PureInsight | March 8, 2004
[PureInsight.org] Powerful words from the orthodox Old Masters are as applicable today as they were for followers of The Way during Lao Tzu's Time. A wise practitioner, objective in his/her views, disinterested in what others say, living by the Dafa, will discover that serenity of mind is crucial to allow absorption and comprehension of the Dafa teachings. All the guidance needed to become one with the Dafa concepts are contained in the priceless text Zhuan Falun, by Master Li Hongzhi. Master Li reminds us that a true practitioner's virtue manifests itself in more than social convention and manners, but is part of The Way. Our present generations have his living words as guides. The ancients strived to follow Lao Tzu's wisdoms. Here are two of his poems, gems of traditional Chinese wisdom, written before he "went out the West Gate:"
Consciousness of the Future
"Prior to experiencing any situation, before matters arise, you should make your mind calm and clear.
Clarity and calm are the roots of The Way, but it can happen that you may for no reason get caught up in all sorts of before-the-fact considerations, assailed by a hundred thoughts.
Then when you go through situations, dealing with people and events, they [may] turn out differently than you thought, and so you try to make your thoughts fit them.
This depletes the vitality, wearies the spirit and exhausts the energy.
It is better not to become conscious of the future, letting it be as it may. Students who do not get rid of this consciousness therefore can hardly learn The Way.
The way to get rid of this consciousness is to forget objects, dismiss concerns and clear the mind, so that it is like a void." (Lao Tzu)
Learned Ignorance
In the absence of understanding, all sorts of different arguments, opinions and theories arise, resulting in different schools and groups that each holds on to one point and repudiates the others. Stubbornly holding on to their theories, they attack and goad each other. Each maintaining one view, they argue and assert their own doctrines. They all want to be protectors of The Way, but though they speak out, they go to extremes.
The mind that understands The Way is entirely impartial and truthful, but because Taoist tradition has gone on so long, degenerations of personality have cropped up. People attack one another and establish factions of supporters. They call themselves guardians of The Way, but they are really in it for their own sakes. When you look into their motivations, they are all outsiders. People like this are rot in Confucianism, bandits in Taoism, troublemakers in Buddha. They are confused and obsessed." (Lao Tzu)
Source: Spirit of the Tao, Shambala Publications, Boston, MA; 1993, T. Cleary, translator/editor
