579 From: "David Fiske" <david.fiske@sympatico.ca>
Date: Sun Apr 3, 2005 0:06pm
Subject: Some Reflections fiskedavid
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Taking things as they come.
It seems to me we have two choices.
One is to try and guide our life to a future we want. This means to
become master of our destiny, to apply our focus, energy and
intention on the goals we want to achieve. It is not always easy to
know exactly what it is we want, for although happiness is a
convenient catch all goal the actual way we will become happy is
unclear. So often we find that getting there does not bring the
happy results we wanted. Nevertheless, trying is the exercise we set
ourselves, the path of effort.
The second choice involves accepting what life gives us based on the
notion of seeking first the Kingdom of God and all else will be
added to us. The problem with this is that we can become passive
welcome mats for whatever the world wants to throw at us.
Taoists try to find the point of balance amidst opposing energies,
walking that razor's edge of effort and surrender. Too much swing
either way, and balance is lost.
Balance in a dynamic world requires constant vigilance; to be yang,
assertive, at the appropriate moment but always ready to turn yin,
receptive or retreating, when that is advisable. This way we balance
our feminine and masculine and become more rounded as individuals.
There is no code book of instructions for this. By making mistakes
we learn. All of us learn that way. By paying attention to how
things work out, by our falling, we learn first how to re establish
balance when it is lost and then how not to lose that balance. When
are we too rigid; when are we too flaccid. All along our intuition
gets honed so we start to feel what is the right response in any
situation.
Gradually we learn where our choices will take us. It becomes
complex because we live in a competitive world. Everyone seems to be
selling something. Finding harmony and right action is a skill.
Sometimes it seems that we live on a planet designed to make it
difficult. It seems sad to me how often we will say wryly, "Well
that was a learning experience"; always when the experience was a
tough one. Why can't our learning experiences be also pleasant ones?
On my website
http://www.esotericarts.org you will find a number of
essays under the "topics" button based on talks given at my School
of Tai Chi & Esoteric Arts. They examine this subject in greater
detail and how to acquire the personal power required for balance
and for living passionately. Taoist Internal Alchemy, Sexual Energy,
Kundalini, Baptism of Fire etc. So what about a fragrant cup of
Green Tea while reading an essay!
Love,
David
580 From: "nearoanoke" <nearoanoke@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon Apr 4, 2005 0:29am
Subject: Re: Some Reflections nearoanoke
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It is a very good read David. Thanks for sharing and also thanks for
the link.
The problem with the idea of destiny (everything written down) is
that we might take things easier and become lazy. We need to feel
everything is in our hands and tommorrow will be based on what we do
today. Then only I feel we can make good progress.
Our self-conscience tells us what is correct and what is wrong. We
need to strengthen this inner voice and our ability to listen to
inner voice and do what is right despite of any obstacles. Meditaion
is a process to increase this ability to listen to our conscience.
Love,
Near
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "David Fiske" <david.fiske@s...>
wrote:
>
>
> Taking things as they come.
>
> It seems to me we have two choices.
>
> One is to try and guide our life to a future we want. This means to
> become master of our destiny, to apply our focus, energy and
> intention on the goals we want to achieve. It is not always easy to
> know exactly what it is we want, for although happiness is a
> convenient catch all goal the actual way we will become happy is
> unclear. So often we find that getting there does not bring the
> happy results we wanted. Nevertheless, trying is the exercise we
set
> ourselves, the path of effort.
>
> The second choice involves accepting what life gives us based on
the
> notion of seeking first the Kingdom of God and all else will be
> added to us. The problem with this is that we can become passive
> welcome mats for whatever the world wants to throw at us.
>
> Taoists try to find the point of balance amidst opposing energies,
> walking that razor's edge of effort and surrender. Too much swing
> either way, and balance is lost.
>
> Balance in a dynamic world requires constant vigilance; to be yang,
> assertive, at the appropriate moment but always ready to turn yin,
> receptive or retreating, when that is advisable. This way we
balance
> our feminine and masculine and become more rounded as individuals.
>
> There is no code book of instructions for this. By making mistakes
> we learn. All of us learn that way. By paying attention to how
> things work out, by our falling, we learn first how to re establish
> balance when it is lost and then how not to lose that balance. When
> are we too rigid; when are we too flaccid. All along our intuition
> gets honed so we start to feel what is the right response in any
> situation.
>
> Gradually we learn where our choices will take us. It becomes
> complex because we live in a competitive world. Everyone seems to
be
> selling something. Finding harmony and right action is a skill.
>
> Sometimes it seems that we live on a planet designed to make it
> difficult. It seems sad to me how often we will say wryly, "Well
> that was a learning experience"; always when the experience was a
> tough one. Why can't our learning experiences be also pleasant ones?
>
> On my website
http://www.esotericarts.org you will find a number of
> essays under the "topics" button based on talks given at my School
> of Tai Chi & Esoteric Arts. They examine this subject in greater
> detail and how to acquire the personal power required for balance
> and for living passionately. Taoist Internal Alchemy, Sexual
Energy,
> Kundalini, Baptism of Fire etc. So what about a fragrant cup of
> Green Tea while reading an essay!
> Love,
> David
587 From: "David Fiske" <david.fiske@sympatico.ca>
Date: Mon Apr 4, 2005 8:05pm
Subject: Re: Some Reflections fiskedavid
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--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "nearoanoke" <nearoanoke@y...> wrote:
>
>
> It is a very good read David. Thanks for sharing and also thanks for
> the link.
>
> The problem with the idea of destiny (everything written down) is
> that we might take things easier and become lazy. We need to feel
> everything is in our hands and tommorrow will be based on what we do
> today. Then only I feel we can make good progress.
>
> Yes, as I often tell my students, what you think , you will say,
what you say you will do and what you do you will become. It is all a
step by step thing.
David
609 From: "jim_and_his_karma" <jim_and_his_karma@yahoo.com>
Date: Wed Apr 6, 2005 0:06am
Subject: Re: Some Reflections jim_and_his_...
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That's scarily literally true, David. It took me a long time to realize how insanely easily we
self-program. For a while, the realization bummed me out...I felt like it reflected a lack of
free will inherent in the human situation. But one of the things I love about AYP is that it
leverages this to advantage. Ok...I'm eminently rewirable, so let me rewire myself for bliss
and love!
--- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "David Fiske" <david.fiske@s...> wrote:
>
>
> --- In AYPforum@yahoogroups.com, "nearoanoke" <nearoanoke@y...> wrote:
> >
> >
> > It is a very good read David. Thanks for sharing and also thanks for
> > the link.
> >
> > The problem with the idea of destiny (everything written down) is
> > that we might take things easier and become lazy. We need to feel
> > everything is in our hands and tommorrow will be based on what we do
> > today. Then only I feel we can make good progress.
> >
> > Yes, as I often tell my students, what you think , you will say,
> what you say you will do and what you do you will become. It is all a
> step by step thing.
> David
