Post by Kivawolfspeaker on May 22, 2006 8:27:33 GMT -5
Tao Living: The Architect
by Derek Lin
There was an architect who had worked for many years at a construction company. Throughout his career, he had designed and built many houses and buildings for the company, and now he was getting ready to retire.
One day, the CEO summoned him into the executive office. "You've done great work for us over the years; now I have one last job for you before you retire," the CEO said.
"I want you to design the best house possible and take charge of the entire project from beginning to end. I have already picked a prime location. All you have to do is purchase the best material and hire the most experienced construction crew to build it. Spare no expense!"
The architect saw this as an opportunity. If he were the only one in charge of the project, then no one else would know if he took a few liberties here and there. Now that he was about to retire, this would be the last chance for him to make a little extra money.
The architect requested a lavish budget but spent only a portion of it on lower-grade material and the least expensive workers available. In order to save on labor costs, he rushed the project to completion. Then he reported to the CEO that he was done with his last job.
"Great!" the CEO beamed. "Let's go take a look."
When they arrived at the house, the architect was surprised to see all of his coworkers outside, admiring and commenting on his design. He did not panic, because the house was locked, so no one could go inside to take a closer look. The architect knew all the tricks of the trade and he had used them to make the house look good on the outside. He was not concerned.
The CEO gathered everyone together and cleared his throat: "As you all know, the architect has done great work for us over the years, and now he is ready to retire. This house is his final masterpiece."
He presented the house key to the architect and announced: "The best way for us to thank him for his years of dedicated service – is to give this masterpiece to him as the perfect retirement present!"
As everyone erupted in wild applause, the architect stood in stunned disbelief.
When we assume mortal form and come into this world, we have a special opportunity. Just as the architect took on the job to build the best house possible, we have the opportunity to create the best life possible.
The material plane is the prime location where we work on this opportunity. Our task is really not that difficult, because we have the power to acquire the best resources available, as well as a built-in ability to direct tremendous energy into the project. We have everything we need to do a good job. Our mandate is clear: Spare no expense in building a great life!
The trouble is, we soon figure out we're the ones in charge of this life construction project. We take sole responsibility from beginning to end. On the one hand, this means we are free to design the project as we please, and manage the work as we see fit. It's a freedom that can be wonderful and exhilarating. On the other hand, it can also mean that ultimately there is no one around to demand the best from us or to impose discipline. This is why we often take shortcuts or slack off even when we know we shouldn't. If no one is watching, it's okay, right?
We fall into this trap of behaving as if we are building ourselves for the sake of others. We create an image for other people to perceive. Perhaps we diligently study religious doctrines in order to seem pious; perhaps we correct others in order to cultivate an appearance of knowledge; perhaps we work at projecting indifference in order to show how "cool" we are.
This trap reinforces our tendency to give in to inertia or take the easy way out. Since we are only interested in looking good on the outside, it doesn't matter if we are sloppy and careless on the inside. Thus the appearance of piety may be a mask for the lack of true spiritual understanding; the assertion of knowledge may be a front for ignorant arrogance; the projection of "coolness" may be a disguise for hidden desperation.
One day, we may wake up to the realization that all this time, when we thought we were working for others, we were in fact working for ourselves. Just like the architect, when we give less of ourselves than we are truly capable of giving, we are not cheating other people – we shortchange only ourselves.
Luckily for us, we are unlike the architect in that we are not about to retire. When we figure out that we are in fact our own boss and customer all rolled into one, we can stop sabotaging ourselves the way that the architect sabotaged himself.
At that level of awareness, it no longer matters who may be watching us or what people may think of us. We persist in spiritual cultivation even when – or especially when – no one can see what we're doing.
The last lines from chapter 59 of Tao Te Ching illustrate this teaching clearly:
With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting
This is called deep roots and firm foundation
The Tao of longevity and lasting vision
If we focus on the external world as most people do, the facades we build cannot last. If we direct our attention inward as Tao sages do, we connect with the principle of power.
A house that is solidly built from the inside out is truly strong and withstands the test of time. Similarly, those who plant deep spiritual roots and set firm spiritual foundations within are also building themselves from the inside out. They possess true strength; they can be everlasting.
With the Tao to guide us, we become literally the architects of our own destiny. With the best material – love, gratitude, joy, humility – and the most experienced crew – spiritual wisdom of the sages – we can make that destiny a true masterpiece!
From www.truetao.org
by Derek Lin
There was an architect who had worked for many years at a construction company. Throughout his career, he had designed and built many houses and buildings for the company, and now he was getting ready to retire.
One day, the CEO summoned him into the executive office. "You've done great work for us over the years; now I have one last job for you before you retire," the CEO said.
"I want you to design the best house possible and take charge of the entire project from beginning to end. I have already picked a prime location. All you have to do is purchase the best material and hire the most experienced construction crew to build it. Spare no expense!"
The architect saw this as an opportunity. If he were the only one in charge of the project, then no one else would know if he took a few liberties here and there. Now that he was about to retire, this would be the last chance for him to make a little extra money.
The architect requested a lavish budget but spent only a portion of it on lower-grade material and the least expensive workers available. In order to save on labor costs, he rushed the project to completion. Then he reported to the CEO that he was done with his last job.
"Great!" the CEO beamed. "Let's go take a look."
When they arrived at the house, the architect was surprised to see all of his coworkers outside, admiring and commenting on his design. He did not panic, because the house was locked, so no one could go inside to take a closer look. The architect knew all the tricks of the trade and he had used them to make the house look good on the outside. He was not concerned.
The CEO gathered everyone together and cleared his throat: "As you all know, the architect has done great work for us over the years, and now he is ready to retire. This house is his final masterpiece."
He presented the house key to the architect and announced: "The best way for us to thank him for his years of dedicated service – is to give this masterpiece to him as the perfect retirement present!"
As everyone erupted in wild applause, the architect stood in stunned disbelief.
When we assume mortal form and come into this world, we have a special opportunity. Just as the architect took on the job to build the best house possible, we have the opportunity to create the best life possible.
The material plane is the prime location where we work on this opportunity. Our task is really not that difficult, because we have the power to acquire the best resources available, as well as a built-in ability to direct tremendous energy into the project. We have everything we need to do a good job. Our mandate is clear: Spare no expense in building a great life!
The trouble is, we soon figure out we're the ones in charge of this life construction project. We take sole responsibility from beginning to end. On the one hand, this means we are free to design the project as we please, and manage the work as we see fit. It's a freedom that can be wonderful and exhilarating. On the other hand, it can also mean that ultimately there is no one around to demand the best from us or to impose discipline. This is why we often take shortcuts or slack off even when we know we shouldn't. If no one is watching, it's okay, right?
We fall into this trap of behaving as if we are building ourselves for the sake of others. We create an image for other people to perceive. Perhaps we diligently study religious doctrines in order to seem pious; perhaps we correct others in order to cultivate an appearance of knowledge; perhaps we work at projecting indifference in order to show how "cool" we are.
This trap reinforces our tendency to give in to inertia or take the easy way out. Since we are only interested in looking good on the outside, it doesn't matter if we are sloppy and careless on the inside. Thus the appearance of piety may be a mask for the lack of true spiritual understanding; the assertion of knowledge may be a front for ignorant arrogance; the projection of "coolness" may be a disguise for hidden desperation.
One day, we may wake up to the realization that all this time, when we thought we were working for others, we were in fact working for ourselves. Just like the architect, when we give less of ourselves than we are truly capable of giving, we are not cheating other people – we shortchange only ourselves.
Luckily for us, we are unlike the architect in that we are not about to retire. When we figure out that we are in fact our own boss and customer all rolled into one, we can stop sabotaging ourselves the way that the architect sabotaged himself.
At that level of awareness, it no longer matters who may be watching us or what people may think of us. We persist in spiritual cultivation even when – or especially when – no one can see what we're doing.
The last lines from chapter 59 of Tao Te Ching illustrate this teaching clearly:
With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting
This is called deep roots and firm foundation
The Tao of longevity and lasting vision
If we focus on the external world as most people do, the facades we build cannot last. If we direct our attention inward as Tao sages do, we connect with the principle of power.
A house that is solidly built from the inside out is truly strong and withstands the test of time. Similarly, those who plant deep spiritual roots and set firm spiritual foundations within are also building themselves from the inside out. They possess true strength; they can be everlasting.
With the Tao to guide us, we become literally the architects of our own destiny. With the best material – love, gratitude, joy, humility – and the most experienced crew – spiritual wisdom of the sages – we can make that destiny a true masterpiece!
From www.truetao.org