Uncle Mike’s “Dangling Dichotomies”

 

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 15

Uncle Mike’s “Dangling Dichotomies”

“Hovering in the Present Time, Present Place,
Caught between the Real and the Imagined,
Cut off from the Past and Future,
Dangling in the Present!
 
Splitting up the Firewood of Dichotomies:
 
Objective/subjective, Tool/word, Scientific/literary,
God/man, Noumena/phenomena, Real/imagined,
Non-Fiction/fiction, Something/nothing, Many/one,
Things/ideas, Substance/attributes, Truth/falsity,
Multiplicity/singularity, Right/wrong, Clear/muddy,
Balanced/unstable, Woman/Man, Day/night,
Factual/fanciful, Interesting/dull, Creative/repetitive,
Temporary/permanent, Yin/Yang, Beauty/ugliness,
Opposites/sameness, Flourishing/failing, 
Practical/theoretical, Actual/possible, Logical/confusing. 

Plenty of kindling for the fireplace.

These ideas fired up my thinking for many decades.
Dualistic thinking is great kindling for temporary flickers of insight.
Dualistic thinking is fun and pleasurable, naysayers ignored.
Dualistic thinking helps solve some real life problems.
Occasionally, Not Thinking is also quite a useful activity.
Sleeping gives me plenty of my zazen Not Thinking time."
– Memories of Uncle Mike

A Student’s Considerations:

I need to cut up and split up some firewood in my yard today.
Firewood, Fireplace, Fire, Ashes: Time/Uji Dogen.
We enjoy connecting and disconnecting two things: literally and metaphorically.
Two or Three are as delightful as One.
Sleeping = Zazen Dropping Off Body and Mind, Calm, Settled
 

Related Links, Resources, References

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Brief Spiritual Lessons Database Project: Subject Indexes

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Lessons and Stories
Matches to Start a Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Gardening Chores - April

From 1998 until 2017 I enjoyed gardening on our five acre home in Red Bluff, North Sacramento Valley, California.  The photos above were taken in April of 2017, the month we moved to Vancouver, Washington.  

The Spirit of Gardening Website

"Crouchers move through a garden at a stoop: naming, gasping, horraying, admiring or coveting plants; Gapers saunter, smiling or sighing at what they find, succumbing to an intangible beatitude that takes them for a brief escape into another dimension.  Both sorts of gardener are besotted; both get their hands dirty; think and talk gardening; but on the threshold of another's garden, each use a different set of whiskers."-  Mirabel Osler, Gapers and Crouchers

Bill Asked "Did Freya's Puppy Have Buddha Nature?"

 The Fireplace Records, Chapter 14

Bill and Frank were talking about their family dogs.  

Bill said, "My big old farm dog, Rowdy, a male Rottweiler, was quite ill.  He could not walk anymore, and was in obvious pain.  He weighed over 110 pounds.  Heartworm disease and worn out joints led to his demise. I have buried four of our family dogs."

Frank said, "My own dog is quite ill right now.  As you know, Bill, my dog, Freya, she is a big old house dog, a Mastiff, 120 pounds. I feel so sorry for her. She has been such a good companion for April and I. Hard to care for Freya. She can't get up, she can't eat. She is having trouble breathing."

Bill said, "I hope Freya can recover somehow.  She is such a charming old big dog.  Love her Brendel colored coat.  She is a friendly drooling monster. Her bark is louder than the Yunmen's shout."

Bill asked, "I wonder if Joshu might have asked "Did Freya's puppy have Buddha Nature?"

Frank responded, "I surely missed her Buddha Nature after she was gone."

A Student's Considerations:

Will you miss them when their gone?
From one generation to the next---then gone.
A dog's barking, begging, whining, sniffing, walking, birthing, dying.
If Buddha is a dried shit stick, then dogs are ready to play.  
Dogmatists are less useful than dogs.
Can't stand or walk or eat---your finished.  
Observe carefully when you really miss something or someone.
Love and caring linger in out grief.

Freya's Puppy 2016

Old Tired Freya in 2023
Freya died on April 3, 2023

Related Links, Resources, References

BOS 18  Book of Serenity, Case 18 Zhaozhou's Dog

GB 01  Gateless Barrior, Case 1, Joshu's Dog
BOS 69  Nanquan's "Cows", Case 69

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Koan Database Project: Subject Indexes to Koan Collections

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters
Matches to Start the Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Taoist, Chan Buddhist, Zen Buddhist, Philosophers
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Koans, Meditations
Indexing, Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

Wisdom Within Our Flesh

"The human body is not an instrument to be used, but a realm of one's being to be experienced, explored, enriched and, thereby, educated."
-  Thomas Hanna

"There is deep wisdom within our very flesh,  if we can only come to our senses and feel it."
 -  Elizabeth A. Behnke

"He who feels it, knows it more."-  Bob Marley  

 "The hand is the cutting edge of the mind."
-  Jacob Bronowski


'The Heavenly Level is the function of feeling."
-  Cheng Man-ch'ing

"No matter how closely we look, it is difficult to find a mental act that can take place without the support of some physical function."
-  Moshe Feldenkrais  

"I would have touched it like a child
But knew my finger could but have touched
Cold stone and water.   I grew wild,
Even accusing heaven because
It had set down among its laws:
Nothing that we love over-much
Is ponderable to our touch."-  W. B. Yeats  

Touching, Feeling, Sensation: Quotations

The Five Senses

Bodymind Theory and Practices, Somaesthetics

Self-Massage 

Body-Mind-Spirit Movement Arts

Lunge Exercises, Yoga Lunges, Taijiquan Lunges

How Could He Make Up His Mind

The Fireplace Records, Chapter 13

The student asked, "One question that keeps cropping up in the Zen Buddhist koan literature is "What is the Buddha?"

I've read that Baso said, "This very mind is the Buddha." (GG 30, Sekida)
Nansen said, "Ordinary mind is the Way." (GG 19)
Baso said, "No mind, no Buddha." (GG 33)
Nansen said, "It is not mind; it is not Buddha; it is not things." (GG 27)
I've read that Nansen said: "Ordinary Mind is Buddha."
Pan Shan said, "There is nothing in the Triple World,
where can mind be found." (BCR 37)
Yun Men said, "Food in the bowl, water in the bucket." (BCR 50)."

"I am impressed by the catchy phrases, uplifted in spirit, but I am still a bit confused."

The teacher replied, "Don't agree with or believe in some of what you read. Don't concern yourself to much with what so and so said so in so. Some confusion can be productive around complex issues and concepts.  Don't make up your mind right away about important Dharma matters. Mind your mind."  

The teacher continued, "The Buddha is explained and expressed and symbolized in our ordinary lives through attentiveness, insight, dedication, compassion, gratitude, wisdom, enlightenment, being down to earth, following a spiritual path and practice, following the Precepts, seeing clearly, supporting others, etc.   So, yes, I do oftentimes hear the Buddha Dharma revealed within our ordinary minds, ordinary deeds, and our ordinary words."

The student smiled.  

The Student's Considerations:

A teacher is not necessarily a Master.
Mind my mind: Observe, Judge, Control-Act.
Don't let the mind get too closed.
Being open minded is sometimes temporary impartiality.
"Mind", mind you, is hard to define, comprehend, explain.
Act, when needed, quickly; otherwise deliberate first.    

Related Links, Resources, References

GG, Hekiganroku: Gateless Gate, Translated by Katsuki Sekida, Cases 19, 27, 30, 33. 
BCR, Blue Cliff Record, Translated by Katsuki Sekida, Cases 37, 50 

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Koan Database Project

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters
Matches to Start the Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Zen Buddhist Koan Collections
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Hard Questions
Bibliography, Indexing, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

Transmission of Light: Buddhist Biographies by Keizan

Transmission of Light (TOL)

53 Biographies of Buddhist Patriarchs, Leaders, Legends, Thinkers, Famous Ones
Written by Zen Master Keizan (1268-1325). Title: Denkoroku.
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft on March 30, 2023.
Source for Biographies: Transmission of Light: Zen in the Art of Enlightenment. Translated by Thomas Cleary, 1990, 207 pages.

Alphabetical List of the Biographies in the Transmission of Light (TOL) Collection. PDF, 3 pages.

List of Biography Cases by Case Numbers in the Transmission of Light (TOL) Collection. PDF, 2 pages.

Subject Index to the Biographies in the Transmission of Light (TOL) Collection. PDF, 3 pages.

Books I Use in My Research and Study of Koan Collections

Zen Master Keizan Information 

Koan Database Project 

Subject Index to 1,001 Zen Buddhist Koans

 

Falling on Deaf Ears

 The Fireplace Records, Chapter 12

Falling on Deaf Ears

 "Mulla Nasreddin was at the teahouse one afternoon when Arif the Hakim Doctor walked in. “How are you, Mullah? I hope you and your family are well,” Arif asked politely. 

“I’m fine, thanks, Arif, but I’m worried about my wife, who seems to have become very hard of hearing. Is there any cure for her problem?” asked Nasreddin.

“Well, some degree of age-related hearing loss is normal,” Arif said. “If you bring your wife to my dispensary, I can check her hearing and prescribe the necessary treatment. But before you do that, you can try this simple test. When you go home this evening, call out to your wife from the gate and see if she hears you. If not, then try speaking to her from the front door and keep reducing the distance until she responds. This way you will be able to gauge how serious her hearing deficiency is.”

Nasreddin thanked the doctor for the free medical advice and headed home. Calling out to Fatima from the gate in the front yard, Nasreddin said loudly: “I’m home, dear. What are we having for dinner?”

 Getting no reply, Nasreddin opened the front door and yelled: “I’m home, dear. What are we having for dinner?”

 Still getting no response, Nasreddin pushed open the kitchen door and repeated loudly: “What’s for dinner, dear?”

Fatima, who was stirring a large pot on the stove, turned to face her husband. “Are you deaf, Nasreddin?” she said angrily, wiping her hands on her apron. “For the third and last time, I repeat: we are having fish stew and pilaf, followed by apricot halva for dessert. And, Nasreddin, please get me some more kindling for the kitchen stove fire.”

Mulla Nasreddin could not hear her very well.  He had a sudden insight.    

My teacher said, "Mulla Nasreddin is often portrayed as a gentle dimwit.  His little tales intrigue us with humor, cleverness, stupidity, and puzzling remarks. Many Zen Koans seem rather dumb, nonsensical, puzzling, and illogical, but seldom as off base as the crazy wisdom of Nasreddin." 

A Student's Considerations:

Look into your own skills and limitations first.
Hearing and listening are not the same.
Get closer and speak softly.  Don't yell so often.
Listen to yourself talking more carefully.
Think and reason before making a judgment.
Ride a donkey or horse--- or walk.
What's with that big hat on Mulla Nasreddin's head?

 

 Related Links, Resources, References

Mulla Nasreddin (1208-1285) 

The World of Mulla Nasreddin. Translated with commentary by Idries Shah. Kindle Scribe, 2020, 493 pages. VSCL, Kindle E Book.

Refer to my Cloud Hands Blog Posts on the topic of Koans/Dialogues.

The Daodejing by Laozi    Best? 

Pulling Onions  Over 1,043 One-line Sayings by Mike Garofalo

Chinese Chan Buddhist and Taoist Stories and Koans

Taoism

Buddhism

Fireplaces, Stoves, Campfires, Kitchens, Pots, Firewood

Chinese Art

Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong

Meditation Methods

Zen Koan Books I Use

Song Dynasty, China, 960-1279  

Koan Database Project

Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters
Zen Buddhist Koan Collections
Bibliography, Quotations, Indexing, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records By Michael P. Garofalo

Koan Database Project

Subject and Title Indexes
Koan Database Project

To Brief Spiritual Lessons, Parables,
Koan Cases, Stories, Definitions, Tales,
Questions, Dialogues, Lectures, Statements

Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters

Matches to Start the Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Zen Buddhist Koan Collections
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Hard Questions
Bibliography, Indexing, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

Gateless Gate or Gateless Barrier Koan Collection (GB)
48 Cases of Brief Koans, Stories, Spiritual Encounters, Wisdom Tales, Sermons, Dialogues
Compiled around 1250 CE
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft on March 25, 2023.
Source for Case Titles: The Gateless Gate, Translated by Koun Yamada Roshi, 2004.

Alphabetical List of the Gateless Barrier (GB) Koan Collection Cases. PDF, 2 pages.

List of Cases by Case Numbers in the Gateless Barrier Koan Collection. PDF, 2 pages.

Subject Index to Cases in the Gateless Barrier (GB) Koan Collection. PDF, 9 pages.

PDF files are searchable. Use the keyboard strokes: Ctrl + F This will open the Search or Find box.

[I just started using Microsoft Access again on 3/23/2023. Just learning this database software by reading books and by creating this Koan Database Project in 2023. I am focused on improving my indexing skills, adding content, and improving my database Report creation skills.]

Reminder: When you find a hypertext document or file (PDF, JPG, .doc, GIF) on the Internet that seems valuable to you, then download the hypertext document or file to your computer's hard disk drive or on your external hard disk drive. Why? That hypertext document or file might be gone tomorrow!

 

The Blue Cliff Record Koan Collection (BCR)
100 Cases of Brief Koans, Stories, Spiritual Encounters, Wisdom Tales, Sermons, Dialogues
Compiled around 1125 CE
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft on March 25, 2023.
Source for Case Titles: The Blue Cliff Record, Translated by Thomas Cleary and J. C. Cleary, 1977.

Alphabetical List of the Blue Cliff Record (BCR) Koan Collection Cases. PDF, 4 pages.

List of Cases by Case Numbers in the Blue Cliff Record (BCR) Koan Collection. PDF, 4 pages.

Subject Index to Cases in the Blue Cliff Record (BCR) Koan Collection. PDF, 21 pages.

 

Daodejing by Laozi, Te Ching by Lao Tzu (DDJ)
Daodejing by Laozi.
81 Verses, Cases, Chapters. Our popular version compiled around 220 CE.
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. Third Draft in June 2014.

A typical webpage created by Michael P. Garofalo for each one of the 81 brief Chapters (Verses, Cases, Sections) of the Daodejing includes 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Daodejing includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Daodejing Chapter.

Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey

Daodejing by Laozi (DDJ)
81 Verses, Cases, Chapters, Sections. Our popular version compiled around 220 CE.
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft in June of 2023.
Source for Case/Verse/Chapter Titles: Tao Te Ching translation by Lin Yutang in 1955.
For the Koan Database, I limited search terms/Tags to 3 entries.
My more extensive online searchable Concordance for the Tao Te Ching is described above.

List of Cases by Case Numbers in the Daodejing (DDJ). PDF, 3 pages.

Alphabetical List of the Cases in the Tao Te Ching (DDJ). PDF, 3 pages.

Subject Index to Cases in the Tao Te Ching (DDJ) PDF, 15 pages.

 

The Book of Serenity (BOS) Book of Equanimity
100 Cases of Brief Koans, Stories, Spiritual Encounters, Wisdom Tales, Sermons, Dialogues
Compiled and published around 1224 CE.
Indexed by Michael P. Garofalo. First Draft on June 1, 2023.
Source for Case Titles: The Book of Serenity: One Hundred Zen Dialogues. Translated with commentary by Thomas Cleary, 2005.

Alphabetical List of the Book of Serenity (BOS) Koan Collection Cases. PDF, 4 pages.

List of Cases by Case Numbers in the Book of Serenity (BOS) Koan Collection. PDF, 4 pages.

Subject Index to Cases in the Book of Serenity (BOS) Koan Collection. PDF, 21 pages.

 

 

Master Subject Index
Koan Database Project
Indexing by Michael P. Garofalo
First Draft, April 1, 2023
This subject index includes Cases from the:
Blue Cliff Record (BCR), 100 Cases
Gateless Barrier (GB), 48 Cases
Book of Serenity (BOS), 25 Cases
Daodejing (DDJ), 20 Cases
Fireplace Records (TFR), 12 Cases
PDF files are searchable. Use the keyboard strokes: Ctrl + F This will open the Search or Find box.

Master Subject Index of the Koan Database Project. PDF, 42 pages.

PDF files are searchable. Use the keyboard strokes: Ctrl + F This will open the Search or Find box.

 

What's Coming in 2023 and 2024:

Michael Garofalo's Brief Spiritual Lessons Indexing Project

Indexing Brief Spiritual Lessons, Stories, Koans, Encounters, Wisdom Tales, Lectures,
Sermons, Lore, Dialogues, Inspirational Verse, History, Scriptures, Advice, Poetry,
Buddhist and Taoist Literature, Collected Lessons, and Lore

Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. Daodejing by Laozi. 81 Cases, Verses, Chapters. Our version compiled around 220 CE.

Book of Serenity (BOS) 100 Koan Collection; Compiled around 1224 CE.

Master Subject Index of the Koan Database Project

Dogen Koan Collection (Shinji Mana Shobogenzo) (SMS) 301 Koan Collection; Compiled around 1220 CE.

Transmission of Light. 53 Biographies, compiled by Keizan around 1310 CE.

Open a Mountain. 60 Koan Collection, compiled by Steven Heine, 2001.

Entangling Vines. 272 Koans; compiled and printed in Japan in 1658.

Modern (MOD) Modern (1800-1999) Contemporary Brief Spiritual Verses, Key Leaders, Information

The Record of Linji. 50 Koan Collection; translation and commentary by Ruth Fuller Sasaki, 2009. Compiled around 850 CE.

Books I Use in My Research and Study of Koan Collections

Sparks: Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters
Matches to Start the Kindling of Insight
May the Light from Your Inner Fireplace Help All Beings
Zen Buddhist Koan Collections
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Hard Questions
Bibliography, Indexing, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records
By Michael P. Garofalo

 

 

Database Software: Microsoft Access

 I have used the Microsoft Access database software since 2001.  I used Access for work at my places of employment and at home for database applications.  

I had not used Access since 2017, and had used Microsoft Excel since 2017 for related simple home database applications.  

To my surprise, Access is not included in my current low budget Microsoft Office package.  I had to shell out $175.00 today for the Microsoft Access software.  I've used database software since the 1990's.  I like this kind of power user database software.  

I am currently working on a major database Project in 2023.  I call it:
"The Subject Index to Cases in Koan Collections."

The Access database for this project on my C: hard drive is called:
Koan Case Database.

The Folder on my C: hard drive where I store the various files, reports, backups, images, documents, downloads, etc., for this project is at:
C:\Koan Database. 

I was able to import all my existing Excel data into a new database called: Koan Case Database.  

Brief Spiritual Stories, Dialogues, and Encounters
Zen Buddhist Koan Collections
Catching Phrases, Inspiring Verses, Hard Questions
Bibliography, Quotations, Notes, Resources
Research by Michael P. Garofalo

The Fireplace Records By Michael P. Garofalo

Walking Meditation: When Walking is Only for Walking

"Walking meditation means to enjoy walking without any intention to arrive. We don't need to arrive anywhere.  We just walk. We enjoy walking. That means walking is already stopping, and that needs some training.  Usually in our daily life we walk because we want to go somewhere. Walking is only a means to an end, and that is why we do not enjoy every step we take. Walking meditation is different. Walking is only for walking. You enjoy every step you take. So this is a kind of revolution in walking. You allow yourself to enjoy every step you take.
The Zen master Ling Chi said that the miracle is not to walk on burning charcoal or in the thin air or on the water; the miracle is just to walk on earth. You breathe in. You become aware of the fact that you are alive. You are still alive and you are walking on this beautiful planet. That is already performing a miracle. The greatest of all miracles is to be alive. We have to awaken ourselves to the truth that we are here, alive. We are here making steps on this beautiful planet. This is already performing a miracle.  But we have to be here in order for the miracle to be possible. We have to bring ourselves back to the here and the now."
-  Thich Nhat Hanh, Resting in the River


Walking Meditation:  Quotes, Bibliography, Links, Information, Methods


"Walking meditation is walking in full awareness of breath, body and everything the senses present.  It is not an aerobic exercise - though it would be a fine lead-in to aerobic walking.  Rather, walking meditation is done slowly and consciously, with each step fully feeling the earth.  During this precious time, body and mind come together, joined in the present moment.  Although the benefits of walking meditation will deepen over time, even from the start, you can experience some measure of the relaxation, balance and quiet energy that builds through this practice."
-  Ginny Whitelaw, Body Learning, p. 55.   


"Research conducted at Harvard Medical School’s Mind/Body Medical Institute has found that focused walking meditations are highly effective for reducing anxiety and producing  what’s called the “relaxation response.”
-  Borgess Health    


The Ways of Walking
Compiled by Mike Garofalo
Quotations, Poems, Sayings, Lore, Facts


"Walking meditation is not just for stretching our legs. It is a technique just as powerful as sitting. Within the Buddhist world there are many styles of walking meditation: the formal kinhin of Zen, the kaihogyo of Mt. Hiei, the rlung-sgom of Tibet, etc.
    Walk slowly but naturally. Try to register as much information as possible about the sensation in each foot as it moves. Break the movement into distinct components and note each one.  Distinguish the lifting, swinging and down-tread. Experience each change in tactile sensation against the floor as you lift and touch down. Try to feel the many tiny jerks of muscles involved in the foot's seemingly smooth motion. Try to see that each component and sub-component of the foot's motion has its own distinct beginning, middle and end.
    At first you may want to make explicit mental note of the components by saying to yourself something like "Begin lift, lifting, end lift, begin swing, swinging, end swing, begin coming down, coming down, begin touching ground, touching..." However, as you become more and more aware of subtle events, you will not have time to characterize each with words. In any event, keep an unbroken stream of awareness about the foot. If your attention wanders, be aware of that fact and return to the foot. Remember, it is very important to keep the rest of the body relaxed
while you do this.
    Our sense of solidity and separateness comes about because we habitually grasp and freeze each moment of sensation. The vipassana walking exercise is designed to so completely flood your consciousness with reality moments that there simply is no time left for grasping and freezing. As soon as a piece of data is registered, move on to the next piece of data without allowing the memory of the former piece of data to congeal."
-   Walking Meditation, Shinzen Young
  

 

 

Productive Relationships

"If I can create a relationship characterized on my part:
 by a genuineness and transparency, in which I am my real feelings;
 by a warm acceptance of and prizing of the other person as a separate individual;
 by a sensitive ability to see his world and himself as he sees them;
 Then the other individual in the relationship:
 will experience and understand aspects of himself which previously he as repressed;
 will find himself becoming better integrated, more able to function effectively;
 will become more similar to the person he would like to be;
 will be more self-directing and self-confident;
 will become more of a person, more unique and more self-expressive;
 will be more understanding, more acceptant of others;
 will be able to cope with the problems of life more adequately and more comfortably."

 On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy, p. 37.  By Carl R. Rogers.  Written around 1955. 
  

How to Live a Good Life: Advice From Wise Persons

Virtue Ethics

Aging Well

Tao Te Ching, Chapter 22

Dao De Jing by Lao Tzu
Chapter 22

"In cultivating the Tao there are first the sprouts; then perfection.
First, there is perversion; then rectification.
First there is hollowness and receptivity; then plenitude.
First there is destruction of the old; then renovation.
First there is humility; then acquisition.
Self-sufficiency is followed by suspicion on the part of others.
Therefore, the Sage preserves unity in his heart and becomes a pattern to the whole world.
He does not say of himself that he can see, and therefore he is perspicacious.
He does not say of himself that he is right, and therefore he is manifested to all.
He does pot praise himself, and therefore his merit is recognized.
He is not self-conceited, and therefore he increases in knowledge.
And as he never strives with anybody, so the world does not strive with him.
Can that saying of the olden times—"First the sprouts, then perfection"—be called meaningless?
The attainment of genuine perfection implies a reversion to the original nature of man."
-  Translated by Frederic H. Balfour, 1884, Chapter 22     



"The imperfect is completed.
The crooked is straightened.
The empty is filled.
The old is renewed.
With few there is attainment.
With much there is confusion.
Therefore the sage grasps the one and becomes the model for all.
She does not show herself, and therefore is apparent.
She does not affirm herself, and therefore is acknowledged.
She does not boast and therefore has merit.
She does not strive and is therefore successful.
It is exactly because she does not contend, that nobody can contend with her.
How could the ancient saying, "The imperfect is completed" be regarded as empty talk?
Believe in the complete and return to it."
-  Translated by Charles Muller, 1891, Chapter 22

"Yield, and maintain integrity.
To bend is to be upright;
to be empty is to be full. 

Those who have little have much to gain, 
but those who have much 
may be confused by possessions.

The wise man embraces the all encompassing;
he is unaware of himself, and so has brilliance;
not defending himself, he gains distinction; 
not seeking fame, he receives recognition; 
not making false claims, he does not falter;
and not being quarrelsome, 
is in conflict with no one.

This is why it was said by the sages of old,
"Yield, and maintain integrity;
be whole, and all things come to you"."
-  Translated by Stan Rosenthal, 1984, Chapter 22 

"That which is incomplete becomes complete.
The crooked becomes straight,
The empty becomes full,
The worn-out becomes new.
He who obtains has little,
He who scatters has much.
That is why the self-controlled man holds to Unity and brings it into manifestation for men.
He looks not at self, therefore he sees clearly;
He asserts not himself, therefore he shines;
He boasts not of self, therefore he has merit;
He glorifies not himself, therefore he endures.
The Master indeed does not strive, yet no one in the world can strive against him.
The words of the Ancients were not empty words:
"That which is incomplete becomes complete."
Acquire completeness by returning it."
-  Translated by Isabella Mears, 1916, Chapter 22 

曲則全.
枉則直.
窪則盈.
弊則新.
少則得.
多則惑.
是以聖人抱一為天下式.
不自見故明.
不自是故彰.
不自伐.
故有功不自矜故長.
夫唯不爭, 故天下莫能與之爭.
古之所謂曲則全者, 豈虛言哉.
誠全而歸之.-  Chinese characters, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 22

qu ze quan.
 wang ze zhi.
 wa ze ying.
 bi ze xin,
 shao ze de,
 duo ze huo.
 shi yi sheng ren bao yi wei tian xia shi.
 bu zi jian gu ming.
 bu zi shi gu zhang.
 bu zi fa.
 gu you gong bu zi jin gu zhang.
 fu wei bu zheng, gu tian xia mo neng yu zhi zheng.
 gu zhi suo wei qu ze quan zhe, qi xu yan zai.
 cheng quan er gui zhi.
 -  Pinyin Romanization, Daodejing, Chapter 22
  

"'Yield and you need not break:
 Bent you can straighten,
 Emptied you can hold,
 Torn you can mend;
 And as want can reward you
 So wealth can bewilder.
 Aware of this, a wise man has the simple return
 Which other men seek:
 Without inflaming himself
 He is kindled,
 Without explaining himself
 Is explained,
 Without taking credit
 Is accredited,
 Laying no claim
 Is acclaimed
 And, because he does not compete,
 Finds peaceful competence.
 How true is the old saying,
 'Yield and you need not break'!
 How completely it comes home!"
 -  Translated by Witter Bynner, 1944, Chapter 22

"Acepta y serás completo,
Inclinate y serás recto,
Vacíate y quedarás lleno,
Decae, y te renovarás,
Desea, y conseguirás,
Buscando la satisfacción quedas confuso.

El Sabio acepta el Mundo
Como el Mundo acepta el Tao;
No se muestra a si mismo, y así es visto claramente,
No se justifica a si mismo, y por eso destaca,
No se empeña, y así realiza su obra,
No se glorifica, y por eso es excelso,
No busca la lucha, y por eso nadie lucha contra él.

Los Santos decían, "acepta y serás completo",
Una vez completo, el Mundo es tu hogar."
-  Translated by Antonio Rivas, 1998, Chapter 22 

"To yield is to be preserved whole.
To be bent is to become straight.
To be hollow is to be filled.
To be tattered is to be renewed.
To be in want is to possess.
To have plenty is to be confused.

Therefore the Sage embraces the One,
And becomes the model of the world.
He does not reveal himself,
   And is therefore luminous.
He does not justify himself,
   And is therefore far-famed.
He does not boast of himself,
   And therefore people give him credit.
He does not pride himself,
   And is therefore the chief among men.

Is it not indeed true, as the ancients say,
   "To yield is to be preserved whole?"
Thus he is preserved and the world does him homage."
-  Translated by Lin Yutang, 1948, Chapter 22 



"Strength to the Humble
I Ch'ien

To be crooked is to become perfect;
To be bent is to become straight;
To be hollow is to become full;
To be worn out is to be renewed;
To have little is to receive more;
To have plenty is to be perplexed.
Therefore, the Sage embraces the One,
And serves as model for the world.
As he does not like to show off, he is enlightened;
As he is not prone to be self-righteous, he is distinguished;
As he does not blow his own horn, he acquires merit;
As he does not extol himself, he is fit to be a leader.
And it is precisely because he does not contend,
That no one under heaven can contend with him.
The ancient saying "To be crooked is to become perfect"
Surely is not an empty remark.
The world goes to him who is truly perfect."
- Translated by Henry Wei, 1982, Chapter 22

"If you want to become whole,
first let yourself become broken.
If you want to become straight,
first let yourself become twisted.
If you want to become full,
first let yourself become empty.
If you want to become new,
first let yourself become old.
Those whose desires are few get them,
those whose desires are great go astray.

For this reason the Master embraces the Tao,
as an example for the world to follow.
Because she isn't self centered,
people can see the light in her.
Because she does not boast of herself,
she becomes a shining example.
Because she does not glorify herself,
she becomes a person of merit.
Because she wants nothing from the world,
the world can not overcome her.

When the ancient Masters said,
"If you want to become whole,
then first let yourself be broken,"
they weren't using empty words.
All who do this will be made complete."
-  Translated by John H. McDonald, 1996, Chapter 22 


"Bend to not break.
Wrong leads to right,
Depletion to expansion,
Ruin to revival,
Deprivation to acquisition.
Thus the wise hold fast to oneness,
Their measure for this world below;
They make no display and thus shed light,
Put forward no claim and thus set patterns,
Do not advance and thus succeed,
Do not assert and thus preside.
By their refusal to contend
The world cannot with them contend.
Those ancient words “Bend to not break”
Have pith and point
Truly those unbroken credit them.
“Spare speech and let things be.” "
- Translated by Moss Roberts, 2001, Chapter 22

A typical webpage created by Mike Garofalo for each one of the 81 Chapters (Verses, Sections) of the Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) by Lao Tzu (Laozi) includes up to 25 different English language translations or interpolations for that Chapter, 5 Spanish language translations for that Chapter, the Chinese characters for that Chapter, the Wade-Giles and Hanyu Pinyin transliterations (Romanization) of the Mandarin Chinese words for that Chapter, and 2 German and 1 French translation of that Chapter.  Each webpage for each one of the 81 Chapters of the Tao Te Ching includes extensive indexing by key words, phrases, and terms for that Chapter in English, Spanish, and the Wade-Giles Romanization.  Each webpage on a Chapter of the Daodejing includes recommended reading in books and websites, a detailed bibliography, some commentary, research leads, translation sources, a Google Translate drop down menu, and other resources for that Chapter.  

 

Chapter 22, Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Chapter and Thematic Index (Concordance) to the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

English Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Spanish Language Daodejing Translators' Source Index

Ripening Peaches: Taoist Studies and Practices

Taoism: A Selected Reading List

One Old Daoist Druid's Final Journey  

Playing Like a Deer

A repost from 2016:

"The Deer Play is to imitate the shape and movement of a deer hoping to attain long life and pure soul like a deer. The features of a deer are its gentle disposition, swift movement, love to push with horns, and good at running. When it stands it likes to stretch its neck to glance at things afar. The deer also likes looking at left and right and its rear foot. It is also good at moving its tail bones (sacrum). The tail bone is the place where the Jen and Du meridians meet. Thus, during practice, the practitioner not only needs to imitate the attitude of a deer with swift movement and calm spirit, but also need to focus attention on the tail bone. This will guide Qi to the whole body, open meridians, circulate blood, relax tendons and bones, and benefit kidney and strengthen waist. It can also enhance blood circulation in the abdomen. This play is suitable for curing dysfunctional nerves in the internal organs, chronicle infections of the internal organs in the abdomen, fatigue in the waist muscles, nerve pain in the pelvis, deteriorated thigh bones, and the lack of sex drives."
-   Five Animal Frolics  

"Breathing in and out in various manners, spitting out the old and taking in the new, walking like a bear and stretching their neck like a bird to achieve longevity - this is what such practitioners of Daoyin, cultivators of the body and all those searching for long life like Ancestor Peng, enjoy." -   Chuang-tzu, circa 300 BCE. 

"Firstly, we analyze its function in the aspect of psychological regulation as it is required that the practitioner should do it before and during each routines in the exercise of the Health Qigong Wu Qin Xi. The practitioner should mind on the Dantian and rid of the distracted thoughts with quiet mind and spirit before the exercise, get into the imitation of its physical activities of each animal in the exercise. When practicing the tiger exercise, try to imagine yourself as a fierce tiger in the mountains who is looking down upon other beasts and stretching its own pawns and about to pounce on its prey; in the deer exercise, imagine that you are prudent and mild, jogging on a green field; in the exercise of the bear, you are a clumsy bear, composed and steady, freely roaming the forests; in the monkey exercise, you become a happy and agile monkey; in the bird exercise, you are a free bird with quiet mind and flying in the sky. Therefore you can continuously regulate the mind state in the exercise and it is helpful to the relaxation of the mind. The regular exercise of this skill can transform and regulate the mind of the practitioner to relieve the spiritual nervousness, improve the emotional stability, reduce the mental stress and keep the healthy mind."
-   The Effect of Precaution against Sub-health of the Health Qigong Wu Qin Xi.  Chinese Health Qigong Association.  2008.   

 

Five Animal Frolics

Deer Frolic  (Someday I might finish this webpage.  Oh well!  No hurry!)