Scholars, drunk on words and obscure meanings,
Weave a tangled web of concordances.
Simple practice never occurs to them.
Give up education, and the world will be better.
There are many who seek Tao through intellect. They revel in thousands of coincidences, seek similarities in all the world’s religions, conduct learned discourses for enthralled audiences. But they would reach the truth faster if they tied their thoughts to experience.
The intellect is inherently dualistic. It makes distinctions and creates new connections between concepts and calls that “meaning.” This type of analytical thinking is extremely limited in the face of Tao, which is not fully rational, nor fully quantitative, not fully describable. Though most followers of Tao are learned, they also realize that the intellect is but one aspect in what must be a multifaceted approach to Tao.
It is said one must give up education, not because we should be dumb, but because we mut seek a level on consciousness beyond the intellect. We must study, but not to the point that emphasis on experience and meditation is lost. If we can combine the intellect and direct experience with out meditative mid, then there will be no barrier to the wordless perception of reality.
As much as I like to think about Tao, it is not when I’m thinking about it that I most experience it. I am most with Tao when I’m in my garden, when I’m out in the world enjoying the sunshine and plants and fresh air, or when I am quietly meditating. Even as I put together my musings, I am distracted by the Tao – cats to pet, dog to pet or let in and out, a drink to refill, a bird to watch, the noise of workers removing wallboard that has had water leak in and ruin it.
So much going on!
And this is a relaxing day. On a busy day, there is so much more. Life is constantly going on around us. The Tao is always busy, creating, changing form. We watch in amazement as the world changes around us. How could we possibly keep up with all this intellectually? Oh, look! A rose is blooming! I am constantly distracted by all that goes on around me. Intellectually, I tune this out to write, but really, I am aware of all this going on. If I were only to listen to my intellect, I would miss so much of life. Oooh, stretch – feel muscles rearrange themselves… Turn down the heater that is getting too warm on my leg. Readjust my sitting position. See? there is alway all this going on…
No Responses