Abiding - Taoism

[SeekWa]

From the Tao Te Ching...

The sage abides in the condition of wu-wei (unattached action).
And carries out the wordless teaching.
Here, the myriad things are made, yet not separated.

Therefore the sage produces without possessing,
Acts without expectations
And accomplishes without abiding in her accomplishments.

It is precisely because she does not abide in them
That they never leave her.

Some people follow the Path of Irreverence; others are members of the Church of Lashing Out. Then we have the Unholy Orders, including the Perpetual State of Pissed. Members of various paths may not always see things the same way as someone else. We know this.

Some people enjoy studying with teachers, while other people ARE teachers. And then there are those who feel like they don't really need to be taught anything - or that the answers all lie within. So, there is this whole issue of the sage, the teacher. It can be controversial, at times.

In my opinion, the sage abides, and that it is within abiding that we find the sage.

The anonymous sage is the one we can't find. This isn't necessarily referring to some old naked guy living in cave in Tibet. It seems to me that it is the dark, remote cave within ourselves, the wordless world that we can easily forget exists.

Thoughts?

[RighteousDude]

There seems to be an echo in here. 

I looked in on all of that fine Eastern shit once upon another lifetime ago, and it just didn't do it for me. I can dig meditation, green tea, sandals, and a really good koan, but I've no desire to follow anyone, let alone some funny Chinaman who has no fucking clue about what it's like behind my eyes.

[SeekWa]

Yeah, Righteous - it's repetitive - more of wanting to get a discussion of abiding and Taoism in a better location on the site.

Eastern studies were designed for their culture and times, and they often do not do a good job of adapting to the current culture, time and place - much less each individual and their own individual needs and goals. Of course, eastern 'ways' and religions aren't the only ones that have that problem. Many movement quickly become too caught up in the 'our way or the highway' mentality. Even those which are more inclusive often exclude people because of their rituals and insistance on using outdated terms and expressions.

In my opinion, it's better to focus on universal principals that can apply to anyone, regardless of their individual makeup and circumstances.

[RighteousDude]

Eastern studies were designed for their culture and times, and they often do not do a good job of adapting to the current culture, time and place - much less each individual and their own individual needs and goals.

That was my glitch with the whole thing. It's hard to translate that stuff to life in 21st century North America, and going a bit further, to these eyes of mine that have seen too much.

[Caesar dude]

but I've no desire to follow anyone, let alone some funny Chinaman who has no fucking clue about what it's like behind my eyes.

Exactly.

Just had an interesting letter from some health care pepes. in regard to some issues I was having about my partners care. The content is not important but the letterhead is!

"remember everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle than you"

The actual quote which is from Plato is "remember, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle"

What they are denying me is that my hardship is lesser than their hardship...I have no doubt that they are enduring shit...I  am too...but they reckon mine is not as hard as their's! And they have no fucking clue...no fucking idea at all!

This upset the dude in me cos they have changed a truth into a lie.

I have no idea or clue about what hardships my fellow dudes are going through when I meet them face to face in the street...if they know dudeism or not. I have no idea and no clue what each of you dudes I interact with on these here forums is experiencing because :

I have NO fucking clue about what it's like behind your eyes.

Peace.

[SeekWa]

I have NO fucking clue about what it's like behind your eyes.

I have never heard this expression before - but have now heard it twice in two days.

It reminds me of when I first realized I wanted nothing to do with the God I was being taught about: all powered up on judgement, retribution, guilt, hell and torture. I recall saying, "Give me a God who has walked the walk, gotten down into the shit of shit, and can relate to everyday life and problems. I don't want some guy sitting up on his high and mighty throne, being "Mr. I'm-better-than-everyone else-ness." Not for me.

Point being, in my humble opinion, it's the people who have been down the lowest in the shit of shit that have them most valid things to say. Although often, they are too self-conscious to think that they matter to anyone at all.

[Caesar dude]

they are too self-conscious to think that they matter to anyone at all.

Not necessarily self conscious. But maybe self centred. Or even maybe the opposite. So much more aware because of their own distress that they see the pain in everyone they meet.

Just saying.

Peace.

[RighteousDude]

"remember everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle than you"

Now that is fucked up passive-aggressive shit. I don't have words to describe how outrageous I find that statement, and especially in that context.

[Boston Rockbury]

it is the dark, remote cave within ourselves,

It sounds like you are searching for 'Garth Marenghi's Dark Place'
http://www.garthmarenghi.com/

[Boston Rockbury]

Garth has some profound messages for humanity that interpret Daoism in a modern context

[Boston Rockbury]

Ancient wisdom from the dark place

[Boston Rockbury]

Can you handle what you see whan you look into Garth's DarkPlace?

[SeekWa]

Can you handle what you see whan you look into Garth's DarkPlace?

ah... no. "You can't HANDLE the truth!" - Col. Nathan R. Jessup. Sir.

[Boston Rockbury]

Can you handle what you see whan you look into Garth's DarkPlace?

ah... no. "You can't HANDLE the truth!" - Col. Nathan R. Jessup. Sir.

I may have gone a little over the top with the Garth Marenghi references. In relation to your original post I like my spirituality two parts irreverence to one part psychobabble. It's an unusual mix but it works for me so long as I remember the dash of yoga, a slice of lime and a little paper parasol.

[SeekWa]

Can you handle what you see whan you look into Garth's DarkPlace?

ah... no. "You can't HANDLE the truth!" - Col. Nathan R. Jessup. Sir.

I may have gone a little over the top with the Garth Marenghi references. In relation to your original post I like my spirituality two parts irreverence to one part psychobabble. It's an unusual mix but it works for me so long as I remember the dash of yoga, a slice of lime and a little paper parasol.

2:1??? That's all? Sometimes, I'm like 10:1, lol! The older I get, the greater the ratio. Sometimes I feel like I was born on the Far Side of Douglas Adams, with a mix of the zanier parts of Dr. Who.