such powerful words and thoughts.

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  14. I'm constantly fighting off the negative and trying to stay in the positive.

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  15. Dear Teresa,
    Like all those who have commented I want to thank you for posting this song today. Abiding and eternal. I see that I must begin to read Lao Tzu. I'll look for the book you mentioned in the library.

    Also, Teresa, what is the name of the poetry anthology that is on your bedside table? You mentioned it last week. Is it contemporary poetry or poetry through the ages?

    Finally, will you consider blogging your interpretation of the term "Integral Way"? I surely would like to learn what this term means to others.

    Peace.

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  16. This could not reflect my beliefs more accurately. Without having ever read this before its amazingly like what I pictured. Beautiful words, and I loved the art.

    Thanks. This was great for me to see.

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  17. Bossy Betty, But, of course! It's that Oneness thing acting up again. :)



    Linda, It's an ongoing practice, to find that balance and stay positive. We have many opportunities for practice!



    Dee, If you can't find this particular book, look for the "Tao te Ching" by Stephen Mitchell. He is considered the premier translator/interpreter of Lao Tzu.

    anthologies: I have several I go to, as well as books by individual poets. I will email you with some of what I have and use regularly. I draw from a deep well, and there are some good sites online, as well.

    re: The Integral Way. I would not assume to know enough to "explain" it, but if you check it out online, you will find a foundation to start from. There are nuances of meaning according to individual perspectives, but it has to do with integrating, of course, all aspects of life on one's spiritual path. Taoism is one of the paths I continue to investigate and integrate into my life, one of my tools in my spiritual toolbox. I don't like exclusivity. Like you, my desire is to better understand and Practice Oneness. For me, it's all about Oneness.

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  18. To venture weightless and of little substance enough to join a rainbow, to become, this, and as to become a Human...person. We are heavy in frame, and light weight in our dreams. Travel is always in nature as clouds constant and all else goes this. We are of no different fabric, as makes a sail, that strains at the yoke, to the light and journey's end to face our beginnings once again...

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  19. Wild bill, Quite wonderful, isn't it? I find myself very drawn i the last few months, to Chinese and Japanese art. They're delicate, yet strong. Nicely balanced, like the ideas elucidated in the poem. I'm so glad you liked it.




    Mammoth, So nice to see you here, and, as always, thank you for your thoughts, expressed so poetically. "To face our beginnings once again." Yes. I'm glad to be sharing this journey with you.

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  20. When reality speaks, it chooses no place, no time, and no culture. The voice divine vibes through every positive minds which teach us that life is but an integration of values, enriching values. Nice post.

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  21. cyclopseven, Absolutely! I agree wholeheartedly! Thanks so much!

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  22. Lao Tzu was a charlantan. I wrote those pieces but was too busy creating beauty to worry about the tawdry promotional side of my work but not old Lao. Oh no, not Lao, he wrote down my every word and sold pamphlets out of the back of a gypsy wagon all over China. The man wouldn't have recognized enlightenment if it had sneaked up and bit him on his...yin yang. Oh well, at least I'm still alive and having chili and cornbread for supper.

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  23. Cletis, Is your tongue firmly in your cheek? I sure hope so....

    How's that cornbread?

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  24. So far into my cheek Gene Simmons would be jealous. Cornbread was really good. Not allowed to eat it, ergo, REALLY good:)

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  25. Well, if you were going to be a bad boy, I hope you ate it with maple syrup on top. Joy in the taboo.

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  26. Strange How It Sometimes Feels That the Negative is somehow Real,Yet the Positive is not.

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  27. I thought about that very thing recently, Tony. It's an interesting thing to look at. I hope I get better at seeing the positive on a more consistent basis.

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  28. Lao Tzu is always near at hand. Can't go wrong returning to him periodically.. Great post as always, Teresa :)

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