When the Shoe Fits

When The Shoe Fits

When The Shoe Fits. Chu'i could draw perfect circles freehand. 'When the shoe fits, the foot is forgotten. When the belt fits, the belly is forgotten. When the heart is right, for and against are forgotten.' Easy is right. When the shoe fits: effortlessness is the way. No drives, no compulsions, no needs—then you are a free man. Forget the right way and the going is easy.

The Tower Of The Spirit

The Tower Of The Spirit. 'The spirit has an impregnable tower guarded by the invisible protector who acts unconsciously.' Actions go astray when deliberate. Self-conscious demonstration is a lie. The tower of the spirit: sincerity is unconscious. When you try to show yourself, the world storms in and imprisons you. Guard against display—be natural.

Flight From The Shadow

Flight From The Shadow. A man disturbed by his shadow and footsteps ran to escape them. The faster he ran, the more steps there were. He dropped dead. He didn't realize: step into the shade and the shadow vanishes; sit still and there are no more footsteps. Flight from the shadow: you can't escape yourself by running. Stop—sit in the shade of awareness.

Fighting Cock

Fighting Cock. The trainer: 'Not yet—he's full of fire, ready to fight.' Ten days later: 'Not yet—he flares up at another's crow.' Ten more: 'Not yet—he ruffles feathers.' Finally: 'He stands immobile like a cock of wood. Other birds will take one look and run.' Fighting cock: the highest power is stillness. When all reactivity ceases, you are invincible.

Monkey Mountain

Monkey Mountain. One monkey showed off, caught an arrow. The prince ordered a concerted attack—the monkey died full of arrows. 'He advertised his cleverness, trusted in his skill.' Yen Pu'i became a disciple to get rid of everything that made him outstanding. Monkey Mountain: don't rely on talent and distinction. The sage hides his abilities—thus he is held in awe.

Symphony For A Seabird

Symphony For A Seabird. A seabird landed outside the capital. The prince offered wine, music, slaughtered cattle. The bird died of despair. 'You killed it with music! Water is for fish, air for men. Natures differ—wise men don't lay down one measure for all.' Symphony for a seabird: don't project your needs onto others. Love means understanding the other's nature.

Autumn Floods

Autumn Floods. The river god laughed, thinking all beauty was his—until he saw the ocean. 'He who has a hundred ideas thinks he knows more than anybody.' The ocean god: 'Can you talk about the sea to a frog in a well?' Autumn floods: the small mind thinks it's vast. Only when you see the ocean do you realize your littleness. True vastness includes the humility of not knowing.

The Turtle

The Turtle. The prince offered Chuang Tzu the prime ministership. 'Is it better to be a sacred tortoise venerated for three thousand years, or to live dragging your tail in the mud?' 'For the turtle—better to live and drag its tail in the mud!' 'Go home—leave me here to drag my tail in the mud.' The turtle: freedom is more valuable than any position. The sage chooses mud over altars.

Duke Hwan And The Wheelright

Duke Hwan And The Wheelright. The duke read philosophy. The wheelwright: 'Alive or dead?' 'Dead.' 'Then you're reading the dirt they left behind.' The duke: 'Explain or die!' 'I make wheels—if too easy they fall apart, if too rough they don't fit. I can't teach my son—he can't learn. The men of old took their knowledge to the grave.' Duke Hwan and the wheelwright: real knowledge can't be transmitted in words. Scriptures are the dirt the dead left behind.

Man Is A Born In Tao

Man Is Born In Tao. 'Fishes are born in water, man is born in Tao. If man sinks into the deep shadow of non-action, he lacks nothing, his life is secure.' Needs can be fulfilled; desires cannot. Needs are here and now; desires are future projections. Man is born in Tao: you are already in the Tao—just stop struggling. Non-action is not laziness but effortlessness. Sink into the deep shadow and all needs are satisfied.