December 2008

Commentary

Also, water is somewhat like the way in that it excels in taking the lower position. Given our hierarchical biology (nature), the lower position is also a place the multitude loathe to dwell. That is, unless everyone is down there to keep us company.

Why do we so easily become ungrounded and complicate the simple? Personally, it always comes down to biting off more than I can chew.  Just spiting ‘it’ out works well, it is just bringing myself to spit ‘it’ out that’s difficult. Of course, that’s alright for even the sage treats some things as difficult. If that’s true of the sage, then that certainly lets everyone off the hook, yes?

Now for a look at those rules of thumb below.

• In being, good is earth: I could also read that as ‘being grounded is good’. The foundation is most important. If that is wobbly everything built upon it inherits that instability. That is why I finally had to examine the words with which I think (see correlations). Of course now everything is wobbly

• In intention, good is depth and benevolence: Xin (心), the actual Chinese word here, translates as mind, emotion, feeling, intention, core, etc. I wonder if we don’t tend to put much more stock in ‘thinking’ than ‘feeling’? As I see it, it is the ‘feelings’ at our core that directs and drives our ‘thinking’. Benevolent emotions results in benevolent thoughts and actions. Disturbed emotions result in disturbed thoughts and actions. Who determines the emotions we feel? Personally, I’ve never decided to feel a particular emotion, emotions well up from deep inside and visit my awareness. Although, I do have a hand in fanning or dampening those flames.

• In speech, good is truth: I know (viscerally) that truth works best. I reckon it is the promise of  short term gain that pushes us to bend the truth. In the end, the unintended consequences of that are long term loss. That’s a by-path as I see it. I much prefer the other way: short term loss, with the ‘unintended consequence’ of long term gain. Now that’s a buy low – sell high strategy that works!

• In honesty, good is order: Be honest up to the point where order is impaired. Then be silent. The Japanese are very skilled in this, which often drives Westerns nuts. As for me, I’ve found this advice exceptionally useful.

• In work, good is ability: As my mother always said, “I don’t care what you do, just do it well”. And ability comes from paying as close attention to the work I’m doing at the moment. That ties right in with this last point.

• In action, good is present: Being present, moment to moment makes all action sacred action. The Bhagavad Gita refers to this as ‘consecrated action’. It is the core principle in yoga. ‘Yoking’ one’s attention (presence of mind, watchfulness, mindfulness, etc.) to the task at hand. Personally, this is the holy grail of consciousness. Talk about biting off more than I can chew!

Translation

Highest good is like water.
Water benefits all things and doesn’t contend,
Dwells in places the multitude loathe.
Therefore it is somewhat like the way.
In being, good is earth,
In intention, good is depth and benevolence,
In speech, good is truth,
In honesty, good is order,
In work, good is ability,
In action, good is present,
He alone doesn’t contend,
Hence there is no blame.

upper (up; higher; better; first) good (satisfactory; succeed) like (seem; as if) water (river; lakes, seas).

water (river; lakes, seas) good ( satisfactory; succeed) sharp (advantage) all things on earth but (and, yet) not contend (argue),

get along (manage <formal> dwell; live) many people of place loathe (dislike; hate),

cause (hence; therefore ) several (some) at (in) road (way, principle, talk, think).

reside (dwell; live) good ( satisfactory;  succeed) the earth (land; ground; place; locality),

heart (mind; feeling; intention; core) good (satisfactory; succeed) deep and benevolence (kindheartedness),

speech (word; say; talk; speak) good ( satisfactory;  succeed) true (trust; faith; believe),

straight (upright; honest) good (satisfactory; succeed) rule (govern;  manage; order; peace; control),

matter (affair; business; trouble; work; responsibility) good ( satisfactory; succeed) ability (capability; skill),

move (stir; act; change; arouse) good ( satisfactory;  succeed) time (hour; current; present).

husband (man; <old> a person engaged in manual labor) only (alone) not contend (vie; strive; argue; dispute),

cause (hence; therefore ) nothing (nil; not have; without) outstanding (particularly; especially; blame).

Original

上善若水。
水善利万物而不争，
处众人之所恶，
故几于道。
居善地，
心善渊与善仁，
言善信，
正善治，
事善能，
动善时。
夫唯不争，
故无尤。