Restrictions, Laws and Poverty

April 12, 2010 · Posted in Social, Tao · Comment

Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)

The Tao Te Ching (Daodejing) is the second most translated book in the world today. Let’s take a look at a handful of translations of a particular part of Chapter 57 and see if we can determine what is being expressed:

Beck: The more restrictions there are, the poorer the people.

Chan: The more taboos and prohibitions there are in the world, The poorer the people will be.

Hansen: The more the social world has to elude, the more the people are impoverished.

Legge: In the kingdom the multiplication of prohibitive enactments increases the poverty of the people.

Mitchell: The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.

Ta-Kao: The more restrictions and avoidances are in the empire, The poorer become the people.

Smiling

April 6, 2010 · Posted in Health · Comment

Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

Here’s a little exercise I use sometimes to give myself a mood lift. It’s especially useful in heavy traffic. Think of something that makes you smile. Not something that is funny and makes you laugh, but something that made you happy. Perhaps it’s a childhood memory. Perhaps it’s remembering a great moment with a pet. Or maybe it’s the first time you saw the love of your life. However you choose, find that special, genuine smile of happiness. Once you have it, hold on to it. If it was a big smile, let go of some of it until you have just a slight grin. Keep this expression on your face willfully, even after the moment of remembering has passed.

Tags: laugh, smile, stress, stress relief

To Be Who You Want

April 5, 2010 · Posted in Health, Tao · Comment

Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

So often these days we spend a lot of time and effort striving to make changes in ourselves. Many of us are trying to kick bad habits such as cigarette smoking. Even more are attempting to lose weight and keep themselves in good shape. Why is it such a struggle for some people?