Lao Tzu quotes

22 posts

jump

Jump the Gun but Why Try to Run from Now?

Jump the gun is an idiom and probably known worldwide. Originally, known as beat the gun in track and field competitions. This quote has a spiritual significance for us to consider. The now is constant. It may be the only true constant in the universe. This moment is an expression of presence. Now is Undeniable. So how does the idiom help us to understand the isness of now?

jump

This is the internet definition for Jump the Gun.

informal:
Act before the proper time.

Synonyms: act prematurely, act too soon, be too/overly hasty, be precipitate, be rash

informal:
Be ahead of oneself.

Here we see the usefulness of this phrase in conscious awakening. The two explanations of Jump the Gun offer an open passage to our relationship with the now. This is a sign post that points toward enlightenment. What is enlightenment? We can say that enlightenment is awareness that offers change. Lao Tzu shares the following insight about awareness. Continue reading

way

Life Is the Way so Please Don’t Stray

Things happen each day and thereby we often ask why?
There is no plan engraved in stone.
Who is to really say what may come and go our way?
No screenplay of life is to be read and rehearsed.
To live life is the way.

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There are things that cause happiness or dismay.
To these we can really only say, what may come will be.
Then there are experiences that confuse and cause fear.
Continue reading

straightforward

Straightforward Is the Way to Experience Life

The essence of this moment is your true self. We can simplify this by saying the now reflects you. Please understand that this doesn’t suggest that you should reflect the details of any given experience. Rather, you are ultimately the vessel that holds the totality within it. A person must truthfully observe this moment. Otherwise, you overlook the simplicity of living. We can incorporate the word straightforward into a daily mantra. Practice this affirmation in any situation. Say to yourself. I choose to observe this moment in a straightforward manner. Experiencing the now truthfully will reflect this energy out into the universe and back to you.

straightforward

The now of life is constant and holds the totality within it. We become genuinely empathic to the world around us as we become more and more aware of conscious living. This allows universal consciousness and thus universal life intelligence to expand and pulsate intensively as the unmanifested becomes the manifested universe. We experience this, and when the level of our awareness becomes more awakened, we will continually release higher and higher levels of object consciousness back into the totality.

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storybook

Storybook Experiences of the Mind

Stories, stories, and more stories. Everyone loves a good story. We (mind) love to tell a good story. Furthermore, the stories we tell are part of our own personal storybook. The stories are a combination of every person’s experiences. A conditioned mind orchestrates these experiences according to its own design.

storybook

There would normally be no story or storybook if we were able to live in the moment. Likewise, anything other than the isness of now is a story. We create the paragraphs, the chapters, and the book itself. It is a book of fiction. But, the mind insists it’s real. Alas, it seems very tangible. However, most of what the mind tells us is not what has or what will happen. Nothing in this storybook is as it seems unless we decide that it has or will happen.

You may ask, Steve, what are you saying? I am not responsible for the people, situations or experiences that take place in each moment. It is true that any individual cannot truly change the behavior of a person. Nor, the details of a situation. However, it is possible for each person to change his or her point of perspective in each moment. It is very difficult for the mind to accept that nothing and everything is happening each second. Still, the key is in realizing that it is each person’s conscious awareness that determines the outcome of an experience. Continue reading

How to Use the Library Card Catalog of the Mind

There are many consciously awakening people that wish to stop thinking. The desire is to reduce the number of thoughts in the mind. Thus, allowing space. This space nurtures conscious awareness. Meditation is becoming more and more popular for this very reason. Still, the mind is similar to a Library card catalog.

library

Thus, the mind can cause frustration for individuals during the conscious awakening process. This is because everyone uses the mind in attempts to create a state of non-thinking. We can logically conclude that this is impossible. Using the mind to reach a state of non-thinking is similar to what Albert Einstein once said about problem solving. We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.

But, we can practice going beyond the mind. Does this sound absurd? So, what does this actually imply? The mind always processes information. Countless thought impulses demand our attention each moment. Must we listen? Should we jump when the mind tells us? No, of course not. But this unconscious state is still how the majority of people live life. So, how can we make thoughts stop? We cannot. This is impossible. Therefore, why don’t we simply acknowledge and accept the mind’s activities. This is, with practice, easier than it sounds. The mind’s library card catalog lists everything we experience. The mind readily gives us one or more index cards in the form of thoughts or emotions. But, presence, more so, experiencing presence doesn’t require the mind. (I realize that the mind is now telling you that I am naïve, crazy or both.) Continue reading

sanctuary

Sanctuary of Life: Enjoy Your Stay

Are you aware of something blissfully mysterious that seems to be beyond mind and body? But, does the mind still interrupt this deeper awareness with its frantic thoughts and searching behavior? Well, look no further because you are dwelling within the flow of life. Furthermore, this realization will synchronize mind, body, object and universal consciousness. Just let it happen if you are ready and willing. Realize deeply that there is a sanctuary within you.

sanctuary

A sanctuary is a retreat or safe haven. Isn’t this what the mind is compelling us to find each day? It wants us to run and hide in an oasis where everything will be just like we dream about. The minds intentions are honorable. However, listening to these thoughts will only add discontentment and suffering to our daily experiences.

The mind does not have the capacity to grasp that it cannot help us to live consciously. Furthermore, it tells us that everlasting peace and harmony are not truly possible. And yet, the mind tells us to keep searching. But, these thought patterns keep us confined within the mind. Nevertheless, we do experience clarity and enlightenment. Although, for most people, this conscious state of being seems transitory. Therefore, it is wise not to adhere to the mind’s thoughts. Focusing on these thoughts will only cause anxiety and confusion. Of course, the mind will continue to ask questions. But, we do not need to take these questions too seriously. Rather, we can focus on the experience  of presence, life, and enlightenment without mind details.

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The Footpath of Least Resistance

A pathway can reveal clarity or confusing. What is the deciding element during the journey? You, because you are the way. The Way is not the path itself. Nor, is it you as the person. Instead, it is how you travel this trail. The way is permanence. And, you take one step and then the next. But, will each step be unconsciously or consciously taken?  A footpath commonly indicates a simpler means of travel. Then why does the way often seem so complex? Remember, you are the way. Therefore, you cause the complications. The path is simply a path.

footpath

Thus, the footpath is helpful during conscious awakening. Whereas, the way is unavoidable. However, it can be a transition that will change everything. This depends on how you experience it. Laozi (Lao Tzu) shared profound wisdom in his insight about The Way. His teachings offer us the experience of simplicity as we travel on the path. He does not share details about what we encounter. But, he does suggest living consciously along the way. Continue reading

Does It Hurt? The Mind Says Yes

Please read the next sentence and then pause before you continue. Would it be accurate to say that we often hurt because of circumstances, people, and things? No, this is not true. The concept of suffering is an implanted genetic and conditioned factor. But, how often do we really hurt? The mind complains about one thing or another. And, something it is literally disagreeable about everything. This is regardless if it is mental or physical. Unfortunately, we (unconsciousness) also complain when the mind disapproves of something.

hurt

But, this is only due to conditioned behavior. It is possible to awaken. You are resting outside on the patio. The neighbor starts to mow the grass. Oh no, the mind screams. What does the neighbor have against me? The lawn mower is getting on my nerves. There is frustration and often initiates suffering. Does this situation really cause hurt? No, of course not. The mind, on the contrary, will say yes. And, a person is usually more than willing to believe these thoughts. Continue reading

acceptance

Acceptance Is the Way to Harmony and Balance

Acceptance is difficult for most people. Furthermore, it seems we receive or achieve something that we had wanted and then we don’t want it anymore. Mind madness is perhaps the best way to describe our actions. This is the mind and the complex behavior that is mostly a result of conditioning. This conditioning keeps us from allowing life energy, in whatever form, to manifest. Oh, everything will unfold. It happens. But, we express resistance to countless thoughts and things each day. But, life manifestation has nothing to do with personal or collective gain or loss. It is about harmony and balance in our being.

acceptance

Moreover, you have the potential to rise above the cloud of mind confusions and illusions. There is a space of uncontaminated, fundamental energy always available. The mind is a marvelous human attribute and basically only needs a reset. This is because it has become entangled in its own web of thoughts, feelings and ego. Acceptance is an acquired state of being. Still, allowing and letting go will change everything. It will be incredible to observe that the only thing that really changes is how you observe yourself. Continue reading

pursuit

Pursuit of Purpose Without Having a Purpose

We are familiar with the pursuit of purpose. This relentless quest for existential validation begins in childhood. Furthermore, needing a purpose has become our prime directive in living. However, what if we are wrong? What if there is ultimately no purpose for your existence? Oh no! What will you do without a purpose and what will you be?

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“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.” – Lao Tzu

This simple wisdom is very accurate. Nevertheless, the mind usually wants to ignore or deny this truth. You do not need to think to live. Thinking is a by-product of living. Presence does not require thinking. But, this frightens the mind. What would you be without a reason for being? Well, you “are” with or without a purpose for being. Continue reading