Writings of the Ancients (Photo credit: dominiekth)
Today, we will explore the sixth Taoist observation of the way of the Ancient. Please look below for the other articles in the series.
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
If one were to consider a tree and it’s fruit, one would realize that the fruit is good when the tree is good. The term “low hanging fruit” in the modern society is readily used to imply an easy and straight action fix. Enter the Ancients.
According to the Ancients, when one reacts to the fruit of the tree, one is being rash and swift and acting without thought. To ensure the fruit becomes good, the tree must be tended to. Such is their view of life and any disturbance it may offer. It is imperative to distinguish between the fruit and the tree for their will always be a fruited tree of potential.
The Ancients also recognize that when one is connected with the Tao natural and spontaneous impulses spring from genuine compassion connecting one immediately with the tree. The Ancients trust that if the action was not self-centered, then indeed it was an inspired response.
Because he does not act for his own ends,
nor cause unnecessary conflict,
he is held to be correct
in his actions towards his fellow man.
It is for this reason that Ancients do not make a show of charity for that leads to the doorway of vanity and self centered action. To the Ancients, there is nothing more dangerous than the veneer of respectable action overlaid on top of corruption and greed. The resulting spiritual venom is invisible to most members of society.
However, the Ancients will take their actions publicly after all other options have been exhausted. Even then, they treat it as an endeavor of the greatest treachery. Some would equate it to the crossing of a snow blocked mountain pass during the spring time thaw.
Desiring nothing for himself,
and having no desire
for change for its own sake,
his actions were difficult to understand.
To the outsider, it may appear that the Ancients take no action or that they take too long to be roused into action. In fact, what is not obvious to the outsider is the Ancients’ practice for finding the invisible tree in the situation. Only then would a natural course of action be inspired.
The other item that goes counter to most outsiders is the Ancients’ need to shy away from the limelight. Whereas as recognition caters to the outsider’s hierarchy of needs, compassion defines the Ancients’ needs. The hidden act of mercy is an act of pure compassion. It is the living proof of the victory of the spirit over the ego. Compassion has the power to inspire and move civilization forward.
The actions of the sage are sharp,
but they are never cutting,
they are pointed, though never piercing,
they are straightforward, not contrived,
and not without restraint,
brilliant but not blinding.
This is the action of the sage,
because he is aware
that where happiness exists,
there is also misery and strife;
that where honesty may be found,
there is occasion for dishonesty,
and that men may be beguiled.
Now that Ancients have been aroused and have seen the invisible tree, it is their turn to rise to action. However, it is not any random action. It is deliberate, swift, controlled and focused. For in order to fix the tree, the Ancients must surgically excise out the bad elements. Their eyes are trained to distinguish between genuine good and surface veneer good. Furthermore, the Ancients find the bad by seeking out the excessively good.
Though the words of the sage are simple,
and his actions easily performed,
they are few among many,
who can speak or act as a sage.For the ordinary man it is difficult
to know the way of a sage,
perhaps because his words
are from the distant past,
and his actions naturally disposed.
The Ancients’ way of life is rooted in reflection and observation. It is rooted in the the study of consequence and repercussion. Each of these revelations in turn shape the invisible tree which represents the Ancient. Consequently, the newly adjusted Ancient will be capable of assessing the invisible tree of the situation. When an Ancient travels back in time to his or her recollection of a life experience, he or she will connect with the outsider from that vantage point in their timeline lending to a distant and otherworldly presence.
Related articles
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: So What Is An Ancient Anyways? (meenarose.com)
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: A Harmony of Paradoxes(meenarose.com)
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: Close Harmony With Nature (meenarose.com)
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: Light Traveler (meenarose.com)
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: Equanimity (meenarose.com)
- Observations of Modern Day Ancients: Peaceful Warrior (meenarose.com)
