In ancient China there was a dead tortoise shell kept in the palace as a symbol of the emperor. When Lao Tzu was asked about politics like his rival Confucius focused on he replied that it was better to be a turtle dragging its tail in the mud, than a dead one in a great palace.
Lao Tzu in the Tao Te taught to be satisfied with things as they are, to let go of the strife of trying to control things that we have no power over, to seek knowledge of yourself, to live with kindness, and to enjoy life in the present while you have it.
Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.
At the center of your being
you have the answer;
you know who you are
and you know what you want.
you have the answer;
you know who you are
and you know what you want.
If the force of arms is considered the only means of authority, it is not an auspicious instrument.
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.
Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself makes you fearless.
If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question.
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
To know when you have enough is to be rich.
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.
Your own positive future begins in this moment. All you have is right now. Every goal is possible from here.
Manifest plainness,
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
Embrace simplicity,
Reduce selfishness,
Have few desires.
