Sunday, November 18, 2012

When your mind is troubled, it is still not enough



Words of Lao-zi  - Chapter 43

My interpretation:
A man who obtains a flexible mind can live in a society and still be himself. He is not influenced or trapped by the organizations. He will move like the water and adapt to any shape to any environment. I would say that the most efficient way to live a life is “to be in the natural flow.” It is difficult to explain this in words. The benefit of being in the natural flow is rarely seen in this world.

Original words:「天下之至柔、馳騁天下之至堅. 無有入無間. 吾是以知無爲之有益. 不言之教、無爲之益、天下希及之.



(my thoughts)
   I want to change my job, I want to move to another place, I want a divorce…. For thousands of years, people have troubled their minds. At times, when you are having a problem, Lao-zi is saying, “keep a flexible mind. Think objectively. Be in the natural flow.” He says that this is the best way and the most efficient way. In other words, when you are troubled by your problem, it means that you are still not there to make a new move. It means that there is still something you could do about it. Your innate god is telling you that you shouldn’t come to a conclusion just yet. When you think about it objectively, it is rather funny to be in a state of “distress.” It means that your imagination on what may happen after you changed your job or your place..divorce is not yet enough.

   When it’s really time to move, to make the change, you will NOT be in distress anymore. It is because your core being is convinced. Whether it is not the right decision or not, it would all feel right in that moment.

   The issue lies here. Whether you will make the right decision or not would dramatically change the course of your life. And those decisions are made upon your thought habits. It depends on how you have been living your life until that point. If you hadn’t work hard enough or you have been unfaithful to yourself, you will not be able to make the right decision. You won’t know what you’re really meant to do. And you will float like a falling leaf. If you live by making enough efforts and being honest with yourself at all times, your innate god and your ancestors are able to guide you easily towards the right direction. The more ego you have the less you are able to listen to your sacred and true being. In addition, even though your ancestors are trying to help you and guide you, you cannot accept it. Your ego will be disturbing the connection.

   To conclude, Lao-zi is suggesting that the best way to live and to bring luck is to 1) Make enough efforts by yourself, be honest to yourself and keep a flexible mind. 2) Feel the natural flow in your life.

   Don’ t let other people guide you. Listen to your own innate being. I believe this is the most important thing in life. That is because I sense that life is about convincing yourself. Keep honesty and keep making efforts. And at the end of your life, you will be convinced that you made the right path.

Ikashite-itadaite arigato-gozaimasu
Thank you for letting us live


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