in pursuit?

the softest thing in the universe overcomes the hardest thing in the universe. 

that without substance can enter where there is no room, hence i know the value of non-action. 

teaching without words & work without doing are understood by very few..
- tao te ching (no. 43)

In the pursuit of learning, everyday something acquired.
In the pursuit of the tao, everyday something is dropped.
less & less is done until non-action is achieved.
when nothing is done, nothing is left undone..
- tao te ching (no. 48)

beyond boundaries..

so today arising after very little sleep, I began contemplating anahata nada & sanatana dharma, my favorite subjects. :)

interesting how in my life I happened upon, and was drawn to these principles.. I don't even know when it began. seems they have always been there, but the blessing of sanskrit has given them a name.. giving form to the formless..

anahata nada is soundless (or unstruck) sound.. the sound of the silence from which all sounds (forms) arise..

sanatana dharma is the eternal supporting principle of existence, or literally, eternal supporting mother (natural law).. it is often used in reference to hinduism and indeed hinduism falls into that definition, but sanatana dharma is even more inclusive than what is generally thought of as hinduism..

it is this very inclusiveness that make these principles so beautiful. to me they represent that from which everything emerges, that in which everything exists, and that to which all things return..

when, for brief moments, one allows one'e ego (attachment to form) to dissolve, these principles represent what remains..

it is blissful to return & return again to this boundless state before reincarnating into this thought-form, or that one. that is the dance of life from formlessness into form, and the music that plays is anahata nada..

so many people seem to think that one state is preferable over another. constantly chasing eternal bliss, one never catches it. we believe that formlessness is better than form, or vice-versa.. and it is the impossible moment between the two, the dance itself where joy abounds.

on relating

so on this idea of relationships.. now I am focusing not on relationships as static concepts, but on relating as a dynamic.

I think this has been in the works for some time now, perhaps starting with ambc. I feel I learn a lot in relating to her. I think this approach could serve me well in relating to others too.. especially where there are challenges.

it's difficult not to conceptualize a relationship. just as it is to not conceptualize a human being, & instead to relate to what is presented in the moment without being mired in past formulations. this applies too in relating to self.

not a lot to think about. I suppose it is just a a matter of remembering to practice as the opportunites are presented.

how does one strike balance between remembering, and relating not based on the past, nor on hopes for the future (desire) for that matter?

I am not trying to abolish desire. desire is the thing that moves us forward, pushes the limits of existence. to reject desire is no more relevant than to become lost in it. it is the space between the two that is elusive.

I find that I am filled with desire even when in the moment, I want for nothing. it is like being balanced on an invisible thread, without fear of falling.. only feeling yourself there, suspended, timeless.

sometimes I don't know why I bother to write about these things. I guess there is an impetus for self-expression. that is enough of a reason. maybe no different from the reason we are here. :)

Dalliance

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind. [Ecclesiastes 1:14 - New American Standard Bible (©1995)]

How do I feel about that quote? there are several different translations.. the Lamsa english translation of the Syriac Peshitta (which I usually prefer) says this:

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. [Ecclesiastes 1:14 - Lamsa English Peshitta Translation]

All the works which have been done under the sun.. Sometimes I feel as if I have seen all of them, but other times I realize that is not so, at least not on a personal level. All is vanity? Excessive pride.. egotism.. unreality.. I think perhaps most is vanity, not all.. No -- now that I consider that more carefully, not even most is vanity..

Most is comprised of what is found in nature, and nature is not vain, except to the extent that it cannot be separated from the consciousness that perceives it.. Therefore, if I see all as vanity, then it is I who is vain..

Vanity as the unreal.. Most is unreal? Hmm.. most is unreal, I suppose, if one considers the world of form as "unreal." What is reality? If reality is something that exits independently from the ideas concerning it, then only no-thing is real.. Thus, all is unreal and all is vanity after-all.

It only stands to follow that if all is unreal, then there is only striving after wind.. because any striving would be after some-thing and no-thing is real, only transient like the wind.. and all things exist as concepts in this dream of reality.

Is this a vexation of spirit? Both vexations and spirits, being things are unreal and only vanity; therefore, there is no vexation of spirit..

And so yes, I agree that "all is vanity and striving after wind." I do not necessarily concur that it is a "vexation of spirit." :-)

*whew! glad I got that figured out!*

For some reason the Narayana Mantra is what is evoked for me after this discourse.
"om namo narayanaya"