Introduction to The I Ching and Taoism continued….
Thinking about the enmeshing of how Taoism and virtue espoused by Confucius was to work in popular culture over thousands of years, you can see how the complimentary opposites of the yin/yang of the I Ching contributed to making it all work. Later I will bring in what was to be called Chan Buddhism that served to fuse together Eastern philosophy that has served Asia for a very long time. But for now, seeking respect for complimentary viewpoints serves as a beginning to understanding what we will see over the next year.
Seeking Respect and Being Respected
Treat everyone with equal respect and be respected.
Understand and know underlying contradictions that help to promote clarity in all things. Act with compassion and look forward with a vision of oneness.
Do not contend. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. 1/30/94
Finding Clarity
Come forward in peace, harmony and compassion and we shall be one. When you leave, do so simply with an understanding of the way in which the task is to be done.
Know that if you can find clarity and a vision of oneness that the way is there for you to find. 1/30/94
At this point after about six or eight weeks of self-reflection, this all seems overwhelming. It is like what I would much later learn in the book “Inward Training” written by a contemporary of Lao Tzu. As though, I was being prepared for a long journey by mentors.
Getting my mind straight and considering how my reflection affected others seemed paramount. Understanding the true value of compassion and empathy for others seemed important to understanding what you now call inward training. I was clearly in transition from who I was to someone else. The process was transformational. When I wrote this, I thought it was special.
When conflict arises, compassion Prevails
There will be no conflict coming from me today. Ill feelings are but a shadow of the past to be discarded. To find peace one must leave behind anger and conflict. Fear and dislike of others leads back to weakness within oneself.
Discover your center and find yourself. Learn to face conflict without being judgmental.
Where there is conflict find peace. Where there is judgment learn not to commit to a false reality.
To find wisdom know the way. In learning detachment lead the way.
As with the Tao when conflict arises compassion always prevails. There will be no conflict coming from me today. 1/31/94
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