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Tao #2 /
Polarity
Ф
Beauty is known throughout the world
defined through contrast like Chiaro Scuro
shadows are defined by light
black is known through white
actions are determined as good
by comparison with acts of evil
stability is well understood
when confronted with upheaval
Composing a symphony of life
we use polarity
the enslaved distinguish the free
loud tones differ from soft tones
long notes delineate short notes
congruent voices lift in harmony
antithesis to clashing dissonance
moments within time
are long or short
vacations defined
by days of work
Front implies back
first implies last
we adjudicate the above from the below
high is determined by the low
this is easy and that was hard
this is here and that is far
perfect complexion
versus pitted and scarred
metric or standard
before or after
pain and sadness
pleasure and laughter
all these things observed and thus defined
necessary polarities or constructs of the mind?
Therefore the Wise find ways
to relate without words
unattached to outcomes
the Sage does not assert
titles or authority
but steadily maintains
an attitude of gratitude
thus freed one lays no claim
to merit or credit
seeing no need to possess it
like the Tao simply letting it be
the result being eternity
Just as real love being unconditional
and unconditioned lasts forever
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Interpretation
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Writers referenced: McDonald, Lau, Feng - English, McCarroll
Every day we awaken into the world. Our minds move from the dreamstate into awareness of the conditions of our lives outside of our dreams. We know that we have left our warm bed behind by the coolness of the floor. Each culture has different standards of beauty. In some cultures being heavy is a sign of wealth and health and in others being thin is part of the definition. But these things are all subjective. When we look at a painting, ithe contrasts reveal the picture. We listen to a symphony and the difference between the frequency of notes higher versus lower we hear a melody. If all notes were the same there would be no music, only a rhythm. Yet to truly embody wisdom we must go beyond judgment and dwell in compassion which means acceptance. The best teacher teaches by example and does not need to dominate in order to relate. Great wisdom is born from the inward journey spiraling outward and creating more wisdom simply through its existence. When we are filled with gratitude and joy within each moment, we are able to share that joy and demonstrate through compassion. We take action but do not dwell upon either the action or the outcome. Thoughtfulness about what we are doing or saying is essential and imporant to all things is to ask oneself "if someone said this to me, what would I feel?" and "if someone was doing this and I was on the other side what would I feel?" |
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