Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it. – Confucius
I was absolutely transfixed by these trees. What life! They held a personality all of their own. How could anyone witness such beauty and deny the existence of a higher being that left it here for us to behold ♥
Furthermore, how would it be possible to be aware of its preciousness and blindly destroy it. Nature demands respect. Man has been in tune with the natural elements for most of the past and yet with the demand for corporation and profit, so much of it has been lost. I believe that most of the answers we seek in the present day can be found quite simply in the past; in nature. So often, that which we desire most is right in front of us – we only have to open our eyes to SEE its beauty and its perfection. In seeing the beauty, the desire to live in harmony is nurtured and respect becomes a natural development. The Life of the Tree is here to teach us.
November 18th,2011
Nature |
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“Without truth I know not how man can live. A cart without a crosspole, a carriage without a harness, how could they be moved?” – Confucius
I know not either, and yet if often seems to be more of a feature than a requisite ingredient. Why is this? What are we so afraid of? What are we so afraid of showing in ourselves? What is the driving force that propels us to be afraid of truth? I believe it to be rejection – there is nothing more painful to the spirit than to be founding wanting in some way or another.
What an excellent reminder of why the internal martial arts are exactly that: INTERNAL There is no competition, and hence should be no ego. I’ve had brief moments of competition, and had to knock them firmly into place – against either the imagined adversary or, more occasionally, against myself. There is far too much existing in life already that is a competition – why are human beings so eager to add fuel to the competitor pile? Such silly creatures we sometimes often are! I gave up serious competition when I quit music lessons at the age of 14 or 15; I don’t even take speech competition seriously… there is SO much more than (even friendly) combat.
“Ability will never catch up with the demand for it.” – Confucius
There are no words to describe the TRUTH in that statement made by Confucius. On a completely personal note, it is both what I strive for and my very downfall. I constantly strive for improvements in my physical ability, and yet my demand on myself is always greater than that which I can physically produce. DEMAND. This is really the operative word. I demand things of myself and then shroud myself in disappointment when I don’t live up to the “requirements” which I have outlined. Why do we do this to ourselves?
I am utterly convinced that I am one of those people that has to learn the hard way. Instead of being grateful for that which I CAN do, I berate myself unceasingly for that which is beyond my reach and ability. I am my own worst enemy in this regard. Perhaps I need to spend more time reflecting on the words of masters than have come before me? As a student of history, reminding myself of its purpose and place would certainly be beneficial.
“Neglect of what is good in me; want of thoroughness in study; failure to do the right when told me; lack of strength to overcome faults, these are my sorrows.” – Confucius
