So the unwanting soul sees what's hidden, and the ever-wanting soul sees only what it wants.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that those who desire less can perceive deeper truths, while those driven by desire only focus on their wants.
Laozi's quote reflects the duality of perception shaped by human desire. The 'unwanting soul' represents a person who is content and thus capable of seeing beyond superficial layers, uncovering hidden insights about life and existence. In contrast, the 'ever-wanting soul' symbolizes someone consumed by their desires, limiting their perspective to a narrow view that only acknowledges what they personally wish to see. This idea encourages a mindset of detachment to attain greater understanding.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a meditation group discussion to emphasize the value of inner peace.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
People talk about places like Mumbai as a tale of two cities, as if the rich and poor don't have anything to do with each other.
One of the deepest motives (as you are aware) in the human beast (so deep that many have failed to detect it) is Alliteration.
The whole world is a theatre for the display of the divine goodness, wisdom, justice, and power, but the Church is the orchestra, as it wereβthe most conspicuous part of it; and the nearer the approaches are that God makes to us, the more intimate and condescending the communication of his benefits, the more attentively are we called to consider them.
You experience that you are cut off by being in your mind, and there is a quality that is starving in an individual that is locked in their mind. So when you move to another plane of consciousness which is no longer controlled by your intellect, which is really the sub-system and you move into the meta-system, what you feel at that moment is... you are the universe, you feel merged with it, you feel thick with the moment, and that richness is so fulfilling.
The piercing nail has become a key to unlock the door, that I may see the good will of the Lord. And what can I see as I look through the hole? Both the nail and the wound cry out that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself... Through these sacred wounds we can see the secret of his heart, the great mystery of love.
Believing there's no God means I can't really be forgiven except by kindness and faulty memories. That's good; it makes me want to be more thoughtful. I have to try to treat people right the first time around.
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