Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Heaven and Earth

The Great Way is formless; the universe is the Way with form. The universe itself does not speak; sages are a universe that can speak. I did not get to see the sages, but I have read their classic writings. By reading their classic writings, one can understand their principles; how is that different from seeing the sages?

The One creates our bodies and bestows our nature. Inside and outside both emanate from the One. We are within the Way, and the Way is in our hearts. If we observe the universe and emulate its wisdom, this is not different from the Great Way.

The path of humanity is always coordinated with heaven and earth in the alternation of movement and stillness. Human energy is always in communion with heaven and earth in the alteration of exhalation and inhalation.

Tuesday, August 23, 2005

A long time ago three elders were talking about impermanence. One elder said: "Of those who attend this year's celebration, who knows who will be missing next year?" Another elder said, "What you're talking about is far away. When we take off our shoes and socks tonight, we do not know whether or not we will put them on again tomorrow." The third elder said, "What you're talking about is still remote. When we exhale each breath, we do not know if we will breathe in again." The wise do not lose time, the brave do not think twice. If you get to know the Way today, you should set to work this very day. When you know the truth, that is the time to start. If you say do not have the time today and will wait for another day, When you think you are ready to walk the path, it will be difficult to find.

Human beings have many treasures. Three of the most valuable are Vitality, Energy, and Spirit. In old age, beware of exhausting vitality. When vitality is exhausted, you die. In old age, beware of wasting energy; if energy is drained, you die. In old age, beware of dissociation of the spirit; if the spirit is gone, you can no longer remain here. How can you avoid exhausting vitality? Is it necessary to stay away from stress? How can you avoid wasting energy? Is it necessary to speak little? How can you avoid dissociation of spirit? Is it necessary to be desireless? The spirit cannot be stabilized by force. When the mind and breathing rest on each other, then the spirit naturally stabilizes. Energy is not to be drained casually. Forget words and permit your actions to be your only truth and remain centered and energy is not drained. Vitality is not to be lost through wastefulness. Recirculate vitality to replenish the brain and vitality does not waste. Some ask, when people age and their physical energy has deteriorated, how can it be replenished? By being careful of your speech you can replenish your lungs. By moderating food and drink you can replenish your stomach. By stopping worry you can replenish your heart. By getting rid of anger you can replenish your soul.

Observe the plants and trees. Their foliage flourishes, then drops in late autumn, returning to the roots, as a natural pattern. Returning to the root, it does not die but regenerates come springtime. From this principle we can see that endless regeneration is the Way of nature, while returning to their roots is the inherent pattern of all living beings. Those who know the inherent pattern and do not violate the Way experience countless moments of clarity regardless of age. That is why in some of the ancient texts it is often written "real people breathe from their heels." The heels are synomonous with the root. During the three approaching months of winter, which is the season of return to the root, when you are ready, ... you should quietly nurture this.