The reading this week was pretty short, and most of the concepts can be effectively wrapped up in just a couple sentences.
Judging oneself and others by comparison creates complexes which impede everyone’s ability to see reality for what it is. Everyone is different and everyone’s best and hardest work is different. When we focus on our commonalities, we are all one.
We should do things because we mean it – not because you want others to think you mean it. Be wise with your actions.
Life is fun! We enjoy the good times and we get to work hard and feel satisfaction when we get through the bad times. Its important to not get bogged down by the materialistic side of things during the bad times – because the bad times teach us just as much and are jsut as valuable as the good times.
The section entitled “Water” again reminded me of this Bruce Lee quote:
Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water in a cup, it becomes the cup; You put water into a bottle it becomes the bottle; You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.
The story of the stone is a very practical and important one. Is it the stone’s fault you tripped, or is it your fault for not being aware of the stone? What other implications does this have though? How could it be applied to thinks like politics?
Sorry I’ve missed so much of this section. My life has been non-stop chaos this month. I’m planning on going back and doing the essays that I’ve missed. I’m hoping things will smooth out, but who knows. I’ll keep trying my hardest to be here!