Introduction
The following correspondence is a classic example of conflict-resolution
and achieving unity through acknowledging and respecting synergistic
differences.
I list first the most recent post (4) of the correspondence exchange as it
presents the resolution. Then I list the first post (1) by Trish which
began the exchange, followed by (2) my critical response to what she
presented, followed by (3) her critical response to me, which led to (4) the
resolution.
4. To the Pure all
Things are Pure
I find our exchange here very interesting, Trish.
In reading your response, I am convinced that you indeed found good in the
Tao. This illustrates a point that J.J. was hitting at in another post, namely
that "to the pure, all things are pure."
Let's say, for argument's sake, that I am correct in discerning that the
Tao Te Ching was written by the inspiration of beings who are not loyal to God
but to his/her adversary -- with the explicit intent to deceive and lead
astray.
Because of the space of purity that you have arrived at, you were able to
take this teaching and through the filters of your purity were able to
interpret things in a way that became a blessing to you.
Another thing it illustrates is that in this vast world with its vast array
of personalities, God has engineered things such that those who seek truth --
whatever background they may have -- will find it. He provides a way to teach
his truth to the analytical mind, and he provides means to reach those who
tend to be more intuitive.
In the end, all things come together into one great whole, as those who
seek truth unite together into a oneness -- not that their individuality is
forgotten, but rather it takes shape in the greater wholeness which utilizes
the strengths and attributes of that individual to facilitate that portion of
its wholeness.
Your gift of seeing things through child-like innocence and perceiving the
truth is accentuated by my gift of being able to find verifications from the
scriptures. You are not better than me, nor I better than you, but we both
unite to create a new entity that is better than either of us alone.
This, I think, is what J.J. Dewey is teaching in his book, "Molecular
Relationships" (which I am still in the early phases of reading).
Another gift/burden that I have is one of watching, as the Savior
admonished, lest the enemy take us unawares. I value that teaching
highly and thus am not willing to throw caution to the wind by believing as
true whatever comes along. Hence I discern things when I encounter them
to see if they are something I want to embrace or not -- to be on alert
for deceptions. That discernment requires heart, mind and soul, the
trinity of personal guidance, seeking union with the heart, mind and soul of
God.
As for finding a group where you mind have a greater affinity, I would like
to encourage you to consider participating in J.J.'s "keys of
knowledge" list. There is a link with instructions of how to join that
list at
http://www.greaterthings.com/JJDewey
With your gift of purity, I would guess that you will find yourself very
much at home there.
Sincerely your friend (and neighbor of a few blocks),
Sterling
p.s. May I have permission to forward this exchange to the Keys of
Knowledge list? I think they will find it to be of great interest. I would
also like to post it to my web site. Okay?
1. Trish'
Invite to Read Tao Te Ching
Sterling and friends,
I have just joined this list and have not read or received any e-mails as
yet. I therefore do not know where the conversations on this group have been
going. So if I am jumping off topic please forgive.
I myself have been very interested in finding common ground between East
and West philosophies. I have as of late found very profound teachings in the
Tao Te Ching. They seem to flow quite nicely with my beliefs in God.
I did a search on the web and found 17 different translations of the Tao. I
found that many of them took the simple message of the Tao and mixed it with
their own wordy interpretations of what they read, very often loosing the
plain and simple message.
I did find one translation that I identified with greatly. It is very
simple and easy to understand. The interpreter is Stephen Mitchell. His
translation can be found at http://rhino.harvard.edu/elwin/pJoy/taoteching.html
I hope all of you find this message as sweet and beautiful as I have.
May we all be filled with light and love.
My love to you all,
Trish
2. Sterling on the
Darkness of Tao
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2000 8:08 PM
Subject: Re: [E/W] Tao Te Ching
Hi Trish.
Welcome to the East-West list.
I went to the Tao site you mentioned and immediately came upon things that
did not set well with me.
In the very first screen of that poem-arranged document comes the
statement:
"Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This
source is called darkness."
The source is darkness? That seems very weird to me. Why not light?
It continues, "Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all
understanding."
Darkness is the gateway to all understanding?
In the second set is the statement,
"Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without
saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she
lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her
work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever."
That seems like an awfully cowardly approach to truth. Believe nothing,
hold to nothing, and you have nothing to loose.
In the third set is the statement, "The Master leads by emptying
people's minds and filling their cores, by weakening their ambition and
toughening their resolve. He helps people lose everything they know,
everything they desire, and creates confusion in those who think that they
know."
That seems to describe Satan, not Christ.
"Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place."
Yea, sit in the couch all day long and you will not make any mistakes.
That's great doctrine. NOT.
Sorry, Trish, I'm having a hard time seeing this as something I want to
spend my time reading.
What's your take?
Sterling
3. Trish'
Response -- The Good in Tao
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2000 5:38 AM
Subject: Re: [E/W] Tao Te Ching
Sterling,
I have to admit that when I first read some of the Tao I felt just as you
did. The word darkness through me just as it did you, so I let it go and moved
on to the second verse where I found that in describing the master the Tao
teaches me to become as a little child.
"acts without doing anything"
It did not say do not take a course of action. To me it simply said, in
taking a course of action, don't analyze and complicate everything but act
purely by the spirit.
"teaches without saying anything"
In teaching, spend most of your time listening, and gently guide the student
in a loving way.
"Things arise and she lets them come"
When lessons come at you, do not fear them, openly embrace what is at your
door and pay close attention. You may learn something even if at first glance
it seems strange or hard.
"things disappear and she lets them go"
When the lesson is learned or you have lost something, be grateful for the
experience and let it go. Dwelling in the past and expending energy in "I
should have," or "I could have's", leaves very little time to
be present with where you are and open to the lessons of the day.
"She has but does not possess"
Have things, but realize that ALL things really belong to God, withholding
what we have from those that are in need is shameful. Have faith, give all you
possess and it will be returned to you ten fold. The widow's mite, the parable
of the talents. Can we not liken both of these to temporal things.
"acts but does not expect"
Serve others, follow the spirit, look for ways to uplift those around you, get
out and help your neighbor move, help the elderly, teach children how to read,
spread light and life and love in everything you do and do all these things
without seeking a reward. God is in charge of the rewards and you must have
faith that He sees your good deeds and will impart to you the blessings He
sees fit to impart. His rewards are far greater than the praise of men.
"When her work is done, she forgets it That is why it lasts
forever."
When you have done all that you can do, let it go. Do not seek the praise of
man. Your deeds are written in the book of life and there remain eternal.
Sterling, I am disappointed that you took such a shallow look at the Tao. I
guess I expected a little more from you. It just goes to show me that
expectations are usually never met.
You seemed to look at the Tao from your Christian upbringing and
vocabulary. It was as if you were trying to force a round peg into a square
hole. Here is where letting go of what you think you know is very important.
Become as
teachable as a little child and look at things with the innocence of a child.
Trust that everything, even those things that seem dark and foreign at first,
has light. Look for the light in all things and you will more often than not
find it.
You seek to see where the East and the West come together on common ground,
well you might have to learn to look at things from a completely different
angle to really get the picture. I have seen you do here what you seem to do
often, which is try and force everyone to prove what they say by using the
scriptures, and when they do not sufficiently prove their point of view you
discount what they have said. May I suggest that you set aside things being
proven and develop a, "believe all things" attitude. Many wonderful
pieces of information that I have seen on your lists seem to have been lost
because they were not backed up by a sufficient amounts of proof. We are not
all as well versed in the scriptures as you, and I for one will probably never
back up what I say with the scriptures. A truly teachable person will rely on
the spirit for conformation rather than seeking proof. I would love to see
what your talk lists would be like if everyone was confident enough in what
they think to never feel the need to prove it. E-mails would be short and
concise, not long like this one, and an exchange of learning from all members
would come much faster.
My hope is that someday I will find a chat group where everyone believes
that the other people on the list are capable enough to understand what is
being said without ramming proof down their throats. I believe that the light
of Christ rests in every individual and I trust that what I say or believe can
stand on it's own merits. It is only my belief. Disagree with me if you want.
State your point and let's talk back and forth until we come to common ground.
That is wonderful. Just don't ram scriptures at me to prove what I believe is
wrong. I trust that all of you, if you stop seeking signs, or proof, have the
ability to discern and see the light in all things.
May we all see the good in what we read and focus in the area where we
"Believe ALL things".
My love to you all,
Trish
Feedback
Sent: Saturday, February 12, 2000 2:06 PM
Subject: [keys-l] [Sterling] Tao Te Ching
Fling
Hello Sterling ..
(and yes, I got your request and its OK for you to re-post any of my stuff)
On the Subject of the Tao, there is a little book that jumped off a shelf and
hit me over the head some time ago which, if you can get it, you and your
friend may benefit from reading.
In it the author draws parallels between the Tao and the Christian Bible ..
using discussion and scriptural references ...
seeing them very closely related in metaphor ...
"The
Guiding Light of Lao Tzu"
is written by Henry Wei ...
and the copy I have is a Quest book, (1982)
(Theosophical Publishing House)
ISBN 0-8356-9562-0
and 08356-0558-2 (pbk) [purchase
on-line]
May I respectfully suggest there is benefit in both the parallels and the
insights to be gained....
Christopher Wynter
See also:
