Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu
a number of years ago, my chinese medicine practitioner sat me down and asked me the following question at the end of my acupuncture session (whilst my herbs were brewing).
"Peta, what is the meaning of your life"? to which I replied, "um...well...what....I don;t understand what you are trying to ask me"... so again he said... "I will ask you again, and you must think about this before our next meeting...what is the meaning of your life"?
This man, a doctor in the traditional ways of medicine, had asked me a questioned that to me had defined my illnesses in one. I did not have an answer. I did not know why I was existing. If I did not know why I was existing, then how could I be passionate, healthy, well, living with a purpose. Without a purpose, regardless of what it is, how can we truly live.
Part of my treatment, along with herbs and dietary changes, was to buy a book. How many western doctors answer your questions with an answer, allow you to expand your mind and spirit to truly find the reasons for your illnesses. The book I was to buy and read as part of my treatment was the "Tai Te Ching by Lao Tzu". A chinese philosopher from nearly 3000 years ago. No book has ever made me look so deeply into myself and ask myself the important questions.
This journey spaked my interest in traditional chinese medicine instantly. A medical system based on a philosophy, a yearning for the patients to discover the causes of their illnesses, to changes their ways and live a more fullfilling life, to nourish themselves and acheive that perfect state of balance and harmony. The ying and yang in everything, the ebb and flow, the birth and death and all the infinite possibilities in between. The duality of life where one element cannot exist without the other.
below in en excerpt from the tao to ching.
"When the whole world recognizes the beautiful as the beautiful, there arises the idea of ugly.
When the whole world recognizes the good as the good, there arises the idea of the bad.
For is and is not produce each other.
Difficult and easy complete each other.
Long and short contrast each other.
High and low distinguish each other.
Before and after define each other.
Therefore, the sage manages affairs without taking action, and teaches not by speech, but by accomplishment.
The ten thousand things rise from it, none are denied.
It gives them life, yet claims no possession.
It benefits them, yet exacts no gratitude.
It accomplishes its task, yet lays claim to no merit.
It is because it lays claim to no merit that its merit never deserts it.
"Peta, what is the meaning of your life"? to which I replied, "um...well...what....I don;t understand what you are trying to ask me"... so again he said... "I will ask you again, and you must think about this before our next meeting...what is the meaning of your life"?
This man, a doctor in the traditional ways of medicine, had asked me a questioned that to me had defined my illnesses in one. I did not have an answer. I did not know why I was existing. If I did not know why I was existing, then how could I be passionate, healthy, well, living with a purpose. Without a purpose, regardless of what it is, how can we truly live.
Part of my treatment, along with herbs and dietary changes, was to buy a book. How many western doctors answer your questions with an answer, allow you to expand your mind and spirit to truly find the reasons for your illnesses. The book I was to buy and read as part of my treatment was the "Tai Te Ching by Lao Tzu". A chinese philosopher from nearly 3000 years ago. No book has ever made me look so deeply into myself and ask myself the important questions.
This journey spaked my interest in traditional chinese medicine instantly. A medical system based on a philosophy, a yearning for the patients to discover the causes of their illnesses, to changes their ways and live a more fullfilling life, to nourish themselves and acheive that perfect state of balance and harmony. The ying and yang in everything, the ebb and flow, the birth and death and all the infinite possibilities in between. The duality of life where one element cannot exist without the other.
below in en excerpt from the tao to ching.
"When the whole world recognizes the beautiful as the beautiful, there arises the idea of ugly.
When the whole world recognizes the good as the good, there arises the idea of the bad.
For is and is not produce each other.
Difficult and easy complete each other.
Long and short contrast each other.
High and low distinguish each other.
Before and after define each other.
Therefore, the sage manages affairs without taking action, and teaches not by speech, but by accomplishment.
The ten thousand things rise from it, none are denied.
It gives them life, yet claims no possession.
It benefits them, yet exacts no gratitude.
It accomplishes its task, yet lays claim to no merit.
It is because it lays claim to no merit that its merit never deserts it.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anisa on -
=D, Thank yo for sharing and maning the book. I will definitely check it out ;)
Love, Anisa
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Permalink Reply by Glistening Deepwater on -
Wonderful!
The Tao Te Ching is one of the most profound sources of access to deepest understanding of the true nature of reality that we have available to us. The meanings of the phrases will continue to 'unpack' as you work your way into deeper and deeper levels of understanding. The mysteries alluded to in this deceptively simple book are basically indescribable, hence "The Tao which can be spoken is not the true Tao" yet the pointers they give us in the direction of coming to our own understanding of that which cannot be described are timeless.
Enjoy your journey of discovery sister and blessings to you and your Chinese Doctor ^@^
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