Healing philosophy: Why did the stream dry up?

The greatest wealth is health. Virgil

Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship. Buddha

Health is the vital principle of bliss, and exercise, of health. James Thomson

When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied. Herophilus

Every day you do one of two things: build health or produce disease in yourself. Adelle Davis

Though the soul be not caused by the body; yet in the general it follows the temperament of it. Owen Feltham

Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God, and value it next to a good conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of; a blessing that money cannot buy. Izaak Walton

Health and intellect are the two blessings of life. Menander

The Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu
'Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realise there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you'
I Ching or Book of Changes, Wilhelm/Baynes
'Penetrating reflection must not be pushed too far, lest it cripple the power of decision. After a matter has been thoroughly pondered, it is essential to form a decision and to act'

Back to beginnings, Huanchu Daoren
'When fate slights me in terms of prosperity, I respond by enriching my virtue. When fate belabours me physically, I make up for it by making my mind free'

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Saturday, May 3, 2008

Why did the stream dry up?

I came across the following poem by Rabindranath Tagore in that excellent French language edition of the Tao Te Ching, Tao Te King, Le livre du Tao et de sa vertu (Éditions Dervy, Paris). In the explanatory notes, the translator quotes the poem as a parallel example of the Taoist virtue of 'non-desire' in another philosphic tradition.
The poem moved me greatly when I read it. How true it is that we often ruin a relationship, a project, a situation, by smothering it with our selfish desires instead of allowing it to unfold naturally.
Here is my own English translation of the beautiful French version of the Bengali poem found in this book.

Why did the lamp go out? I covered it with my cloak to shelter it from the wind… That is why the lamp went out.
Why did the flower fade? I pressed it against my heart full of love and anxiety… That is why the flower faded.
Why did the stream dry up? I put a dam across it to keep the water for my use alone… That is why the stream dried up.
Why did the harp-string break? I wanted it to play a note that it could not attain… That is why the harp-string broke. Rabindranath Tagore 1861-1941

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The finest emotion of which we are capable is the mystic emotion. Herein lies the germ of all art and all true science. Anyone to whom this feeling is alien, who is no longer capable of wonderment and lives in a state of fear, is a dead man. To know that what is impenetrable for us really exists and manifests itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty, whose gross forms alone are intelligible to our poor faculties - this knowledge, this feeling ... that is the core of the true religious sentiment. In this sense, and in this sense alone, I rank myself among profoundly religious men.
Albert Einstein

The raging storm in the financial world and thereby in my personal financial world has preoccupied me lately. Rather than rising above such mundane, material considerations like a spiritual albatross, I have been plunging my head into every huge frothing wave and surfacing now and then in a sea of emotional turmoil. All of which has been very revealing, as you may imagine. I find that, having lacked the foresight to avoid the market crash, I have at least had the courage not to panic and sell. However, I have not had much patient fortitude while being courageous; I am ashamed to say that I have had many an angry feeling unworthy of the author of a blog on healing philosophy. Then again, as I have said in the past, the only reason I know something about philosophy is because I need it. Especially now.
Learning from mistakes is a large part of wisdom. Being prepared is another. I have promised myself not to make the same mistake of being unprepared for the next financial storm. But the major part of my preparation will continue to be improving my mind, and for this all storms are one.

If you would like to join me on this philosophical voyage, put your X on the line and join the ship’s crew below.

When going through Hell, go straight through. Churchill

If the world has not been made for you, be happy in the thought that you have been made for the world. You are an important page in the book of life. Without you, the book would have been incomplete. Spinoza

I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavour. If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavours to live the life he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours. Thoreau

More from my dad’s old notebook

We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

He is able who thinks he is able.

It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.

It is better to travel well than to arrive.

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.

Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.

More…

More? Click image.

Here are my favourite quotations from one of my dad's old notebooks. There is a freshness about some of them, even though they are old. Others have an ancient ring, but could have been written yesterday. Can you imagine what my dad is like?

They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.
A man's best possession is a sympathetic wife.
Attitudes are more important than facts.
A peaceful mind generates power.
Behaviour is a mirror in which everyone shows his image.
Ask nothing, expect nothing, accept everything.
When gods were more human, men were more divine.
For tragedy forges the will into a mighty instrument of power.
Cynicism is the weapon of the wounded.
You cannot win Heaven if you betray earth.
He who offends against Heaven has none to whom he can pray.
To do injustice is more disgraceful than to suffer it.
Good manners cost nothing but add enormously to the quality of everyday living.
How sad that being well-mannered is often regarded these days as a weakness.
Intellect is invisible to the one who has none.
The trouble with being tolerant is that people think you don't understand the problem.
Forgive seventy times seven.
Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation. You do not find it among gross people.
Waste no tears over the griefs of yesterday.
No one can be called unhappy if he acts in accordance with virtue.
When you are good to others you are best to yourself.
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives roses.
Knowledge is gained by learning; trust by doubt; skill by practice; love by love.