There are few distinct, pivotal moments of my life, aligning with the cultural narrative: turning 18, going to college, turning 21, starting a career, traveling abroad, etc. But the most special to me falls well outside of any normal societal milestones. The most special to me is the moment of becoming in my body.
Drawing rays of relation from natural facts about Giant Sequoia trees to myself, to society as a whole, and to Taoism. Being reminded that only from stillness and emptiness does the fullness of change emerge. Being is born of non-being.
Clearing up “spirituality” and the terminology surrounding it, including meditation, mindfulness, mysticism, and enlightenment, mostly with help from Shinzen Young’s book The Science of Enlightenment.
Without going outside, you may know the whole world.
Without looking through the window, you may see the ways of heaven.
The farther you go, the less you know.
A man is born gentle and weak.
At his death he is hard and stiff.
Green plants are tender and filled with sap.
At their death they are withered and dry.
Master Dongguo asked Zhuangzi, “This thing called the Way—where does it exist?”
Zhuangzi, said, “There’s no place it doesn’t exist.”
“Come,” said Master Dongguo, “you must be more specific!”
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.