8)
:>)
wchurchill: I have a diary to write about people who have $100,000 dollars to invest. But I would seriously recommend contacting Chris Cook re: what noble uses could be made of large spare change.
I have an album to produce, and it won't sell even one small copy! Who's gonna invest?
But yes! And so...wchurchill..the tao of the tao calls...
(randomly chosen, of course)
...but I couldn't find my translation of the Tao Te Ching...
and then I thought: how about the I Ching?
Yes! Of course!
Here we go...
I threw (for you)...
51 - Chen / The Arousing (Shock, Thunder)
THE JUDGEMENT
SHOCK brings success. Shock comes--oh, oh! Laughing words--ha, ha! The shock terrifies for a hundred miles, And he does not let fall the sacrificial spoon and chalice
But what does it mean?
[Luckily God doesn't exist]
[Hold on. Joy and merriment?]
When a man or woman has learned within his or her heart what fear and trembling mean, he or she is safeguarded against any terror produced by outside influence. Let the thunder roll and spread terror a hundred miles around; he or she remains so composed and reverent in spirit that the sacrificial rite is not interupted. This is the spirit that must animate leaders and rulers of men--a profound inner seriousness from which all outer terrors glance off harmelessly.
And the image...
If only!
(Not moving lines.)
Tell me if I'm way off line! Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.
The shock of continuing thunder brings fear and trembling. The superior man is always filled with reverence at the manifestation of God; he sets his life in order and searches his heart, lest it harbor any secret opposition to the will of God. Thus reverence is the foundation of true culture.
I'm trying to read every morning at least a chapter of a wonderful book by Thomas Merton, "New Seeds of Contemplation". Yesterday's reading was Chapter 25, Humility against Despair, and the closing paragraphs were:
A humble man can do great things with an uncommon perfection because he is no longer concerned about incidentals, like his own interests and his own reputation, and therefore he no longer needs to waste his efforts in defending them. For a humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anthing, even of himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God, before Whom no other power has any meaning and for Whom there is no such thing as an obstacle. Humility is the surest sign of strength.
For a humble man is not afraid of failure. In fact, he is not afraid of anthing, even of himself, since perfect humility implies perfect confidence in the power of God, before Whom no other power has any meaning and for Whom there is no such thing as an obstacle.
Humility is the surest sign of strength.
I was struck with the connection from the I Ching, "searches his heart, lest it harbor any secret opposition to the will of God",,,,,and Merton, "perfect confidence in the power of God, before Whom no other power has any meaning".
In the past I've thrown the I Ching regarding certain questions I might be grappling with in life, and have frequently been stunned with the relevance of the answer. But it's interesting to see the relevance even when some one else throws it with you in mind. Scary.
Please note these readings are thoughts for improvement in life,,,,,and in no way do I mean to imply that I am the "superior man", or have the humility described,,,,,I wish, but it's far from it.
PS: I'm sure Chris would have some great ideas for "spare change", but right now I have more than enough good causes for my meagre resources.
;)
Did you see this diary? Don't fight forces, use them R. Buckminster Fuller.
