The image above from the Hubble Telescope.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that, as the I Ching explains about yin and yang, nothing in the universe stays the 
same. Our ever-expanding cosmos of stars and galaxies is constantly creating new entities from cosmic dust to enhance and replace the old. To what Carl Sagan refers to when saying that “we are all star stuff”. Who are we to doubt him? Nature abhors a vacuum, and this constant renewal is meant to shape us too.
I like to believe our eternal spirit is simply along for the ride, guiding us to places where it fits best. Building upon what already exists to where lessons are meant to be learned with some of us born into riches that others are destined never to see that weren’t really important in the long run. When something hits an extreme, it naturally shifts back to balance. Isn’t the real goal to renew ourselves and get ready for what’s next?
Maybe this is the true essence of the spirit in all things, as the ancient Chinese believed—that we’re just one of the ten thousand things in nature. Making the best of something we may never know, but to never stop seeking it just the same. We may be unaware of what comes next, but that doesn’t stop us from seeking it. Why looking to the horizon becomes like a calling card of spirit.
The Book of Lieh Tzu, appearing here as My travels with Lieh Tzu illustrates through this chapter various roles we play in expressing how we are influenced by those we follow. 
The entry below details how a man who was a follower of Confucius had died and left his nephew with great wealth. Wealth that his nephew felt he had not earned himself but had been left to him. He knew full well about the teachings of Confucius and what they had meant to his great uncle and how we are to live by these teachings. He wanted to share and give the riches away to others after living a life he knew would follow as his great uncle’s legacy.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Seven – Yang Chu
111. Taking on airs (heirs)
Becoming Tuan Mu Shu of Wen living on the inheritance of my great uncle, who was a disciple of Confucius. Living life to its fullest on the good works of those who came before me. Living in complete luxury on an estate worth more than ten thousand pieces of gold. Caring not about the issues of the day, only living by impulse, and doing as I please. Living fully where my inclinations lead me. Doing what all desire to do, following my impulse and doing as I please.
Keeping my estate with its great walls and rooms, terraces and pavilions, parks and gardens, lakes and ponds, my food and drink, carriages and dress, singers and musicians, wife, and concubines the same as the rulers of Chi and Chu. Nothing whatever my passions decide staying out of my reach. With whatever my passions decide to enjoy, whatever my ears wish to hear, my ears to see or my mouth to taste only a moment away. Or if not close by, sent for regardless of its distance.
Traveling great distances wherever I please. However perilous the mountains and rivers, regardless of however long or distant the roads to get there. My adventures are the same as others who question stepping out of their houses a few paces. Every day my guests numbered in the hundreds, with the fires in the great kitchens never burning out and, in my halls, and chambers music that never stops playing. With leftovers from the great banquets scattered everywhere, throughout my large family and clan, the next town and all the villages throughout the district.
Keeping nothing back, living every day to its fullest with joy and sadness always present. Yet always thankful of what my predecessors have left me. Finally reaching the end, knowing in old age that my days are numbered with my health and vitality on the wane. I decided to give it all away. As I have always questioned my place in history, knowing that I could never live up to the great ideas of my uncle and his mentor, the great Confucius. Only making it up to them in the only way I know how. 
In the end giving away all the precious things I have gathered through the years. My treasury and storehouses, all my carriages and robes, even my concubines. Giving everything away in a span of less than a year. Leaving nothing to my children and grandchildren except the good times they came to know as they stood by my side.
Finally falling ill and near death with hardly a needle or medicine in store for his care, Tuan Mu Shu died lacking the money for his own burial. Upon hearing this, the people throughout the whole country who had long enjoyed the great feasts and good times spent at his expense took up a collection among themselves for his burial and helped to restore his property to his children and grandchildren. Much discussion ensued by many of those with similar wealth who concluded that Tuan Mu Shu was a madman who had disgraced his ancestor Tzu‑Kung, the noted disciple of Confucius with his antics.
Others knew that Tuan Mu Shu truly knew how to live. Even surpassing the qualities of those who had brought the great wealth to his family that he had spent a lifetime spending. Everything he did astonished and flaunted the accepted mode of the day. But he knew precisely how to live and die and did so effortlessly. Those who complained could only compare Tuan Mu Shu with the manners they were brought up with. How could they judge the right or wrong way to live and to die?
As we are reminded of the initial refrain:
“Becoming as Tuan Mu Shu of Wen living on the inheritance of my great uncle who was a disciple of Confucius. Living life to its fullest on the good works of those who came before me. Living in complete luxury on an estate worth more than ten thousand pieces of gold. Caring not about the issues of the day, only living by impulse and doing as I please”.
As you have now come full circle with Yang Chu leading the way, how could you have done differently and what better lesson could he have taught? 7/7/95
Number one hundred eleven of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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