2 Zhuangzi 14

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.14

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 物化

昔者莊周夢為胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也，自喻適志與！
不知周也。
俄然覺，則蘧蘧然周也。
不知周之夢為胡蝶與，胡蝶之夢為周與？
周與胡蝶，則必有分矣。
此之謂物化。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Pro-verbs 6

1-5
Dear friend, if you’ve gone into hock with your neighbour
or locked yourself into a deal with a stranger,
If you’ve impulsively promised the shirt off your back
and now find yourself shivering out in the cold,
Friend, don’t waste a minute, get yourself out of that mess.
You’re in that man’s clutches!
Go, put on a long face; act desperate.
Don’t procrastinate—
there’s no time to lose.
Run like a deer from the hunter,
fly like a bird from the trapper!

6-11
You lazy fool, look at an ant.
Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.
Nobody has to tell it what to do.
All summer it stores up food;
at harvest it stockpiles provisions.
So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?
How long before you get out of bed?
A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,
sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?
Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,
poverty your permanent houseguest!

12-15
Riffraff and rascals
talk out of both sides of their mouths.
They wink at each other, they shuffle their feet,
they cross their fingers behind their backs.
Their perverse minds are always cooking up something nasty,
always stirring up trouble.
Catastrophe is just around the corner for them,
a total smashup, their lives ruined beyond repair.

16-19
Here are six things God hates,
and one more that he loathes with a passion:
eyes that are arrogant,
a tongue that lies,
hands that murder the innocent,
a heart that hatches evil plots,
feet that race down a wicked track,
a mouth that lies under oath,
a troublemaker in the family.

20-23
Good friend, follow your father’s good advice;
don’t wander off from your mother’s teachings.
Wrap yourself in them from head to foot;
wear them like a scarf around your neck.
Wherever you walk, they’ll guide you;
whenever you rest, they’ll guard you;
when you wake up, they’ll tell you what’s next.
For sound advice is a beacon,
good teaching is a light,
moral discipline is a life path.

24-35
They’ll protect you from wanton women,
from the seductive talk of some temptress.
Don’t lustfully fantasize on her beauty,
nor be taken in by her bedroom eyes.
You can buy an hour with a whore for a loaf of bread,
but a wanton woman may well eat you alive.
Can you build a fire in your lap
and not burn your pants?
Can you walk barefoot on hot coals
and not get blisters?
It’s the same when you have sex with your neighbour’s wife:
Touch her and you’ll pay for it. No excuses.
Hunger is no excuse
for a thief to steal;
When he’s caught he has to pay it back,
even if he has to put his whole house in hock.
Adultery is a brainless act,
soul-destroying, self-destructive;
Expect a bloody nose, a black eye,
and a reputation ruined for good.
For jealousy detonates rage in a cheated husband;
wild for revenge, he won’t make allowances.
Nothing you say or pay will make it all right;
neither bribes nor reason will satisfy him.

Source

More wonderful person

76 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you translate into action something you recently learnt on how to be a more wonderful person.

77 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be patient. Even the birds of the air and the fishes of the waters will to you be most grateful.

78 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you share with your beloved a wise saying once spoken to you by a grandparent or some elderly neighbour.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 13

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.13

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 待而然

罔兩問景曰：
「曩子行，今子止，曩子坐，今子起，何其無特操與？」
景曰：
「吾有待而然者邪！
吾所待又有待而然者邪！
吾待蛇蚹、蜩翼邪！
惡識所以然？
惡識所以不然？」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Pro-verbs 5

1-2
Dear friend, pay close attention to this, my wisdom;
listen very closely to the way I see it.
Then you’ll acquire a taste for good sense;
what I tell you will keep you out of trouble.

3-6
The lips of a seductive woman are oh so sweet,
her soft words are oh so smooth.
But it won’t be long before she’s gravel in your mouth,
a pain in your gut, a wound in your heart.
She’s dancing down the primrose path to Death;
she’s headed straight for Hell and taking you with her.
She hasn’t a clue about Real Life,
about who she is or where she’s going.

7-14
So, my friend, listen closely;
don’t treat my words casually.
Keep your distance from such a woman;
absolutely stay out of her neighbourhood.
You don’t want to squander your wonderful life,
to waste your precious life among the hard-hearted.
Why should you allow strangers to take advantage of you?
Why be exploited by those who care nothing for you?
You don’t want to end your life full of regrets,
nothing but sin and bones,
Saying, “Oh, why didn’t I do what they told me?
Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn’t I listen to my mentors,
or take my teachers seriously?
My life is ruined!
I haven’t one blessed thing to show for my life!”

15-16
Do you know the saying, “Drink from your own rain barrel,
draw water from your own spring-fed well”?
It’s true. Otherwise, you may one day come home
and find your barrel empty and your well polluted.

17-20
Your spring water is for you and you only,
not to be passed around among strangers.
Bless your fresh-flowing fountain!
Enjoy the wife you married as a young man!
Lovely as an angel, beautiful as a rose—
don’t ever quit taking delight in her body.
Never take her love for granted!
Why would you trade enduring intimacies
for cheap thrills with a whore?
for dalliance with a promiscuous stranger?

21-23
Mark well that God doesn’t miss a move you make;
he’s aware of every step you take.
The shadow of your sin will overtake you;
you’ll find yourself stumbling all over yourself in the dark.
Death is the reward of an undisciplined life;
your foolish decisions trap you in a dead end.

Source

Worthy heritage

73 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let your actions be a worthy heritage for tomorrow; for next week, next month, next year, and for the ever coming next centuries.

74 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you observe, listen and learn from Nature. This knowledge will you willingly share in word and way.

75 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you enjoy learning something about another culture; another religion, and atheism in a broad sense.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 12

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.12

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 萬世之後

瞿鵲子問乎長梧子曰：
「吾聞諸夫子，聖人不從事於務，不就利，不違害，不喜求，不緣道，无謂有謂，有謂无謂，而遊乎塵垢之外。
夫子以為孟浪之言，而我以為妙道之行也。
吾子以為奚若？」
長梧子曰：
「是黃帝之所聽熒也，而丘也何足以知之！
且女亦大早計，見卵而求時夜，見彈而求鴞炙。
予嘗為女妄言之，女以妄聽之，奚？
旁日月，挾宇宙，為其脗合，置其滑涽，以隸相尊。
眾人役役，聖人愚芚，參萬歲而一成純。
萬物盡然，而以是相蘊。
予惡乎知說生之非惑邪！
予惡乎知惡死之非弱喪而不知歸者邪！
麗之姬，艾封人之子也。
晉國之始得之也，涕泣沾襟；及其至於王所，與王同筐床，食芻豢，而後悔其泣也。
予惡乎知夫死者不悔其始之蘄生乎！
夢飲酒者，旦而哭泣；夢哭泣者，旦而田獵。
方其夢也，不知其夢也。
夢之中又占其夢焉，覺而後知其夢也。
且有大覺而後知此其大夢也，而愚者自以為覺，竊竊然知之。
君乎，牧乎，固哉！
丘也，與女皆夢也；予謂女夢，亦夢也。
是其言也，其名為弔詭。
萬世之後，而一遇大聖知其解者，是旦暮遇之也。
既使我與若辯矣，若勝我，我不若勝，若果是也？
我果非也邪？
我勝若，若不吾勝，我果是也？
而果非也邪？其或是也，其或非也邪？
其俱是也，其俱非也邪？
我與若不能相知也，則人固受其黮闇。
吾誰使正之？
使同乎若者正之，既與若同矣，惡能正之！
使同乎我者正之，既同乎我矣，惡能正之！
使異乎我與若者正之，既異乎我與若矣，惡能正之！
使同乎我與若者正之，既同乎我與若矣，惡能正之！
然則我與若與人俱不能相知也，而待彼也邪？
何化聲之相待，若其不相待。
和之以天倪，因之以曼衍，所以窮年也。
謂和之以天倪？
曰：是不是，然不然。
是若果是也，則是之異乎不是也亦無辯；然若果然也，則然之異乎不然也亦無辯。
忘年忘義，振於無竟，故寓諸無竟。」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Pro-verbs 4

1-2
Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice;
sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.
I’m giving you good counsel;
don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.

3-9
When I was a boy at my father’s knee,
the pride and joy of my mother,
He would sit me down and drill me:
“Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!
Sell everything and buy Wisdom!
Forage for Understanding!
Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!
Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life;
love her—she keeps her eye on you.
Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom!
Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!
Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it;
never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.
She’ll garland your life with grace,
she’ll festoon your days with beauty.”

10-15
Dear friend, take my advice;
it will add years to your life.
I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way,
I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road.
I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys,
or wasting time making wrong turns.
Hold tight to good advice; don’t relax your grip.
Guard it well—your life is at stake!
Don’t take Wicked Bypass;
don’t so much as set foot on that road.
Stay clear of it; give it a wide berth.
Make a detour and be on your way.

16-17
Evil people are restless
unless they’re making trouble;
They can’t get a good night’s sleep
unless they’ve made life miserable for somebody.
Perversity is their food and drink,
violence their drug of choice.

18-19
The ways of right-living people glow with light;
the longer they live, the brighter they shine.
But the road of wrongdoing gets darker and darker—
travellers can’t see a thing; they fall flat on their faces.

20-22
Dear friend, listen well to my words;
tune your ears to my voice.
Keep my message in plain view at all times.
Concentrate! Learn it by heart!
Those who discover these words live, really live;
body and soul, they’re bursting with health.

23-27
Keep vigilant watch over your heart;
that’s where life starts.
Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth;
avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip.
Keep your eyes straight ahead;
ignore all sideshow distractions.
Watch your step,
and the road will stretch out smooth before you.
Look neither right nor left;
leave evil in the dust.

Source

A similitude to doing good

70 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that your striving towards goodness to be of a similitude to doing good.

71 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that to be is to be knowledgeable, honourable, and generous.

72 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you generously give of your knowledge. Of your financial wealth will you spend freely for the health of those long in suffering.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 11

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.11

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 至人神

齧缺問乎王倪曰：
「子知物之所同是乎？」
曰：「吾惡乎知之！」
「子知子之所不知邪？」
曰：「吾惡乎知之！」
「然則物無知邪？」
曰：「吾惡乎知之！
雖然，嘗試言之。
庸詎知吾所謂知之非不知邪？
庸詎知吾所謂不知之非知邪？
且吾嘗試問乎女：
民溼寢則腰疾偏死，鰌然乎哉？
木處則惴慄恂懼，猨猴然乎哉？
三者孰知正處？
民食芻豢，麋鹿食薦，蝍且甘帶，鴟鴉耆鼠，四者孰知正味？
猨，猵狙以為雌，麋與鹿交，鰌與魚游。
毛嬙、麗姬，人之所美也，魚見之深入，鳥見之高飛，麋鹿見之決驟。
四者孰知天下之正色哉？
自我觀之，仁義之端，是非之塗，樊然殽亂，吾惡能知其辯！」
齧缺曰：
「子不知利害，則至人固不知利害乎？」
王倪曰：
「至人神矣：
大澤焚而不能熱，河、漢沍而不能寒，疾雷破山、風振海而不能驚。
若然者，乘雲氣，騎日月，而遊乎四海之外。
死生无變於己，而況利害之端乎！」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Pro-verbs 3

1-2
Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you;
take to heart my commands.
They’ll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.

3-4
Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck;
carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.

5-12
Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do,
everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honour God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don’t, dear friend, resent God’s discipline;
don’t sulk under his loving correction.
It’s the child he loves that God corrects;
a father’s delight is behind all this.

13-18
You’re blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She’s worth far more than money in the bank;
her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
her life wonderfully complete.
She’s the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.

19-20
With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth;
with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
and dew to descend from the night skies.

21-26
Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking
and Common Sense with your life;
don’t for a minute lose sight of them.
They’ll keep your soul alive and well,
they’ll keep you fit and attractive.
You’ll travel safely,
you’ll neither tire nor trip.
You’ll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you’ll enjoy a good night’s sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday’s just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you;
he’ll keep you safe and sound.

27-29
Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God’s hand for that person.
Don’t tell your neighbour “Maybe some other time”
or “Try me tomorrow”
when the money’s right there in your pocket.
Don’t figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbour
when he’s sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.

30-32
Don’t walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
always spoiling for a fight.
Don’t try to be like those who shoulder their way through life.
Why be a bully?
“Why not?” you say. Because God can’t stand twisted souls.
It’s the straightforward who get his respect.

33-35
God’s curse blights the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
but if you’re down on your luck, he’s right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honour;
stupid living gets the booby prize.

Source

In depths of soil or in niches in walls

67 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you grow your words of wisdom, and well being in depths of soil or in niches in walls.

68 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know there are hearts in the world that have been without rain for decades. Rain goodness their way.

69 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you benefit your family, community, country, and the world with your knowledge of goodness.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 10

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.10

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 天府

夫道未始有封，言未始有常，為是而有畛也。
請言其畛：有左，有右，有倫，有義，有分，有辯，有競，有爭，此之謂八德。
六合之外，聖人存而不論；六合之內，聖人論而不議。
春秋經世，先王之志，聖人議而不辯。
故分也者，有不分也；辯也者，有不辯也。
曰：何也？
聖人懷之，眾人辯之以相示也。
故曰：辯也者，有不見也。夫大道不稱，大辯不言，大仁不仁，大廉不嗛，大勇不忮。
道昭而不道，言辯而不及，仁常而不成，廉清而不信，勇忮而不成。
五者园而幾向方矣。
故知止其所不知，至矣。
孰知不言之辯，不道之道？若有能知，此之謂天府。
注焉而不滿，酌焉而不竭，而不知其所由來，此之謂葆光。 故昔者堯問於舜曰：「我欲伐宗、膾、胥敖，南面而不釋然。
其故何也？」
舜曰：「夫三子者，猶存乎蓬艾之間。
若不釋然，何哉？
昔者十日並出，萬物皆照，而況德之進乎日者乎！」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Pro-verbs 2

1-5
Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you;
collect my counsels and guard them with your life.
Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;
set your heart on a life of Understanding.
That’s right; if you make Insight your priority,
and won’t take no for an answer,
Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,
like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,
Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;
you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

6-8
And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free,
is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding.
He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well,
a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere.
He keeps his eye on all who live honestly,
and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.

9-15
So now you can pick out what’s true and fair,
find all the good trails!
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend,
and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion.
Good Sense will scout ahead for danger,
Insight will keep an eye out for you.
They’ll keep you from making wrong turns,
or following the bad directions
Of those who are lost themselves
and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed,
These losers who make a game of evil
and throw parties to celebrate perversity,
Traveling paths that go nowhere,
wandering in a maze of detours and dead ends.

16-19
Wise friends will rescue you from the Temptress;
that smooth-talking Seductress
Who’s faithless to the husband she married years ago,
never gave a second thought to her promises before God.
Her whole way of life is doomed;
every step she takes brings her closer to hell.
No one who joins her company ever comes back,
ever sets foot on the path to real living.

20-22
So; join the company of good men and women,
keep your feet on the tried-and-true paths.
It’s the men who walk straight who will settle this land,
the women with integrity who will last here.
The corrupt will lose their lives;
the dishonest will be gone for good.

Source

Flock your ideas

64 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let your words be fragrant.

65 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you flock your ideas together as do swallows high in the sky; as butterflies in a garden.

66 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you irrigate the parched world with your refreshing words.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 9

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.9

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 天地與我並生

天下莫大於秋豪之末，而大山為小；莫壽乎殤子，而彭祖為夭。 天地與我並生，而萬物與我為一。
既已為一矣，且得有言乎？
既已謂之一矣，且得無言乎？
一與言為二，二與一為三。
自此以往，巧歷不能得，而況其凡乎！
故自無適有，以至於三，而況自有適有乎！
無適焉，因是已。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Sage and thyme

61 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you send yourself as a teacher of goodness out into your world.

62 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let your words be like soft Irish summer rain.

63 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let your words be like sage and thyme.

© RmS 2016

Pro-verbs 1

1-6
These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
David’s son, Israel’s king.
Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn.
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

7
Start with God. The first step in learning is bowing down to God;
only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

8-19
Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you;
never forget what you learned at your mother’s knee.
Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair,
like rings on your fingers.
Dear friend, if bad companions tempt you,
don’t go along with them.
If they say “Let’s go out and raise some hell.
Let’s beat up some old man, mug some old woman.
Let’s pick them clean
and get them ready for their funerals.
We’ll load up on top-quality loot.
We’ll haul it home by the truckload.
Join us for the time of your life!
With us, it’s share and share alike!”
Oh, friend, don’t give them a second look;
don’t listen to them for a minute.
They’re racing to a very bad end,
hurrying to ruin everything they lay hands on.
Nobody robs a bank
with everyone watching,
Yet that’s what these people are doing;
they’re doing themselves in.
When you grab all you can get, that’s what happens:
the more you get, the less you are.

20-21
Lady Wisdom goes out in the street and shouts.
At the town center she makes her speech.
In the middle of the traffic she takes her stand.
At the busiest corner she calls out:

22-24
“Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance?
Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism?
Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?
About face! I can revise your life.
Look, I’m ready to pour out my spirit on you;
I’m ready to tell you all I know.
As it is, I’ve called, but you’ve turned a deaf ear;
I’ve reached out to you, but you’ve ignored me.

25-28
“Since you laugh at my counsel
and make a joke of my advice,
How can I take you seriously?
I’ll turn the tables and joke about your troubles!
What if the roof falls in,
and your whole life goes to pieces?
What if catastrophe strikes and there’s nothing
to show for your life but rubble and ashes?
You’ll need me then. You’ll call for me, but don’t expect
an answer.
No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me.

29-33
“Because you hated Knowledge
and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God,
Because you wouldn’t take my advice
and brushed aside all my offers to train you,
Well, you’ve made your bed; now lie in it;
you wanted your own way; now, how do you like it?
Don’t you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots?
Carelessness kills; complacency is murder.
First pay attention to me, and then relax.
Now you can take it easy; you’re in good hands.”

Source

One Green Field Ever Blooming

{Four Green Fields} - beautifully sung by Brian Kennedy
{Four Green Fields} - beautifully sung by The Dubliners

2 Zhuangzi 8

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.8

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 未知

今且有言於此，不知其與是類乎？
其與是不類乎？類與不類，相與為類，則與彼無以異矣。
雖然，請嘗言之。
有始也者，有未始有始也者，有未始有夫未始有始也者。
有有也者，有無也者，有未始有無也者，有未始有夫未始有無也者。
俄而有無矣，而未知有無之果孰有孰無也。
今我則已有謂矣，而未知吾所謂之其果有謂乎，其果無謂乎？

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Beautiful tradition

58 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you when you come across a beautiful tradition, willingly share it with the world.

59 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be open to good advice, and it into action put.

60 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you quickly welcome and receive good words; straightaway the rest reject.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 7

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.7

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 不用而寓諸庸

古之人，其知有所至矣。
惡乎至？
有以為未始有物者，至矣盡矣，不可以加矣。
其次以為有物矣，而未始有封也。
其次以為有封焉，而未始有是非也。
是非之彰也，道之所以虧也。
道之所以虧，愛之所以成。
果且有成與虧乎哉？
果且無成與虧乎哉？
有成與虧，故昭氏之鼓琴也；無成與虧，故昭氏之不鼓琴也。
昭文之鼓琴也，師曠之枝策也，惠子之據梧也，三子之知幾乎！
皆其盛者也，故載之末年。
唯其好之也，以異於彼，其好之也，欲以明之彼。
非所明而明之，故以堅白之昧終。
而其子又以文之綸終，終身無成。
若是而可謂成乎，雖我亦成也。
若是而不可謂成乎，物與我無成也。
是故滑疑之耀，聖人之所圖也。
為是不用而寓諸庸，此之謂以明。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Even the butterflies of the fields

55 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that doing yesterday’s work today is not yesterday’s but today’s. Live the day; do the day.

56 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you make a greater friendship with Nature.

57 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be goodness, and teach goodness. Even the butterflies of the fields will be pleased with you for doing so.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 6

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.6

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 和之以是非

以指喻指之非指，不若以非指喻指之非指也；以馬喻馬之非馬，不若以非馬喻馬之非馬也。
天地，一指也；萬物，一馬也。
可乎可，不可乎不可。
道行之而成，物謂之而然。
惡乎然？然於然。
惡乎不然？不然於不然。
物固有所然，物固有所可。
無物不然，無物不可。
故為是舉莛與楹，厲與西施，恢恑憰怪，道通為一。
其分也，成也；其成也，毀也。
凡物無成與毀，復通為一。
唯達者知通為一，為是不用而寓諸庸。
庸也者，用也；用也者，通也；通也者，得也。
適得而幾矣。
因是已。
已而不知其然，謂之道。 勞神明為一，而不知其同也，謂之朝三。
何謂朝三？
曰狙公賦芧，曰：
「朝三而莫四。」
眾狙皆怒。曰：
「然則朝四而莫三。」
眾狙皆悅。
名實未虧，而喜怒為用，亦因是也。
是以聖人和之以是非，而休乎天鈞，是之謂兩行。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Great of an age

52 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you acquire some knowledge on what it means to be a great of an age person. This knowledge generously share.

53 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that speaking words of wisdom and truth makes you an activist of the highest order.

54 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you learn how to be a marvellous presence to your family; to your community, country, and the world.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 5

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.5

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 樞始得其環中

物無非彼，物無非是。
自彼則不見，自知則知之。
故曰：
彼出於是，是亦因彼。
彼是，方生之說也。
雖然，方生方死，方死方生；方可方不可，方不可方可；因是因非，因非因是。
是以聖人不由，而照之于天，亦因是也。
是亦彼也，彼亦是也。
彼亦一是非，此亦一是非。
果且有彼是乎哉？
果且無彼是乎哉？
彼是莫得其偶，謂之道樞。
樞始得其環中，以應無窮。
是亦一無窮，非亦一無窮也。
故曰:
莫若以明

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

If you misguide yourself

49 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you beware of ignorant, arrogant, egoistic leaders; such as them who claim to know what is morally right.

50 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you avoid making any decision without knowledge.

51 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know if you misguide yourself, others will by you be misguided.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 4

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.4

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 莫若以明

夫隨其成心而師之，誰獨且無師乎？
奚必知代而心自取者有之？
愚者與有焉。
未成乎心而有是非，是今日適越而昔至也。
是以無有為有。
無有為有，雖有神禹，且不能知，吾獨且柰何哉！
夫言非吹也。
言者有言，其所言者特未定也。
果有言邪？
其未嘗有言邪？
其以為異於鷇音，亦有辯乎，其無辯乎？
道惡乎隱而有真偽？
言惡乎隱而有是非？
道惡乎往而不存？
言惡乎存而不可？
道隱於小成，言隱於榮華。
故有儒、墨之是非，以是其所非，而非其所是。
欲是其所非而非其所是，則莫若以明。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Greatest provider

46 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let your knowledge of goodness reach beyond yourself.

47 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know Nature to be the greatest provider of knowledge: freely giving, and not asking anything in return.

48 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know the knowledge you have to be both for you and others. Keep it not all for yourself.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 3

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.3

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 可行已信

非彼無我，非我無所取。
是亦近矣，而不知其所為使。
若有真宰，而特不得其眹。
可行已信，而不見其形，有情而無形。
百骸、九竅、六藏，賅而存焉，吾誰與為親？
汝皆說之乎？
其有私焉？
如是皆有，為臣妾乎，其臣妾不足以相治乎。
其遞相為君臣乎，其有真君存焉。
如求得其情與不得，無益損乎其真。
一受其成形，不亡以待盡。
與物相刃相靡，其行盡如馳，而莫之能止，不亦悲乎！
終身役役而不見其成功，苶然疲役而不知其所歸，可不哀邪！
人謂之不死，奚益？其形化，其心與之然，可不謂大哀乎？
人之生也，固若是芒乎！
其我獨芒，而人亦有不芒者乎！

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Terrestrial places

43 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you go observe; go learn something from Nature, and in your sharing of such knowledge will you be most generous.

44 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you truly live according to your acquired knowledge of goodness.

45 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know days to be terrestrial places. Wholeheartedly you will enter them.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 2

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.2

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 大知閑閑

大知閑閑，小知閒閒；大言炎炎，小言詹詹。
其寐也魂交，其覺也形開，與接為構，日以心鬭。
縵者，窖者，密者。
小恐惴惴，大恐縵縵。
其發若機栝，其司是非之謂也；其留如詛盟，其守勝之謂也；其殺如秋冬，以言其日消也；其溺之所為之，不可使復之也；其厭也如緘，以言其老洫也；近死之心，莫使復陽也。
喜怒哀樂，慮嘆變慹，姚佚啟態；樂出虛，蒸成菌。
日夜相代乎前，而莫知其所萌。
已乎已乎！
旦暮得此，其所由以生乎！

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Open-paged for the seekers of wisdom

40 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you call on Nature, and be Nature in goodness; goodness in thought, intention, silence, word, and action.

41 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be like Nature; a generous book of wisdom: open-paged for the seekers of wisdom.

42 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you in word and action give guidance on goodness to someone.

© RmS 2016

2 Zhuangzi 1

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 2.1

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 齊物論: 聞天籟

南郭子綦隱几而坐，仰天而噓，嗒焉似喪其耦。
顏成子游立侍乎前，曰：
「何居乎？
形固可使如槁木，而心固可使如死灰乎？
今之隱几者，非昔之隱几者也。」
子綦曰：
「偃，不亦善乎而問之也！
今者吾喪我，汝知之乎？
女聞人籟而未聞地籟，女聞地籟而未聞天籟夫！」
子游曰：
「敢問其方。」
子綦曰：
「夫大塊噫氣，其名為風。
是唯无作，作則萬竅怒呺。
而獨不聞之翏翏乎？
山林之畏佳，大木百圍之竅穴，似鼻，似口，似耳，似枅，似圈，似臼，似洼者，似污者；激者，謞者，叱者，吸者，叫者，譹者，宎者，咬者，前者唱于而隨者唱喁。
泠風則小和，飄風則大和，厲風濟則眾竅為虛。
而獨不見之調調、之刁刁乎？」
子游曰：
「地籟則眾竅是已，人籟則比竹是已。
敢問天籟。」
子綦曰：
「夫吹萬不同，而使其自已1也，咸其自取，怒者其誰邪！」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Memory making of the future

37 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you remember that the past only exists in your memory; the present is memory making of the future.

38 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you make known what needs to be made known; what needs for the time being to be concealed you will conceal.

39 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you share a piece of knowledge you received from your grandparents on how to respect everyone and everything.

© RmS 2016

1 Zhuangzi 7

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.7

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 何不樹

惠子謂莊子曰：
「吾有大樹，人謂之樗。
其大本擁腫而不中繩墨，其小枝卷曲而不中規矩，立之塗，匠者不顧。
今子之言，大而無用，眾所同去也。」
莊子曰：
「子獨不見狸狌乎？
卑身而伏，以候敖者；東西跳梁，不避高下；中於機辟，死於罔罟。
今夫斄牛，其大若垂天之雲。
此能為大矣，而不能執鼠。
今子有大樹，患其無用，何不樹之於無何有之鄉，廣莫之野，彷徨乎無為其側，逍遙乎寢臥其下？
不夭斤斧，物無害者，無所可用，安所困苦哉！」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

This time it will

34 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that for a healthy person to be letting themselves be deficient in intellect is a disgrace.

35 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you again encourage a friend to believe in themselves. This time it will make all the difference.

36 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you teach by your words, and guide by your example.

© RmS 2016

1 Zhuangzi 6

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.6

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 用之異

惠子謂莊子曰：
「魏王貽我大瓠之種，我樹之成而實五石，以盛水漿，其堅不能自舉也。
剖之以為瓢，則瓠落無所容。
非不呺然大也，吾為其無用而掊之。」
莊子曰：
「夫子固拙於用大矣。
宋人有善為不龜手之藥者，世世以洴澼絖為事。
客聞之，請買其方百金。
聚族而謀曰：
『我世世為洴澼絖，不過數金；今一朝而鬻技百金，請與之。』
客得之，以說吳王。
越有難，吳王使之將。
冬，與越人水戰，大敗越人，裂地而封之。
能不龜手一也，或以封，或不免於洴澼絖，則所用之異也。
今子有五石之瓠，何不慮以為大樽而浮乎江湖，而憂其瓠落無所容？
則夫子猶有蓬之心也夫！」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Differentiate

31 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you differentiate what is right from what is not right; what is superlative from what is trashy.

32 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you live in goodness; be well versed in goodness.

33 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be a nobler person than you were in days of your recent before.

© RmS 2016

1 Zhuangzi 5

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.5

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 藐姑射之山

肩吾問於連叔曰：
「吾聞言於接輿，大而無當，往而不反。
吾驚怖其言，猶河漢而無極也，大有逕庭，不近人情焉。」
連叔曰：
「其言謂何哉？」曰：「藐姑射之山，有神人居焉，肌膚若冰雪，淖約若處子，不食五穀，吸風飲露。乘雲氣，御飛龍，而遊乎四海之外。
其神凝，使物不疵癘而年穀熟。
吾以是狂而不信也。」
連叔曰：「然，瞽者無以與乎文章之觀，聾者無以與乎鍾鼓之聲。
豈唯形骸有聾盲哉？
夫知亦有之。
是其言也，猶時女也。
之人也，之德也，將旁礡萬物，以為一世蘄乎亂，孰弊弊焉以天下為事！之人也，物莫之傷，大浸稽天而不溺，大旱、金石流、土山焦而不熱。
是其塵垢粃糠，將猶陶鑄堯、舜者也，孰肯以物為事！
宋人資章甫而適諸越，越人斷髮文身，無所用之。
堯治天下之民，平海內之政，往見四子藐姑射之山，汾水之陽，窅然喪其天下焉。」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Culture yourself to be

28 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you understand the knowledge you seek.

29 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that to learn one thing about yourself will be better than learning a hundred things about world affairs.

30 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you culture yourself to be a learned person.

© RmS 2016

1 Zhuangzi 4

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.4

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 日月出

堯讓天下於許由，曰：
「日月出矣，而爝火不息，其於光也，不亦難乎！
時雨降矣，而猶浸灌，其於澤也，不亦勞乎！
夫子立而天下治，而我猶尸之，吾自視缺然，請致天下。」
許由曰：
「子治天下，天下既已治也。
而我猶代子，吾將為名乎？
名者，實之賓也，吾將為賓乎？
鷦鷯巢於深林，不過一枝；偃鼠飲河，不過滿腹。
歸休乎君！予無所用天下為。
庖人雖不治庖，尸祝不越樽俎而代之矣。」

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Benefit goodness

25 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you seek from Nature knowledge on how to benefit goodness.

26 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be both a seeker of knowledge and one sought for knowledge.

27 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that not seeking knowledge is not an option.

© RmS 2016

1 Zhuangzi 3

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.3

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 乘天地之正~御六氣之辯

故夫知效一官，行比一鄉，德合一君而徵一國者，其自視也亦若此矣。
而宋榮子猶然笑之。
且舉世而譽之而不加勸，舉世而非之而不加沮，定乎內外之分，辯乎榮辱之竟，斯已矣。
彼其於世，未數數然也。
雖然，猶有未樹也。
夫列子御風而行，泠然善也，旬有五日而後反。
彼於致福者，未數數然也。此雖免乎行，猶有所待者也。
若夫乘天地之正，而御六氣之辯，以遊無窮者，彼且惡乎待哉！
故曰：至人無己，神人無功，聖人無名。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

1 Zhuangzi 2

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.2

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 窮髮之北

湯之問棘也是已。
窮髮之北，有冥海者，天池也。
有魚焉，其廣數千里，未有知其脩者，其名為鯤。
有鳥焉，其名為鵬，背若泰山，翼若垂天之雲，摶扶搖羊角而上者九萬里，絕雲氣，負青天，然後圖南，且適南冥也。
斥鴳笑之曰：「彼且奚適也？我騰躍而上，不過數仞而下，翱翔蓬蒿之間，此亦飛之至也。而彼且奚適也？」
此小大之辯也。

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

1 Zhuangzi 1

A reading from the Book of Zhuangzi, chapter 1.1

《莊子 - Zhuangzi》 - 逍遙遊: 北冥有魚

北冥有魚，其名為鯤。
鯤之大，不知其幾千里也。
化而為鳥，其名為鵬。
鵬之背，不知其幾千里也；怒而飛，其翼若垂天之雲。
是鳥也，海運則將徙於南冥。
南冥者，天池也。齊諧者，志怪者也。
諧之言曰：「鵬之徙於南冥也，水擊三千里，摶扶搖而上者九萬里，去以六月息者也。」
野馬也，塵埃也，生物之以息相吹也。
天之蒼蒼，其正色邪？
其遠而無所至極邪？
其視下也亦若是，則已矣。 且夫水之積也不厚，則負大舟也無力。
覆杯水於坳堂之上，則芥為之舟，置杯焉則膠，水淺而舟大也。
風之積也不厚，則其負大翼也無力。 故九萬里則風斯在下矣，而後乃今培風；背負青天而莫之夭閼者，而後乃今將圖南。
蜩與學鳩笑之曰：「我決起而飛，槍1榆、枋，時則不至而控於地而已矣，奚以之九萬里而南為？」
適莽蒼者三湌而反，腹猶果然；適百里者宿舂糧；適千里者三月聚糧。
之二蟲又何知！
小知不及大知，小年不及大年。
奚以知其然也？
朝菌不知晦朔，蟪蛄不知春秋，此小年也。
楚之南有冥靈者，以五百歲為春，五百歲為秋；上古有大椿者，以八千歲為春，八千歲為秋。
而彭祖乃今以久特聞，眾人匹之，不亦悲乎！

Text source courtesy: http://ctext.org/zhuangzi

Presence of knowledgeable people

22 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know your ignorant self likes to put down your knowledgeable self, for to remain ignorant is a whole lot easier.

23 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you put yourself in the presence of knowledgeable people.

24 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you reflectively observe Nature. You won’t be going around as if you can’t see It.

© RmS 2016

Treasure house

19 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know knowledge of Nature to be a treasure house; a key to It being observation.

20 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be remaining not contented with your own ignorance; you will overturn it.

21 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you being knowledgeable of how to bring about a greater peace in the world, will share it with the world.

© RmS 2016

Seek knowledge

16 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know it is better to learn something about something than not.

17 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you seek knowledge even if you haven’t a book in your dwelling. Seek knowledge.

18 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let the seeking of knowledge be a responsibility that you place upon yourself.

© RmS 2016

Path leading to goodness

13 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you guide your thoughts, intentions, silences, words, and actions along a path leading to goodness.

14 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you let the fields, rivers, trees, deserts, and high blue sky cheer for you: the seeker of their knowledge.

15 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that better than worrying; better than complaining or praying all day long over something, is to go and gain some knowledge on how best to deal with it.

© RmS 2016

Who wouldn’t be learned?

10 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that if being born learned were common to everyone, then who wouldn’t be learned? Learning has to be acquired.

11 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you culture yourself with the knowledge found in the book: Nature.

12 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you seek the path of acquiring the kind of knowledge that is being day-nightly presented to you by Nature.

© RmS 2016

Enjoyment of learning is for the living

7 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you in living enjoy the fruits of learning. The enjoyment of learning is for the living.

8 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know there is no time either in the past or in the future that is better and more lasting than this given moment.

9 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you seek knowledge of goodness; in goodness will you be.

© RmS 2016

Cannot be an acceptable option

4 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that being satisfied with ignorance; with our own ignorance cannot be an acceptable option.

5 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you provide yourself with knowledge of what it means to be a truly noble human being.

6 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you be happy progenitors of goodness; active seekers of knowledge of goodness.

© RmS 2016

Knowledge just doesn’t happen

1 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know knowledge just doesn’t happen; it is dependent upon our efforts.

2 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know that life is recounted both with knowledge and ignorance; recounted by the learned and the illiterate.

3 ¶ Of a today ~ coming in over the near and far away, will you know we were born to be knowledgeable; born to teach ourselves to know, and to let ourselves be taught how to know.

© RmS 2016

You and Me

You are emerging from me with absolute trust in me. As close to you as your breath do you know me to be.

You are growing in me carefreely. Hidden to you do I appear to be.

You are trusting in me with all your heart. Everywhere do you sense me with you to be.

You are remembering with gratitude and joy the days and nights of you and me. Returning soon to me do you know you will be.


Captions ©RmS 2016
The Voyage of Life series of paintings by Thomas Cole (1801-1848)
Images courtesy: The Voyage of Life

Visit the home of Thomas Cole in the village of Catskill, New York at the foot of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley.

Fragrant palms

A complimentary alchemistical conversation metaformed by Richard Mc Sweeney of the enchanting isle of Éire while listening to a certain image.

Image courtesy: http://www.annabonitatibus.com

Fragrant palms

How to loveliness is the life, Riccardo of the beautiful
   woman within me ever smiling through.
Blessings unto the land of my birth; yes, love my Italy
   I do more than She the morning sunshine playing
   on the lapping waves about her curvaceous shore.
Take my hand and let us to be in the courtyard of Mozart
   played out by the shimmering streams of no time.
Truth to glory, but being independent in thought
   is my priority to voice delight in the encounter with
   margins in the regions of the most high balcony.
Long to love to live to live to love a thousand times
   brought to the humanity of one to a hundred and one
   dreams all coming through in the windmills of fearful
   humility casting itself into the future of the past.
Ever and ever, Anna in the grandest fields of love will you be;
   helplessly there will you be with falling joyfully into the great
   heights of meandering valleys following themselves about
   daily in the fragrant palms of your happiness.
Look there to them and see - it is as I am
   saying to you it will be.

©RmS 2016 Sunday, 3rd January 2016