The Tao Te Ching (Laozi)

I would like to share a different kind of message this week: virtue.

All virtues are values but not all values are virtues. ~ Steve Moyer

Chapter 54 (第五十四章):

Proficient builders do not eradicate,

Noble embracers do not abandon,

They continue to be honoured from generation to generation.

Cultivate the Teachings amidst your self,

The Virtue is in understanding the truth;

Cultivate the Teachings amidst your family,

The Virtue is in finding fortune;

Cultivate the Teachings amidst your community,

The Virtue is in garnering respect;

Cultivate the Teachings amidst your nation,

The Virtue is in harvesting prosperity.

Cultivate the Teachings amidst the universe,

The Virtue is ubiquitously enjoyed.

Therefore, behold ones self to see self,

Behold ones family to see family,

Behold ones community to see community,

Behold ones nation to see nationality,

Behold the universe to see the universe.

How do I know the essence of the universe?

By seeing this.

Unity

This is another of my poems/writings, written very early in the morning and re-drafted a few times before finally I was happy with it:

Unity,

What was that?

Unity!

Oh, we will have to pay for that,

It is not the cost that worries me,

It is the outcome that matters,

We will not pay with lives.

As in war and in peacetime,

Nor in money as in the current monetary-market system,

But we will pay in time,

With strength, effort, thought,

Intelligence, idea, speech, rationality and the arts,

The message of unity will be paid for in full,

And the benefits will be for everyone on this Earth,

To live, for free.

The Tao Te Ching (Laozi) II

This is another chapter of the Laozi that stands out for me. I hope you find it interesting and remember to read into the context;

Chapter 56 (第五十六章):

Those who know talks not,

Those who talks knows not,

Blockading its exchanges,

Confining its ideals,

Moderating its ingenuity,

Unravelling its complexity,

Softening its intensity,

Is but merging into its ubiquity,

That is the intricacy of ubiquity,

Cannot be possessed for hate,

Cannot be possessed for profit,

Cannot be possessed for harm,

Cannot be possessed for respect,

Cannot be possessed for despise,

Therefore it is respected by the universe.

The Zeitgeist Trilogy

The Zeitgeist Movie is the first of the three documentaries. You can watch these on youtube, Zeitgeist: Addendum is the second movie released by Peter Joseph - director and producer. The newest in of the three is called Zeitgeist: Moving Forward. The purpose is to introduce people to what is really going on around us in the world today and to a solution - The Venus Project. The Venus Project was created in the mind of Jacques Fresco - Inventor, scientist, social engineer and more.

You can find out more information on these websites;

www.zeitgeistmovie.com and

www.thevenusproject.com

If you find anything hard to understand or like me you might at first begin to feel like your world is being turned upside down, don't worry about it, once you awaken from your slumber you will realise that we actually can make the world a better place. Let's be the change that we want to happen.

Thanks,

A

Enter Shikari

Something I came across recently was Enter Shikari's 2009 album "Common Dreads"

I had no idea at first how politically orientated the album would be, I have been a fan of them for a long time anyway but I just hadn't kept up to date.

Something to get you in the mood for some activism ^^.

So here is a link to a song of there's, I'm sure if you haven't heard it before that you will enjoy it (if you are into this kind of music).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs2Hj41J41Q

Thanks,

A

Think Contextualy

The chapter of the Laozi previous is from around 6th century BCE, that is roughly 2600 years ago, I'm sure you know. Does it mean anything today? I'm quite certain if it had been written today, it would fit in perfectly.

Here is something I wrote last year;

Fuck the monetary system,

Fuck war,

Fuck poverty,

Just passing the time,

In my own narrow mind,

I love this war,

And the death toll,

Wasn't life such a bore,

Before young men went off to war,

Feeling the pressure of the monetary system,

Fighting for a cause they do not believe in,

But they are bleeding,

For money,

So I just pass the time,

In my own narrow mind,

With a smile on my face,

Slowly losing this rat race.

I will post any new ideas like this that come to mind. There are two that I already have, they just need redrafting.

Thanks,

A

The Tao Te Ching (Laozi)

According to tradition, it was written around the 6th century BCE by the sage Laozi.

I will post a new chapter that fits the mood once a week.

So to start with, here is one of my favourites;

Chapter 75 (第七十五章):

People's poverty,

Is caused by parasitic exploitation by superiors,

Hence there is poverty.

People's complicatedness,

Is caused by ambitions of superiors,

Hence there are complications.

People's willingness to sacrifice,

Is because of the weight given to life,

Hence there are sacrifices.

Only those who are not ambitious for achievements in life,

Are truly capable of appreciating life.