It is funny how when a lot of people think of something being strong, long lasting, and durable, they often think of something that is solid and rigid. Things like a tank, an elephant, a brick house, etc., are seen in this light. Ironically, true strength and staying power comes with being flexible and being able to adapt to whatever life has to offer.When you can bend and not break, you may become a master at adapting. This can be seen in the way people and structures may be conditioned to be flexible and therefore successful at adapting to unexpected changes and potential stress. Think about earthquake proof buildings. These are buildings that sway with the turbulence of the very earth they are built on. Think about a master martial artist; able to dodge and avoid any attack. Their very strength comes from their flexibility.
This concept holds true for not only potential physical stress, but also mental. People's ideas of what is right and wrong, good or bad, just and unjust; are like the traditional ideas of physical strength. They are rigid structures easily broken when things do not go as once expected. Morality is relative. It is what helps create the ego identities that are rigid barriers.
The perspective beyond the ego; the Observer; is nothing but flexible. It has no rigid walls that will crumble. Stress or resistance to life situations can not exist with this view. It is beyond shattering. It is shatter proof.
When you stop and look at the fact that nothing can possibly happen without it being allowed to happen by the laws of the universe, you must acknowledge the fact that it all must really be for the best. This is not to say that we can not make changes for the greater good. This is simply to say that we do not have to stress out about what we can not change.
The Serenity prayer articulates this quite perfectly. " God, give me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." These are words to live by. This is a perspective that enables the person who uses it to be flexible and able to adapt to anything.
For more on this and other concepts, read What Is Really Good? and stay tuned!
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4 comments:
That was so clearly and beautifully stated!!
Ha! I was somehow reminded by Tao Te Ching, chapter 43, verse 1 :D
"The softest thing on the universe
Overcomes the hardest thing in the universe.
That without substance can enter where there is no room.
Hence I know the value of non-action."
Anyway, I completely agree that everything must be really for the best. I have seen through this light for quite some times now, and really, life becomes beautiful and unstressful, no matter what happens (so far), hehehehehe :D
Thank you Rambling Taoist!
That verse is perfect Rizal. Thank you for the insight!
The Serenity Prayer is on the kitchen wall of a friend of mine. This woman is 89. Her husband, now passed on 8 years, had many health problems. His wife nurtured the patientce of a saint and her frame of mind was healed in part through reading this timeless prayer often.
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