This is the final entry for The Yellow Emperor chapter in my book “My Travel with Lieh Tzu”. It is entry number thirty-four of one hundred fifty-eight, so we still have a long way to go before we finish. The book is mainly about our efforts towards self-cultivation and gaining a foothold on better understanding Chinese history and philosophy. When I wrote this towards the end of January 1995, I had been writing almost daily and was still living in Massachusetts and would not be moving to Florida until May. This effort had captured both my imagination and had directed my focus to China where I had always had an affinity but had been only in the back of my mind. It felt like both a transition, leading me to unexplored places, and a transformation, shaping me into someone entirely different from who I thought I was. Change was in the air, and I felt compelled to let go and let it guide me. Two words, “endeavor” and “destiny”, that I had rarely used or considered before, now seemed to hold a profound new significance.
What do these two words mean, “endeavor” and “destiny”, and why should they matter? They appeared like a springboard, leaving no choice but to leap. But where to, and for what purpose? Setting out on a long journey, the next step remains hidden in the words and sentences yet to be created. The only things carried now are what has been written before and memories waiting to resurface. Who are these mentors from the past, meant to remind of a place in history—the role of the sage in Taoism, Confucius, and much later, the Buddhist bodhisattva vow?
Another new word: synchronicity. Viewing ourselves as spiritual beings having a human experience helps us appreciate the importance of living in harmony with our highest selves. In Carl Jung’s psychology, it refers to the simultaneous occurrence of unrelated events that are believed to have a deeper meaning beyond mere coincidence. The blending of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism in China has deeply shaped Chinese and Asian popular culture for thousands of years, showcasing how the best aspects of different traditions can come together harmoniously. For myself, first understanding the role of Taoism and its key figures Lao, Chuang, and Lieh Tzu becomes an essential first step.
It is how we view ourselves and the role we are here to play, if at all, gives a defining benchmark to self-cultivation as our next step…
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Two – The Yellow Emperor
34. A true measure of Oneself
Those knowing only courage and strength are destined to be defeated when meekness and softness are the optimum that will come to your defense. How is this so? If there is a way to protect you when someone strikes or stabs at you thereby missing, would you want to know?
Coming to know dragons Qingcheng Taoist Mountain Chengdu
Knowing the above and the resulting humiliation, wouldn’t you want to know a way to keep someone from daring to strike or stab you? What if someone who does not dare to harm you still has the will to harm you? Is there a way to ensure that no one has any desire or will to harm? Or that another person has not thought of loving or benefiting you? Suppose there was a way to make every living being joyfully desire to love and benefit you?
Isn’t this better than courage and strength? What is courage and strength, but that which is found within us without others watching? Is not true courage but the courage of our convictions and is not strength simply our inner desire to see everything through to its rightful end. How can they succeed without their opposites being present?
Is not meekness the ability to step back from external situations separating yourself from outcomes not true to the Tao? Is not softness knowing that everything has the same results and is unimportant in the end? Finding comfort solely within the details along the Way.
Come to know only acts of loving kindness. Ridding yourself of ill feelings and ego, both but a weight keeping you from becoming the person you are to come. Take pleasure and enjoy the hardships found on your journey. For they are your test. Know all four: courage, strength, meekness, and softness. Be complete and know that nothing can ever harm you. 1/29/95
Number thirty-four of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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