Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 57-5 No prohibitions


Today's Tao

The more annoying prohibitions there are in the world under the sky, the poorer the people get. (Ch.57)


"You must not do this!"

"You must not eat that!"

Look at the people around you.

Aren't they saying things like that?

Prohibitions make people poorer.

They create resistance and block the free flow of Tao.

Don't impose your prohibitions on others.

If others impose their prohibitions on you, what can you do?

Love them, and accept who they are, but you do not necessarily have to do what they are saying.


«Related Articles»
-Justice 57-1
-Surprise attack 57-2
-Don't work 57-3
-How do I know? 57-4
-No prohibitions 57-5
-More useful tools 57-6
-More intelligent, more evil 57-7
-Ho 法 and Laws 57-8
-Sage's "Do nothing" 57-9
-Don't move 57-10
-Don't work and Get rich 57-11
-Desire 57-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 57


Tao answers your question!



☞«Forbidden Colors» is the title for the theme of «Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence / Furyo / Senjo no meriikurisumasu», in which David Bowie, Takeshi Kitano, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and Nagisa Oshima got together. The tune was originally composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto acting in the film as a Japanese officer. Gyasi sings beautifully the song. Besides, Yukio Mishima wrote the novel «Forbidden Colors».

Monday, November 29, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 57-4 How do I know?


Today's Tao

How do I know this? (Ch.57)


You know everything.

I repeat "You know everything." although you may feel absolutely contrary.

You may want to say:

"How can you know everything that is happening in the whole world!"

Let's imagine as if you were a radio.

You might have an access to everything, but simply select what you need over what you don't.

That's how information is being reconstructed in your own self, which is after all part of a hologram. (That's one way to look at what is happening with you right here right now.)

The hologram exists as a catalyst to stimulate true You, which know all because you are Tao itself.


«Related Articles»
-Justice 57-1
-Surprise attack 57-2
-Don't work 57-3
-How do I know? 57-4
-No prohibitions 57-5
-More useful tools 57-6
-More intelligent, more evil 57-7
-Ho 法 and Laws 57-8
-Sage's "Do nothing" 57-9
-Don't move 57-10
-Don't work and Get rich 57-11
-Desire 57-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 57
-Restructured world 15-12


Tao answers your question!



☞As the holiday season approaches, you may be looking for a nice gift for your loved ones. If, in case, you are in trouble finding a suitable gift for an intellectual (and probably choosy) person, why don't you try the combination of a Japanese Buckwheat Pillow (Soba gara makura) and Natsume Soseki's «Kusamakura», which means a grass pillow? He will be happy to enjoy the book while resting comfortably on the pillow as the Japanese author might have done after having finished writing it.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 57-3 Don't work


Today's Tao

You get the world under the sky by doing no work. (Ch.57)


Lao Tzu is saying here:

"Don't govern your state with so-called justice.

Don't launch a surprise attack.

Do not work on any. Don't interfere."


He is discouraging you from using your intelligence.

The world, which you want to transform with your intelligence, is a hologram and catalyst you project.

By doing nothing, you can change the world.

If you accept all, the world will change itself.


«Related Articles»
-Justice 57-1
-Surprise attack 57-2
-Don't work 57-3
-How do I know? 57-4
-No prohibitions 57-5
-More useful tools 57-6
-More intelligent, more evil 57-7
-Ho 法 and Laws 57-8
-Sage's "Do nothing" 57-9
-Don't move 57-10
-Don't work and Get rich 57-11
-Desire 57-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 57
-No work 63-2


Tao answers your question!



☞I don't know if Sei Shonagon, the author of «Makura no Soshi / The Pillow Book», would be happy about the film «The Pillow Book». Probably yes. Thanks to Peter Greenaway, the classical collection of the medieval essays by an intelligent imperial female servant is now digitally immortalized in DVD. (☞See also Can't help it 30-9)

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 57-2 Surprise attack


Today's Tao

You use soldiers in a surprising way. (Ch.57)


Don't use your intelligence.

This is the theme of this chapter 57 Intelligence.

Intelligence is not so "intelligent" as we think it is.

In war, some generals opt for a surprise attack and think that they are more intelligent than their enemies.

But history has already told us so many times that a surprise attack is useless.

Intelligence is useless.

The moment we think we are intelligent, we are trapped.


«Related Articles»
-Justice 57-1
-Surprise attack 57-2
-Don't work 57-3
-How do I know? 57-4
-No prohibitions 57-5
-More useful tools 57-6
-More intelligent, more evil 57-7
-Ho 法 and Laws 57-8
-Sage's "Do nothing" 57-9
-Don't move 57-10
-Don't work and Get rich 57-11
-Desire 57-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 57


Tao answers your question!



☞Who are perfect women? Women like them do not exist, some might say. All women are perfect, others can say. In Japanese literature, Fujitsubo of «The Tale of Genji» has been considered as one of them along with Komako, the perfect Onsen Geisha in Yasunari Kawabata's «Snow Country». One should not omit Midori of Ichiyo Higuchi's «Takekurabe», who is supposed to have inspired Kafu Nagai in his creation of Oyuki, who sells pleasure illegally in «A Strange Tale from East of the River».

Friday, November 26, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 57-1 Justice


Today's Tao

You govern a state with justice. (Ch.57)


Justice, which one imposes on another, is useless.

There is no difference between justice and injustice.

Lao Tzu asks you not to judge.

True justice is accepting all. That's what Lao Tzu is talking about here.

If you feel like complaining about injustice, it is a good sign that you are not accepting your holograms.

The one and only justice is to maintain the circulation of Tao's energy with the least possible amount of resistance.


«Related Articles»
-Justice 57-1
-Surprise attack 57-2
-Don't work 57-3
-How do I know? 57-4
-No prohibitions 57-5
-More useful tools 57-6
-More intelligent, more evil 57-7
-Ho 法 and Laws 57-8
-Sage's "Do nothing" 57-9
-Don't move 57-10
-Don't work and Get rich 57-11
-Desire 57-12
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 57


Tao answers your question!



☞At first, I found it fantastic to use Albert Einstein's photo for the publicity of a Japanese Classic «The Tale of Genji». Later, when I got to realize that the name of Einstein has been given to the collection of their books for Kindle, I have to admit, I was greatly disappointed. ☞«The Confession of Lady Nijo» is an interesting medieval record of the battle between libido and financial gain in a woman.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-15 Noblest


Today's Tao

Therefore, it is the noblest in the world. (Ch.56)


Tao, which is true You, is the beginning and the end.

It is the unique existence.

Logically, it is the noblest.

Let's review this chapter 56, in which we discuss 10 points to be one with Tao. 玄同 [gen do] (=to be one with Dark Depth, =to be one with Tao)


1. Do not see (especially TV news).

2. Do not listen (to especially someone who speaks up).

3. Do not speak. (Especially do not try to convince others.)

4. Be dull. Don't be special.

5. Accept everything as it is.

6. Accept it with gratitude.

7. Remember that you are Tao. (Don't try to reach Tao or get Satori. Useless.)

8. Don't try to influence Tao. It is a waste of energy.

9. Don't worship Tao. (=Don't worship yourself.)

10. Don't make light of Tao. (=Don't make light of yourself.)


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞«Kappa» is an imaginary animal who is supposed to live in the water. Akutagawa prize was named after Ryunosuke Akutagawa, who is the author of «Rashomon» and «Kappa» among others. Ryu Murakami won the prize with his «Almost Transparent Blue».

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-14 Debase it?


Today's Tao

You cannot debase it. (Ch.56)


Tao is beyond human values.

Therefore, "You cannot ennoble it. You cannot debase it".

Don't worship Tao.

Don't worship yourself, either.

But at the same time, don't despise Tao.

Don't despise yourself, either.

I have to make it clear that the word "hologram" is not a pejorative at all.

Please don't say: "The world is just a hologram. Let's ignore it".

Your precious Self is part of your perfect holographic world although your own self is not true You.

Get it?

Accept the world, but don't be attached to it.

Accept your own self, but don't be attached to it.

They are a beautiful hologram, aren't they?


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Sincerely I would like to thank both gentlemen and exceptional literary figures: Mr Donald Keene and Mr Shusaku Endo. Both works here, Mr Endo's «The Sea and Poison» and Mr Keene's «So Lovely a Country Will Never Perish: Wartime Diaries of Japanese Writers» are important records on Japan and the Japanese during World War 2. The former is about the medical experiments on American prisoners of war. The latter includes the diaries written by Kafu Nagai, Sei Ito, Futaro Yamada and Jun Takami among others.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-13 Ennoble it?


Today's Tao

You cannot ennoble it. (Ch.56)


Tao has nothing to do with human values.

You cannot ennoble Tao.

So, don't worship Tao.

Don't give a special status to Tao

It is counterproductive.

Tao is neutral.

Don't make a wish to Tao unless you cannot help it.

No matter how much you ask Tao to do something for your benefit, it won't help you.

If you worship Tao, you cannot regard the so-called reality as a hologram.

For the same reason, don't worship yourself.

Don't feed your ego.

Remember?

Your own self doesn't belong to you. (☞see You and non-you)


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞In «A Zen Life» you can watch Daisetz Suzuki talking about Zen. ☞In «The Zen Mind» you can watch beautiful Zen temples in Japan.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-12 Harm?


Today's Tao

You cannot do it harm. (Ch.56)


Tao is not material.

It has nothing to do with damage.

No matter what you do, you cannot damage Tao.


Zen Master Dogen paraphrases this:

"No one can ever do anything evil."

(Shoakumakusa 諸悪莫作, «Shobogenzo»)

「諸悪さらにつくられざるなり」


If you see something evil, do not judge because it is part of your hologram.

So, something seemingly harmful exists as a catalyst to stimulate you to emit more Love.

Trust Tao.

It is always intact.

No matter what you do, Tao will never ever judge you.

Don't worry.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Any place can be your Mind garden. You can create a Zen garden in your backyard. Or, you can imagine a movie theatre as if it was your Rock garden. The movie «Zen» is an easy and authentic introduction to Master Dogen's life.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-11 Benefit?


Today's Tao

You cannot give benefit to it. (Ch.56)


Tao is not material.

It has nothing to do with benefit.

Let's make it clear.

All the material beings, including so-called benefit, belong to your hologram.

Tao does not belong to the hologram.

Tao manifests itself through the hologram.

Tao has nothing to do with benefit, neither its benefit nor your benefit.


Listen to Zen Master Dogen's caution:

"You don't practice Buddha's manifestation for your own self, not to mention, for your fame or benefit."

(«Gakudo yojin shu 学道用心集»)

夫れ仏法修行は尚自身のためにせず、況んや名聞利養のためにこれを修せんや (鎌田茂雄「正法眼蔵随聞記講話」第一講より)


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Kenzaburo Oe is a Nobel prize winner, and was a high school class mate and brother-in-law of late Juzo Itami, who directed «Tampopo» the Ramen Noodle Western among other successful and funny movies.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-10 Staying away?


Today's Tao

You cannot stay away from it. (Ch.56)


So, you cannot stay away from Tao because you are Tao.


Zen Master Dogen says in his «Shobogenzo»:

うをとり、いまだむかしよりみづそらをはなれず。

[Uwo tori, imada mukashi yori midu sora wo hanarezu]

"Fish/birds have never, since the olden days, left water/the sky.

Your own self cannot leave the hologram as fish/birds cannot leave water/the sky".

(Genjokoan 現成公案, «Shobogenzo»)


The reverse side of the truth is the same.

True you are Tao, so, of course you cannot leave Tao.


The master cautions:

"If fish try to completely understand water first, or if birds try to completely understand the sky before they fly, they cannot get the way neither in water nor in the sky."


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Physics fascinates us. It doesn't matter if you live in the East or in the West. Gennai Hiraga was a samurai, but it did not stop him from experimenting things in terms of physics. He is supposed to be the first Japanese man who fabricated an electric generator. If physics can fascinate a samurai, there's nothing wrong with Oriental philosophies fascinating an Occidental physicist. «The Dancing Wu Li Masters» is an easy guide to the concept of relativity.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-9 Closer to Tao


Today's Tao

Therefore, you cannot get close to it. (Ch.56)


There is no point trying to get closer to Tao because you are Tao.

You are the fundamental energy.

Tao, Buddha, Love, the higher being.

You can call it whatever you like.

How can you get closer to it if you are the energy!

Don't try to get closer to Tao because it is counterproductive.

If you try to leave your hologram (=the world), the act will make you stuck there.

You must not try to get out.

You just accept it.

That's why we say:

"Do nothing".

Then, you will remember true You are outside the hologram.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞The Japanese used to adore Judo. We still like the sport, but it is a little difficult to imagine that some Japanese companies invest their money in a musical or cinematographic venture about Judo these days. Hibari Misora sang a song with a national sucess: "Yawara", which means Judo. She sang another one "Yawara no Otoko / A man of Yawara". Akira Kurosawa made two films about "Sanshiro Sugata", who is the legendary (but imaginary) character of modern Judo.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-8 One with Dark Depth


Today's Tao

This is called being one with Dark Depth. (Ch.56)


Dark Depth is 玄 [gen] in Japanese ([hsüan] in Chinese).

Originally it meant the color of reddish black which you got after having put together a few layers of colors.

The color symbolizes something deep and inexplicable.

"Dark Depth" is a synonym for Tao.

Therefore, 玄同 [gen dō], being one with Dark Depth, is the same as being one with Tao.

No matter what you are, whether you are dust or an [excrement] scraper, you are Tao.

In this chapter 56, Lao Tzu gives us some tips to remember the fact.

Don't worry and do nothing.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56


Tao answers your question!



☞Now the sport is internationally know as Judo. It was not the case at the beginning of its modern development. Contrary to what most of us imagine, the word "Judo" has a relatively brief history. The magical art of man-to-man combat was first called "Yawara", which means being soft. "Yawara no michi". This is the expression that provokes an unequivocal affection towards the sport among the Japanese. A Japanese Judy Garland, Hibari Misora, sang "Yawara" and an industrious Japanese cartoonist, Naoki Urasawa drew "Yawara", which led a real-life girl to start practicing this "Soft Tao / Judo". Having won a few Olympic medals, the girl is now a stateswoman who occupies a seat in Japan's House of Councilors.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-7 Kanshiketsu / Like dust


Today's Tao

Be like dust. (Ch.56)


Try to be the least important being.

That's the best way to accept the world (=your hologram) as it is.

Don't feed your ego.

Be like dust.

Or, be an [excrement] scraper.


Zen Buddhists say:

"Buddha is a dry [excrement] stick"

(糞かきべら [kuso kaki bera] / 乾屎橛 [kanshiketsu] in Japanese).


It is a piece of wood to clean one's bottom after he has relieved nature.

Buddha is the fundamental energy.

So is Tao.

So is Love.

Therefore, please remember that, in every being, even in the scraper that has cleaned many Asian bottoms, you can find Buddha, Tao, Love, or whatever you call the energy.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56
-In Chapter 4 / Tao's function, you can find the identical sentences: "Dull the sharpness. Untangle the entanglements. Soften the light. Be like dust".


Tao answers your question!



☞After a day's work, you are tired and don't want anything complicated. All you need is a bit of laughter. If so, a Japanese noodle Western movie «Tampopo» is highly recommended. Unlike their Italian counterpart, Macaroni Western, this Japanese noodle Western is not about guns and gangsters, but it is seriously about noodles. Japan enjoys "Three Musketeers" of the Japanese noodles: Soba (buckwheat noodles), Udon (Fat wheat noodles), and Ramen (yellowish Chinese noodles). In the film, some outlaws of the noodle business get together and help a woman create a high-quality noodle dish at her near-out-of-business Ramen joint. It is sort of a modern-day version of «Seven Samurai» a la Juzo Itami, a director who finds humor at unusual places. Good laughter guaranteed. Well, if you are too tired and even a comedy cannot cheer you up, you always have a true Kurosawa film. How about «Red Beard» the great doctor tonight? It will inject you plenty of energy.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-6 Soft light


Today's Tao

Soften the light. (Ch.56)


Don't shine.

Soften your glare.

Do you want to be different, original, or prominent?

This kind of desire is simply an obstacle.

If you are brilliant, it is more difficult to accept that the so-called reality, which includes both your own self and the outside world, is a hologram.

It is a catalyst to stimulate you to emit more Love.

It is not important at all whether you are shining with charisma or not.

You and non-you are the same.

What is the point of shining?

To impress your own self?

You must not be brilliant.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56
-In Chapter 4 / Tao's function, you can find the identical sentences: "Dull the sharpness. Untangle the entanglements. Soften the light. Be like dust".


Tao answers your question!



☞Rakugo 落語 is a one man "stand-up" comedy without standing up, that is to say, a show entirely perfumed while squatting. It is a popular art of story-telling born in the Edo period under the reign of the Tokugawa shoguns. Contradictory as it may sound, it was a 230-year period without a war, starting in 1600, governed by samurai, who were supposed to be warriors. In this pacific period, laughter and lust became the center of the people's attention. The role of the concubines and the court jesters had been democratized. Here came the births of the Geisha and the Rakugo. While the word "Geisha" signifies an artist, the true artists of story-telling are called "Rakugo-ka 落語家", which literally means "a house of the fallen language".

Monday, November 15, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-5 Untangled


Today's Tao

Untangle the entanglement. (Ch.56)


People might think that the entanglements are Mayoi, being lost, and untangling is Satori, the enlightenment.

But where on earth are the entanglements?

There is no entanglements in your life unless you judge it.

Mayoi is Satori.

The entanglements are catalysts that stimulate you to emit more Love.


In Zen Buddhism, they call this 煩悩即菩提 [bonno soku bodai], which means:

"Being lost is justly the spiritual awakening".

(☞See 23-9 Bonno soku bodai)


Our life is perfectly untangled no matter how much it seems otherwise.

If you find it tangled up, I would say:

"Welcome to your spiritual awakening!".


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56
-In Chapter 4 / Tao's function, you can find the identical sentences: "Dull the sharpness. Untangle the entanglements. Soften the light. Be like dust".


Tao answers your question!



☞If he cannot help it, what can he really do about it? He has got an unquenchable desire to follow the woman. For what? Are we allowed to call it love? If the story were not written by a Nobel prize winner, people might feel ashamed of reading this kind of story. Thanks to Yasunari Kawabata, you can read it in the train or a dentist's waiting room with a pride. Well, you are capable of appreciate "art". You can even discuss the subject of the novel with your girlfriend or boyfriend, feeling safe because it is difficult to deny the quality of this creative writing. Following a woman is certainly a Mayoi. But Mayoi is justly Satori. Just accept all. If you need any external help, «The Lake» will surely give you some encouragement. Don't be ashamed. You are perfect.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Tao Te Ching Chapter 56-4 Be dull


Today's Tao

Dull the sharpness. (Ch.56)


You don't have to be sharp.

"Thank you, Master Lao Tzu!"

"What a relief!"

Lao Tzu thinks that being dull is far better than being sharp.

From now on, you don't have to be either sharp, cutting-edge, nor incisive.

When someone calls us dull, let's thank the person.

We do not have to impress others any more although we have a hidden wish to do so.

Every time the desire to be better than others surfaces in our mind, let's ask ourselves:

"Who are others?".

The others are us.

Don't be sharp.

Be dull.


«Related Articles»
-Don't say 56-1
-One who says 56-2
-Block the openings 56-3
-Be dull 56-4
-Untangled 56-5
-Soft light 56-6
-Kanshiketsu / Like dust 56-7
-One with Dark Depth 56-8
-Closer to Tao 56-9
-Staying away? 56-10
-Benefit 56-11
-Harm? 56-12
-Ennoble it? 56-13
-Debase it? 56-14
-Noblest 56-15
-Tao by Matsumoto / Tao Te Ching / Chapter 56
-In Chapter 4 / Tao's function, you can find the identical sentences: "Dull the sharpness. Untangle the entanglements. Soften the light. Be like dust".


Tao answers your question!



Previous video / Ch.56 text / Next video


☞If you know "Tanuki", you will never be fooled by the myth of Japanese efficiency. Ask some of your friends who have studied or worked in Japan. They can tell you some anecdotes that will change your biased idea about the nation's productivity.
Tanuki is often translated as raccoon dogs. I don't know if raccoon dogs in the American continent enjoy the same status concerning their virility and laziness as their Japanese counterpart. Studio Ghibli's «Pom Poko» portrays these aspects precisely and is highly recommended if you are expecting a business meeting with seemingly machine-like colleagues or clients from Far East.
If you are the one who has to fly to the country of the rising sun, the ability to use the word "Tanuki" will save you some rising yens. Tanuki soba buckwheat noodles are one of the cheapest dishes widely available in the land of Sushi, which is not exactly a Japanese equivalent to a hamburger in terms of price. You can order a Tanuki soba at any noodle joint in a major railway station along with a Kitsune, which is the Japanese name of the fox.
Whether you order a Tanuki or a Kitsune, the noodles in the bowl are the same. The difference is the toppings. While you get a piece of Abura-age (fried Tofu) marinated with slightly sweetened soy sauce when you ask for a Kitsune, you get a heap of crispy bits of fried flour-dough if you cry "Tanuki" at the bar. Surely, you have a choice between soba and udon, which is a Japanese answer to fettucini, although most Japanese believe that the combinations of Tanuki-soba and Kitsune-udon are better than otherwise.
Thanks to Maruchan Corp., now you can enjoy Tanuki soba outside Japan. «Midori no Tanuki 緑のたぬき / Green Tanuki» is as highly recommended as the film «Pom Poko». It tastes surprisingly good, considering that it is just 3-minute instant noodles.