from the hua hu ching

Michael and Nnonnths’ great discussion reminded me of some verses from the hua hu ching, a book attributed to Lao Tzu.

Verse 58

Unless the mind, body and spirit are equally
developed and fully integrated, no spiritual peak or
state of enlightenment can be sustained.
This is why extremest religions and ideologies do not bear fruit.

When the mind and spirit are forced into unnatural
austerities or adherence to external dogmas, the
body grows sick and and weak and becomes a traitor to
the whole being.
When the body is emphasised to the exclusion of the
mind and spirit, they become like trapped snakes:
frantic, explosive and poisonous to ones’ person.
All such imbalances inevitably lead to exhaustion and
expiration of the life force.

True self-cultivation involves the wholistic integration of
mind, body and spirit.
Balancing yin and yang through the various practices
of the integral way, one achieves complete unity
within and without
This manifests in the world as perfect equilibrium,
and perfect grace.

Verse 75

Would you like to liberate yourself from the lower
realms of life?
Would you like to save the world fromthe degredation
and destruction it seems destined for?
Then step away from shallow mass movements and
quietly go to work on your own self-awareness.

If you want to awaken all of hunmanity, then awaken
all of yourself.
If you want to eliminate all the sufering in the world,
then eliminate all that is dark and negative in
yourself.
Truly, the greatest gift you have to give is that of your
own self-tranformation

So find a teacher who is an integral being, a beacon
who extends his light and virtue with equal ease to
those who appreciate him and those who don’t.
Shape yourself in his mould, bathe in his nourishing
radiance, and reflect it out to the rest of the world.
You will come to understand an eternal truth: there is
always a peaceful home for a virtuous being.

Verse 51

Those who want to know the truth of the universe
should practice the four cardinal virtues.

The first is reverence for all life; this manifests as
unconditional love and repect for oneself and all
other beings.
The second is natural sincerity; this manifests as
honesty, simplicity and faithfulness.
The third is gentleness; this manifests as kindness,
consideration for others, and sensitivity to spiritual
truth.
The fourth is supportiveness; this manifests as service
to others without expectation of reward.

The four virtues are not an external dogma but a part
of your original nature.
When practiced, they give birth to wisdom and evoke
the five blessings: health, wealth happiness,
longevity and peace.