CHUANG TZU A drunkard man who falls out of a cart, though he may suffer, does not die. His bones are the same as other people’s, but he meets his accident in a different way. His spirit is in a condition of security. He is not conscious of riding in the cart; neither is he […]
CHUANG TZU. Those who would have right without its correlative, wrong, or good government without its correlative, misrule, — they do not apprehend the great principles of the universe nor the conditions to which all creation is subject. One might as well talk of the existence of heaven without that of earth, or of the
He who strikes with a sharp point will nothimself be safe for long. If a man is clear-headed and intelligent, canhe be without knowledge? He who has no faith in others shall find nofaith in them. To see oneself is to be clear of sight. Mightyis he who conquers himself.
If a house is crammed with treasures of goldand jade, it will be impossible to guard them all. He who prides himself upon wealth and honorhastens his own downfall.
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Who is there that can make muddy water clear? But if allowed to remain still, it will become clear of itself. Who is there that can secure a state of absolute repose? But let time go on, and the state of repose will gradually arise.
There was once a young man, he related, who sought out a Sage, and asked him: I wish to be wise – how can I achieve my wish?’The Sage heaved a great sigh and answered:‘There was once a young man, just like you.‘He wished to be wise, and this wish had great strength.‘Suddenly he found
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‘He was a doctor, and the king of a certain country called him to treat his ailment. The sage refused. Then the King ordered soldiers to seize the doctor, and to bring him to his presence. ‘When they were face to face, the King said, “I have brought you here, bound hand and foot, to
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I am being asked to illustrate that the learning process is distinct from its emotionally stimulative content.There is a story of a teacher who spent much of his salary on alcoholic drink.When this became known, students deserted him, saying ‘We can hardly understand what he says.’A friend, another scholar, suggested that, as he now had
Once, two students of the Sufi Way found themselves in a heated argument about the nature of human understanding. The first student claimed, “Man arrives at Truth through personal effort and diligent research. He begins in ignorance and gradually acquires knowledge.” The second student disagreed, “No, man reaches Truth only under the guidance of expert
A Lesson in Understanding: The Two Sufi Students and the Truth Read More »
There is a story of old, once told by a people who hearkened to wisdom. As the members of that community do not now listen to meanings, it really matters little whether they are told the story or not, or have preserved it or not.But to proceed: the story concerns four men, who lived in
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