“We have easily allowed ourselves to live on a shaky foundation” - this resonated with me. When I revealed my chronic health situation, I learned that many around me actually have similar issues from health to personal crisis. For practicality sake, they mostly silently swallow the situation and go about life trying to be normal. I wonder how many of us are truly okay, truly free?
“We love and hate too much” - this also resonated with me. I learned from the West that it’s ok to feel strongly and be expressive. But now I am at another state trying to see which part of the west to blend with the ‘staying silent and living by in solitude’ wise sentiment of the east.
Interestingly here in Kyoto, most locals enjoy the cultural aspects for its own sake and for community’s continuity. But generally those from the West or educated in the West try very hard to “productize” these experiences, charging exorbitant rates. Meditation for example has the risk of becoming yet another tool or things to do, not really solving the root causes. I wonder how much of an active action is just too much?
These are deep observations and reflections. It's quite easy to "blend in" without guarding our core, to conform without questioning. While we say yes to the outside forces, we are also negating our inner self.
I'd still prefer the way of ‘staying silent and living by in solitude’. And it doesn't indicate a lack of strong sentiment. Caring too much can also look like indifference on the outside.
The approaches of commercialization reflect different attitudes toward life, I guess. One is about about being part of the culture, being unified with the natural order of things. The other way signifies a sense of fracture, to treat external objects or even experiences as materials for products, which is an endless pursuit and chasing in the outside.
It brings me inner joy to see that these writings on Taoism can add some value to you. All I can say is that this is just the beginning. I still have some relevant projects to work on and present the Taoism system in accessible ways.
“We have easily allowed ourselves to live on a shaky foundation” - this resonated with me. When I revealed my chronic health situation, I learned that many around me actually have similar issues from health to personal crisis. For practicality sake, they mostly silently swallow the situation and go about life trying to be normal. I wonder how many of us are truly okay, truly free?
“We love and hate too much” - this also resonated with me. I learned from the West that it’s ok to feel strongly and be expressive. But now I am at another state trying to see which part of the west to blend with the ‘staying silent and living by in solitude’ wise sentiment of the east.
Interestingly here in Kyoto, most locals enjoy the cultural aspects for its own sake and for community’s continuity. But generally those from the West or educated in the West try very hard to “productize” these experiences, charging exorbitant rates. Meditation for example has the risk of becoming yet another tool or things to do, not really solving the root causes. I wonder how much of an active action is just too much?
These are deep observations and reflections. It's quite easy to "blend in" without guarding our core, to conform without questioning. While we say yes to the outside forces, we are also negating our inner self.
I'd still prefer the way of ‘staying silent and living by in solitude’. And it doesn't indicate a lack of strong sentiment. Caring too much can also look like indifference on the outside.
The approaches of commercialization reflect different attitudes toward life, I guess. One is about about being part of the culture, being unified with the natural order of things. The other way signifies a sense of fracture, to treat external objects or even experiences as materials for products, which is an endless pursuit and chasing in the outside.
Thank you, always, for your wise words!
Thank you! We are always sharing and learning from each other's thoughts. Always grateful for such exchanges!
Thank you, Yuxuan! I appreciate the 缘分to learn from you and all things Taoism through this space.
It brings me inner joy to see that these writings on Taoism can add some value to you. All I can say is that this is just the beginning. I still have some relevant projects to work on and present the Taoism system in accessible ways.
It is indeed 緣分. Life is magic!