We live in a turbulent world.  External events come and go, internal reactions rise and fall.  While we could have a fairly stable way to, or expectation on how to live our lives, often time the reality falls short of our expectations.  How did Confucius survived this changing world?

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8.4 Selecting place to abode, mode of living

危邦不入、亂邦 不居、天下有道則見、無道則隱。

Such an one will not enter a tottering State, nor dwell in a disorganized one. When right principles of government prevail in the kingdom, he will show himself; when they are prostrated, he will keep concealed.

5.4 Different actings in different times

子曰、甯武子、邦有道、則知、邦無道、則愚、其知可及也、其愚不可及也。

The Master said, ‘When good order prevailed in his country, Ning Wu [Ning Wu] acted the part of a wise man. When his country was in disorder, he acted the part of a stupid man. Others may equal his wisdom, but they cannot equal his stupidity.’

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For beginners, Confucius’s advise is to choose wisely of place to live and work.  If we choose an environment that is supportive to our life, we are supported, and therefore can grow and serve effectively.

With study and practice, our inner strength and wisdom grows.  We become increasing aligned to truth and power, and more able to function in increasingly complex and turbulent situations.  We share what we have to offer when conditions are right (which appears to be wise), and blend in with people without losing our inner alignment in other situations (which might appears stupid).

The former require inner wisdom and right conditions, while the latter require unconditional acceptance, wisdom, and compassion to all.  Confucius found the latter to be more difficult, as not only does it requires perfection of one’s inner world, it asks for the full acceptance of the world as it is, external and internal, beyond one’s self.

Therefore of the Chinese saying “大智若愚”: the wise appears fool.  Lower level of wisdom appears wise; higher level of wisdom appears fool.  Are you wise?  Are you fool?

13.2 Do things thoroughly, avoid the temptation of seeking quick and minute advantages

子夏為莒父宰、問政。子曰、無欲速、無見小利。欲速則不達、 見小利則大事不成。

Zixia, being governor of Chu-fu, asked about government. The Master said, ‘Do not be desirous to have things done quickly; do not look at small advantages. Desire to have things done quickly prevents their being done thoroughly. Looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.’

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When we grow flower, rushing it to grow by pulling it up will kill it; harvesting immaturely will prevent you from seeing the full blossom.    Impatient decisions are prone to mistakes, lost sight in short-term gain limits one’s long term development and outcome.  These errors can be readily seen not only in gardening and government, but also in personal relationships, workplace, business, and even in personal study and development.  Stay centered and unmoved from one’s rushingness and short-sightingness.  Aim big, stay put, and be patient, and we will see our flowers blossom.

Man follows earth, earth follows sky, sky follows Dao, Dao follows its own. (人法地, 地法天, 天法道, 道法自然) – DaoDeJing Chapter 25.  2500 years ago, through observing the natural rhythms of the universe, Lao Tsu (老子, 6th century BC) came to the realization of the natural law of the universe and named it Dao (道).  Join Li Siming (Derek), a visiting Taoist teacher and philosopher from the mountains of Wudang China, for a taste of this Dao through a series of Taoist practices and workshops.

May15-22 – Minneapolis, Minnesota

May23-26 – Grass Valley, California

May27-28 – Mount Shasta, California

May29-30 – Ashland, Oregon

Jun1-6 – San Francisco Bay Area, California

Workshop information and registration:

http://lisiming.com/home/study-with-derek/us-tour-may-june-2013/

19.1 Superior man avoids side tracks

子夏曰、雖小道、必有 可觀者焉、致遠恐泥、是以君子不為也。

Zixia said, ‘Even in inferior studies and employments there is something worth being looked at; but if it be attempted to carrythem out to what is remote, there is a danger of running into mud. Therefore, the superior man does not practise them.’

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What are side tracks?  In Confucius Analects, side tracks refer to pathways that does not lead people directly to personal cultivation or social harmony.  E.g. all technologies and skills such as farming, engineering, commerce, medical exploration, etc.  Pursuing these skills are not bad, but they don’t necessarily make you a better person, and help one grows in spirit.

For spiritual students, pursuing practices for the sake of mere curiosity and glamour can be dangerous, or in less severe case wasting time and energy.  As the Analects described, while many practices can yield some effect in the short run,  indulging one’s self in unknown practices can prevent or trap practitioners from making progress in the core spiritual path.

In the Taoist tradition, Master Li Daochun had drawn together a comprehensive list describing different levels of side tracks (The Book of Balance and Harmony, Chapter 2).  In the Buddhist tradition, the Buddha himself described the different levels of phenomena/tests one will face in advanced state of meditation (Shurangama Sutra, Chapter 9).  These are very valuable references to serious spiritual students whose goal is self-transcendence and spiritual enlightenment.

Side tracks are not to be afraid, they just need to be seen as what they are, then one can proceed safely through them.

As enlightened master described: Straight and narrow is the path, waste no time.

17.3 Importance in learning the 6 virtues (benevolence, wisdom, sincerity, straightforwardness, courage, firmness)

好仁不好學、其蔽也愚、好智不好學、其蔽也蕩、好信不好學、其蔽也賊、好直不好學、其蔽也絞、好勇不好學、其蔽也亂、好 剛不好學、其蔽也狂。

‘There is the love of being benevolent without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to a foolish simplicity. There is the love of knowing without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to dissipation of mind. There is the love of being sincere without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to an injurious disregard of consequences. There is the love of straightforwardness without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to rudeness. There is the love of boldness without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to insubordination. There is the love of firmness without the love of learning;– the beclouding here leads to extravagant conduct.’

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Be kind without learning, leads to stupidity;

Be intelligent without learning, leads to recklessness;

Be trusting without learning, attract thieves;

Be straightforward without learning, leads to rudeness;

Be courageous without learning, leads to chaos;

Be firm without learning, leads to wildness.

While proper cultivation of these 6 qualities uplifts one’s life and others, cultivation without balanced learning could harm oneself and others.  Learning therefore, should be pursued in balanced and all-rounded manner, and be seen as a lifelong endeavor to avoid falling into these traps.