Choice by Choice, Consider All Pathways
It is easier to carry an empty cup.
Then one that is filled to the brim.
The sharper the knife.
The easier it is to dull.
The more wealth you possess.
The harder it is to protect.
Pride brings its own trouble.
When you have accomplished your goal.
Simply walk away.
This is the pathway to Heaven.
Chapter 9 | Tao Te Ching by Laozi
What is fate? What is destiny?
It seems especially important to understand fate and destiny since a person’s circumstances can be greatly impacted for the good or for the bad by the roll of the dice of either one.
But do we even have a choice? Can we stack the decks of fate and destiny so we get more paradise and less hell in life? Is this even possible?
Laozi believes it is and chapter 9 shows us further how to drum out our personal destiny day by day by being conscious of the choices we make and actions we take that are determined in a large part by how much we consider. Laozi suggests considering all pathways of action, especially possible opposite actions.
A deeper dive into Chapter 9 by Laozi is provided by DAN CASAS-MURRAY in his podcast-blog: The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living
It is better to leave a vessel unfilled, than to attempt to carry it when it is full. If you keep feeling a point that has been sharpened, the point cannot long preserve its sharpness.
When gold and jade fill the hall, their possessor cannot keep them safe. When wealth and honors lead to arrogance, this brings its evil on itself. When the work is done, and one's name is becoming distinguished, to withdraw into obscurity is the way of Heaven.
Taking things too far: Lao Tzu is wonderfully clear in this verse - it’s easy to understand that a knife that’s been sharpened too much loses its edge. Or that a vessel that is at capacity is overflowing.
So why is it so hard for me to see that I already have enough? Why do I need to keep getting more and more to feel accomplished in life?
I don’t know about you, but there have been times when I’ve felt that it’s never enough - and I’ve actually thought, “yeah, I like this - this means I’m driven! Let me keep this feeling and I’ll always be achieving!” -- To read more, see The Tao Te Ching for Everyday Living
Feature Archetypal Animation
Blending Modern Images and Music With Ancient Wisdom
Tea Cup Drink Dishes Hot Porcelain Household | Nile | Deutschland • Member since Nov. 21, 2014
Kitchenknife Sharp To Cut Knife Blade | Silberfuchs | Walter Bichler • Austria • Member since July 26, 2011
Tax Consultant Files Pile Of Files Country Office | Alexas_Fotos | Alexa • Steh über den Dingen/und finde DEINEN Weg • Member since Jan. 6, 2015
Self Love Man Mirrors Archetypes Awareness | geralt | Gerd Altmann • Freiburg/Deutschland • Member since Sept. 15, 2012 • #37
Creation Adam God Man Bible Human Painting Eden | kadumago | Kadumago artista conceitual Kadumago • Rio de Janeiro/Brasil • Member since Aug. 21, 2018
Footprint Beach Sand Summer | StockSnap | English • Member since March 30, 2015
Eye Creative Galaxy Collage Flowers Paint | DanielHannah | Daniel Hannah • Age 30 • Melbourne/Australia • Member since Feb. 16, 2018
Drums of Destiny: Moving Energy by Alis Aquilae | Drums of Destiny: Moving Energy 7:08
First Archetypal Animation
Painting: Fate, by Alphonse Mucha from Wiki Destiny
Statue Facial Fate Broken Gemini | szjeno09190 | Jenő Szabó • Age 66 • Pécs/Magyarország • Member since Jan. 14, 2015
Fantasy Composing Gruesome Reaper Tombstone Scary | LMoonlight | It is not permitted to sell my photos with StockAgencies • MoonlightsArt.de/Germany • Member since April 27, 2014
Image: Les Misérables — 2012
Image: Polarization Opposition Conflict Judgment Duality | johnhain | John Hain • Age 73 • Carmel/United States • Member since July 24, 2014
Image: Question Unknown Unfamiliar Forgotten | johnhain | John Hain • Age 73 • Carmel/United States • Member since July 24, 2014
Music: Caddyshack — Various Artists | [1] I’m Alright – Theme from “Caddyshack” 3:47