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Wisdom of the Tao Te Ching
These three verses struck me today. As usual it seems that my mind wanders to those things over which I would not even have a laughable amount of input.
From the Tao Te Ching by Lao-Tzu:
56
Those who know do not talk.
Those who talk do not know.
Stop talking,
meditate in silence,
blunt your sharpness,
release your worries,
harmonize your inner light,
and become one with the dust.
Doing this is the called the dark and mysterious identity.
Those who have achieved the mysterious identity
can not be approached, and they can not be alienated.
They can not be benefited nor harmed.
They can not be made noble nor to suffer disgrace.
This makes them the most noble of all under the heavens.
57
Govern your country with integrity,
Weapons of war can be used with great cunning,
but loyalty is only won by not-doing.
How do I know the way things are?
By these:
The more prohibitions you make,
the poorer people will be.
The more weapons you posses,
the greater the chaos in your country.
The more knowledge that is acquired,
the stranger the world will become.
The more laws that you make,
the greater the number of criminals.
Therefore the Master says:
I do nothing,
and people become good by themselves.
I seek peace,
and people take care of their own problems.
I do not meddle in their personal lives,
and the people become prosperous.
I let go of all my desires,
and the people return to the Uncarved Block.
58
If a government is unobtrusive,
the people become whole.
If a government is repressive,
the people become treacherous.
Good fortune has its roots in disaster,
and disaster lurks with good fortune.
Who knows why these things happen,
or when this cycle will end?
Good things seem to change into bad,
and bad things often turn out for good.
These things have always been hard to comprehend.
Thus the Master makes things change
without interfering.
She is probing yet causes no harm.
Straightforward, yet does not impose her will.
Radiant, and easy on the eye.
Monday, January 31, 2005
Friday, January 28, 2005
Monday, January 24, 2005
The Significance of the Historical Jesus
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in the year old issue of Radical Grace writes in the article "Reclaiming the Missing Jesus", "Jesus is missing and we need his guidance. He is missing because Christian theologies, creeds, and actions are disconnected from his life as a revelation of God. The Christ of faith is the object of worship and the subject of our creeds and New Testament Gospels. This Christ, however, is often at odds with the historical Jesus and the God revealed through his life. Jesus, who was experienced by some as good news and revelation of God and by others as a subversive threat worthy of scorn and death, has all but disappeared from Christianity. It should not surprise us that Jesus was killed by his enemies. More surprising is how Jesus has been distorted by his admirers, from New Testament times to our own."
I find this article incredibly interesting especially when compared to a "popular" Christian Television show where there is much talk about how individuals cannot not believe a God that the individual creates to fit their personal beliefs. It is obvious that there is much disagreement as to what Jesus Christ actually believed, lived and practiced (or at least there exists a few different ideas on the matter). I cannot really comprehend why it is wrong to understand the historical Jesus. I would think that it would only strengthen one's faith. I know it did mine when I took a class on historical christianity. I would compare studying the historical Jesus to studying the founders of our country. We can better understand the Constitution by better understanding who wrote it, and by better understanding the context in which it was written. Same goes for Jesus and the Bible. I know Jesus is eternal (unlike the Constitution and our nation's founders) but that does not mean that we should just forget where He came from and when he walked the Earth as man.
Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer in the year old issue of Radical Grace writes in the article "Reclaiming the Missing Jesus", "Jesus is missing and we need his guidance. He is missing because Christian theologies, creeds, and actions are disconnected from his life as a revelation of God. The Christ of faith is the object of worship and the subject of our creeds and New Testament Gospels. This Christ, however, is often at odds with the historical Jesus and the God revealed through his life. Jesus, who was experienced by some as good news and revelation of God and by others as a subversive threat worthy of scorn and death, has all but disappeared from Christianity. It should not surprise us that Jesus was killed by his enemies. More surprising is how Jesus has been distorted by his admirers, from New Testament times to our own."
I find this article incredibly interesting especially when compared to a "popular" Christian Television show where there is much talk about how individuals cannot not believe a God that the individual creates to fit their personal beliefs. It is obvious that there is much disagreement as to what Jesus Christ actually believed, lived and practiced (or at least there exists a few different ideas on the matter). I cannot really comprehend why it is wrong to understand the historical Jesus. I would think that it would only strengthen one's faith. I know it did mine when I took a class on historical christianity. I would compare studying the historical Jesus to studying the founders of our country. We can better understand the Constitution by better understanding who wrote it, and by better understanding the context in which it was written. Same goes for Jesus and the Bible. I know Jesus is eternal (unlike the Constitution and our nation's founders) but that does not mean that we should just forget where He came from and when he walked the Earth as man.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
I Guess this means...
New RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman said while addressing the Republican National Committee that "We can deepen the GOP by identifying and turning out Americans who vote for President but miss off year elections and agree with our work for a culture of life, promotion or marriage, and belief in our 2nd Amendment heritage."
So the reasoning that Mr. Mehlman gives for voting Republican is that the Republicans support a culture of life (well only when it comes to Abortion, they prefer the culture of death when it comes to war, criminals and the poor), that they support the promotion of marriage (because marriage is more valuable than fidelity, values, education, etc) and that they believe in the heritage of the 2nd Amendment (so if you support Amendment's 1 and/or 3-10 you should not be Republican, heck the other nine Amendments are irrelevant).
Mr. Mehlman further establishes the priorities of the Republican Party on the national level. One of those priorities is not people. Heck, where are the reasons to vote Republican that include balancing the budget, providing more better paying American jobs, restricting the role of government in our daily lives, etc? The Republican Party has turned into the party of homophobes and gun nuts...who would rather have assualt rifles than the freedom of speech...or at least Mr. Mehlman would like to see it that way.
New RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman said while addressing the Republican National Committee that "We can deepen the GOP by identifying and turning out Americans who vote for President but miss off year elections and agree with our work for a culture of life, promotion or marriage, and belief in our 2nd Amendment heritage."
So the reasoning that Mr. Mehlman gives for voting Republican is that the Republicans support a culture of life (well only when it comes to Abortion, they prefer the culture of death when it comes to war, criminals and the poor), that they support the promotion of marriage (because marriage is more valuable than fidelity, values, education, etc) and that they believe in the heritage of the 2nd Amendment (so if you support Amendment's 1 and/or 3-10 you should not be Republican, heck the other nine Amendments are irrelevant).
Mr. Mehlman further establishes the priorities of the Republican Party on the national level. One of those priorities is not people. Heck, where are the reasons to vote Republican that include balancing the budget, providing more better paying American jobs, restricting the role of government in our daily lives, etc? The Republican Party has turned into the party of homophobes and gun nuts...who would rather have assualt rifles than the freedom of speech...or at least Mr. Mehlman would like to see it that way.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Inspiration
I am lacking inspiration like crazy right now. Work is so hectic, but I seem not to be getting as much done as I need or should get done. That is not necessarily because I lack inspiration, but that does not hurt the cause any. I continually ask myself if I am too tough on myself, too tough on my co-workers, or too tough on my supervisors. From my point of view I’ve never really worked (in a professional setting) for people who could “inspire” their employees. Yes, I have known many people who could inspire their employees, but I was not an employee at that time, or I was not necessarily fit to inspire at that time (long story). And maybe because I knew some very great people at and from my alma mater who are inspiring that I know people in this field can be inspiring. But then maybe I am blowing this whole thing out of proportion. I know I cannot lay blame, I know that I must accept my responsibilities and stick with the consequences of my actions. However, I seem to get “turned off” on people with whom I work with/for who do not have the drive, or who are driving for a completely different set of values than I hold. I think that is what makes me truly understand that I can only be where I am for a limited amount of time. I cannot make a career, and I cannot follow my passions in a place that does not have similar values nor can I work for an incredible amount of time with people who do not hold similar values. Sometimes I think I am a nut and only I hold these values in my field, but I know there are other people out there, I’ve met a few of them, I know some of them, unfortunately I cannot get there…yet.
I pray I can get back on track…quickly.
I am lacking inspiration like crazy right now. Work is so hectic, but I seem not to be getting as much done as I need or should get done. That is not necessarily because I lack inspiration, but that does not hurt the cause any. I continually ask myself if I am too tough on myself, too tough on my co-workers, or too tough on my supervisors. From my point of view I’ve never really worked (in a professional setting) for people who could “inspire” their employees. Yes, I have known many people who could inspire their employees, but I was not an employee at that time, or I was not necessarily fit to inspire at that time (long story). And maybe because I knew some very great people at and from my alma mater who are inspiring that I know people in this field can be inspiring. But then maybe I am blowing this whole thing out of proportion. I know I cannot lay blame, I know that I must accept my responsibilities and stick with the consequences of my actions. However, I seem to get “turned off” on people with whom I work with/for who do not have the drive, or who are driving for a completely different set of values than I hold. I think that is what makes me truly understand that I can only be where I am for a limited amount of time. I cannot make a career, and I cannot follow my passions in a place that does not have similar values nor can I work for an incredible amount of time with people who do not hold similar values. Sometimes I think I am a nut and only I hold these values in my field, but I know there are other people out there, I’ve met a few of them, I know some of them, unfortunately I cannot get there…yet.
I pray I can get back on track…quickly.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Liberty
Thoughts on this thing we call liberty...
Woodrow Wilson from his address to the New York Press Club, 09/09/1912: "The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it."
James Madison "Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad."
...hmmm
Thoughts on this thing we call liberty...
Woodrow Wilson from his address to the New York Press Club, 09/09/1912: "The history of liberty is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is a history of the limitation of governmental power, not the increase of it."
James Madison "Perhaps it is a universal truth that the loss of liberty at home is to be charged to provisions against danger, real or pretended, from abroad."
...hmmm
Monday, January 03, 2005
Always Late
I am rarely on time. Well except when it comes to work. I am usually one of the first to meetings (as if they start on time anyway) and I am usually early to class. When it comes to my personal life it is almost a miracle when I am on time. I don't know where I got this bad habit from. I know my dad has a thing about being late, but he could not be the only one from whom I learned this trait. Other than it being a bad habit, I don't horribly mind it, although it has been known to cause trouble with friends, family and Jenn. Sometimes it is cool to be late. Being "late" to the party is usually a good thing as it is incredibly awkward to be the first if it is not your party or if it is not a party at which you are helping keep the order.
Ok...to the point. Yes, it is already 2005 and I am three days late. I have good reason. Jenn and I (with the addition of our dog) spent New Year's in Kansas City. We are fans of Kansas City. It is a nice city with tons to do and see. For New Year's Eve we ventured to the party at the Uptown Theater that was sponsored by 97.3 The Planet radio station. We did research and decided this was a good party to go to. It was and we had a blast. We partied as much like rockstars as we can for not being actual rockstars (well minus the drugs and groupies).
Kansas City is a definite treat. And if you are thinking they are paying me to say this, no, unlike the town of Branson, MO which sent me a t-shirt for my reviews, Kansas City does no such thing. Thats a bummer.
As for the coughing mentioned in the last post, thanks for all the well wishes. I went to the doctor today. I have a nasty little virus that caused Bronchitis. I have some medicine that should help :-).
I will have more on the New Year at another time, and of course, always later than it should be.
I am rarely on time. Well except when it comes to work. I am usually one of the first to meetings (as if they start on time anyway) and I am usually early to class. When it comes to my personal life it is almost a miracle when I am on time. I don't know where I got this bad habit from. I know my dad has a thing about being late, but he could not be the only one from whom I learned this trait. Other than it being a bad habit, I don't horribly mind it, although it has been known to cause trouble with friends, family and Jenn. Sometimes it is cool to be late. Being "late" to the party is usually a good thing as it is incredibly awkward to be the first if it is not your party or if it is not a party at which you are helping keep the order.
Ok...to the point. Yes, it is already 2005 and I am three days late. I have good reason. Jenn and I (with the addition of our dog) spent New Year's in Kansas City. We are fans of Kansas City. It is a nice city with tons to do and see. For New Year's Eve we ventured to the party at the Uptown Theater that was sponsored by 97.3 The Planet radio station. We did research and decided this was a good party to go to. It was and we had a blast. We partied as much like rockstars as we can for not being actual rockstars (well minus the drugs and groupies).
Kansas City is a definite treat. And if you are thinking they are paying me to say this, no, unlike the town of Branson, MO which sent me a t-shirt for my reviews, Kansas City does no such thing. Thats a bummer.
As for the coughing mentioned in the last post, thanks for all the well wishes. I went to the doctor today. I have a nasty little virus that caused Bronchitis. I have some medicine that should help :-).
I will have more on the New Year at another time, and of course, always later than it should be.
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