Zhuangzi
Zhuangzi
expectations stills
You are still guided by your expectations.
archer hands skills
An archer competing for a clay vessel shoots effortlessly, his or her skill and concentration unimpeded. If the prize is changed to a brass ornament, the hands begin to shake. If it is changed to gold, he or she squints as if going blind. The abilities do not deteriorate, but belief in them does, as he or she allows the supposed value of an external reward to cloud the vision.
path made walking
A path is made by walking on it.
jail thieves nations
A petty thief is put in jail. A great brigand becomes a ruler of a Nation.
cherish curse
Cherish that which is in you and shut out that which is without, for much knowledge is a curse.
encouraging mind may
Flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.
archer caring winning
When an archer is shooting for nothing, he has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle, he is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold, he goes blind or sees two targets - He is out of his mind! His skill has not changed. But the prize divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning than of shooting- And the need to win drains him of power.
mirrors enlightenment attention
The enlightened attention rejects nothing nor welcomes anything-like a mirror it responds equally to all.
fitness-motivational stronger body
Take care of your body, then the rest will automatically become stronger.
mirrors eyelashes water
As regards the quietude of the sage, he is not quiet because quietness is said to be good. He is quiet because the multitude of things cannot disturb his quietude. When water is still, one's beard and eyelashes are reflected in it. A skilled carpenter uses it in a level to obtain a measurement. If still water is so clear, how much more are the mental faculties! The mind of the sage is the mirror of heaven and earth in which all things are reflected.
circles taoism separation
When there is no more separation between 'this' and 'that,' it is called the still-point of the Tao. At the still point in the center of the circle one can see the infinite in all things.
learning understanding
It is only when the formed learns from the unformed that there is understanding.
mirrors water heaven
Water becomes clear and transparent when in a quiescent stage. How much the more wonderful will be the mind of a sage when poised in quiescence! It is the mirror of heaven and earth, reflecting the ten thousand things.
mirrors water mind
If water derives lucidity from stillness, how much more the faculties of the mind! The mind of the sage, being in repose, becomes the mirror of the universe, the speculum of all creation.