Enlightenment may be more illusion than real. Not that it isn’t ‘real’, mind you. After all just as Something and Nothing produce each other, so do ignorance and enlightenment. So, what does enlightenment correlate to anyway, ‘Something’ or ‘Nothing’?
First, look at this CBS video clip of an American family (after a moment of advertising). Take note of the final comments, i.e., “Giving your kids what they need is always harder than giving them what they want. Only when your older can you appreciate those fences“. Decide whether this story shows the American family way ‘evolved’, or just the opposite. If you approve of this approach to family and child rearing, I predict you will have difficulty understanding, let alone appreciating, another family way. Even so, I’ll make the case.
I’ve been accused now and then of being a sage in so many words, and otherwise. Granted, I am ‘lao tzu’ (老子 – father, old man), but a sage? As they say, he who points one finger of accusation has four other fingers pointing back at him. As I see it, whatever we see ‘out there’ is nothing other than a reflection of what is ‘in here’. We only see what we want to see; we only understand what we already know. In this case we can say, it takes a sage to know a sage. Now while that may be flattering idea at first glance, further pondering shatters that. For example, I am sure those who followed Hitler thought him a sage (although not in so many words). Continue reading ‘Who’s a Sage?’
It is widely accepted that each of us is born with a ‘God given gift’, a talent of some sort. However, what may be less known is that such talent is not actually a gift at all – it is paid for in full at birth. I’ve come to know a few people extremely well, including my family. Each person, as far as I’ve seen bears this out. I admit this is not much of an empirical sampling. On the other hand, it makes good philosophical sense. Continue reading ‘The Gifts Given – Paid In Full’
Kiwi is king of all the fruits. Over the years I’ve compared all the fruits with each other and the kiwi always comes out supreme. Even so, fruit has no where near the overall nutritional value of veggies. Mostly, I see fruit as a healthy candy. Although, it’s true that each variety usually wins high honors in a few nutrient categories. The amazing thing about kiwi is how it even surpasses many a veggie on this score(1).
I am blowing shakuhachi at the beach. Don’t try this on your beach in the beginning for it will likely feel pretty discouraging (in fact, playing outside was a pain for quite awhile, personally). Rather, pick a good echoing space like your bathroom. Look in the mirror to get a clear sense of your lip position.
Jesus said ‘man shall not live by bread alone’. Still, as this blog chews mostly on ‘non bread’ matters, I thought I’d put in a good word for food today…
I just harvested my first bed of kale recently. As far as I know, this is the most nutritious vegi on the planet. Of course, kale just boiled and served can soon get old. Chinese stir fry is better. I’m experimenting with ways to eat more of it between meals as a snack. Chopped up with added spices (chili, soy, tahini, lemon, garlec) and semi dried works well. So well in fact I’ll plant even more this month and next.
Examine the nutrient chart below to see just how perfect kale is. RDA is the USDA’s ‘recommended daily amount’. If you only ate kale, you’d have to eat 8 pounds of it to give you the 2000 calories you need daily. But just look at the incredible surplus of essential minerals and vitamins you’d get. Even if you only ate a fraction of that 8lbs. you’d doing far better nutrition wise than before.Continue reading ‘In praise of kale’
That differs among people! For me, it is about perception.
That deeply affects the life we live. Accordingly, CenterTao focuses on the how, what, and why we think what we think.
(See: The Why and What of Taoist Thought)
Speaking of thinking, the Tao Te Ching cautions us that: "One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know."Read more…
Enlightenment may be more illusion than real. Not that it isn’t ‘real’, mind you. After all just as Something and Nothing produce each other, so do ignorance and enlightenment. So, what does enlightenment correlate to anyway, ‘Something’ or ‘Nothing’?
Recent Comments by Post