Find Your Middle Ground

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Inspiration – Knowing

This repost just about sums it up for me today. Its one of my favorite passages from the Tao Te Ching.

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“Knowing the world is intelligent.
Knowing yourself is enlightenment.

Bending the world to your will takes force.
Willing yourself to bend is true strength.

Succeeding in the world yields riches.
Being content with what is yields wealth.

Apply Tao to the physical world and you will have a long life.
See past the physical world to the enduring presence of Tao and death will lose its meaning.”*

 

New to Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching? Read more about it here and here.

* Translation by Braun Jr., John; Tzu, Lao; von Bargen, Julian; Warkentin, David (2012-12-02). Tao Te Ching (Kindle Locations 492-499). . Kindle Edition.

Val T Boyko
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33 responses to “Inspiration – Knowing”

  1. Paul Handover Avatar
    Paul Handover

    Wonderful reminder! Knowing, and liking, oneself is both enlightenment and contentment. (Mind you, easier said than done!)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thanks Paul for embracing this reminder today. Some days it just feels so good to rise above the daily drama of others and the media 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Healing Grief Avatar
    Healing Grief

    I read this exact quote in my Meditation class this morning Val. Love it. Im in sync! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      In synch – in deed – in appreciation!
      Val x

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. dianasschwenk Avatar
    dianasschwenk

    We are so accustomed to trying to bend the world to our will, a product of society? Thanks for sharing this thoughtful post Val. ❤
    Diana xo

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      I always love your questions Diana! Thank you ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. pattyalcala Avatar
    pattyalcala

    What an inspiring quote. Thank you for sharing..

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Glad you enjoyed it Patty!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  5. Louise Gallagher Avatar
    Louise Gallagher

    I love how there is such balance and expansion in each of the statements. Lovely.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Your words are really resonate with the message of the Tao Louise. Balance and expansion and connection is what It is al about 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  6. David Kanigan Avatar
    David Kanigan

    “willing yourself to bend is true strength”

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      You spotted that one too. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. nrhatch Avatar
    nrhatch

    Lovely. Calm self-awareness allows the Tao to surface and illuminate our journey as the path unfolds before us.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Indeed Nancy! Before us and within us. The Tao is one. 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. Jewels Avatar
    Jewels

    Wow… so much wisdom here indeed. Love this…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Every time I come back to the Tao there is more wisdom revealed. Glad you enjoyed it Julie!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jewels Avatar
        Jewels

        So simple yet so profound…

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  9. Sue Dreamwalker Avatar
    Sue Dreamwalker

    Amazing words which remind us all the power lies within .. Thank you Val…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Thank you Sue! So glad it resonated with you. xo

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. elizabeth2560 Avatar
    elizabeth2560

    Willing myself to bend… now there is a challenge
    But perhaps a lot easier than to try and keep bending the world to suit me.
    thanks

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Its worth exploring Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Kate @ Did That Just Happen? Avatar
    Kate @ Did That Just Happen?

    Ack! Okay, now that was timely! Just yesterday I stated that it’s no wonder I never find my zen place with how my life goes (Not as a complaint, more of a joke, really, it was quite funny in context) but it’s true, I’m the one that frequently doesn’t adapt and doesn’t bend – this is a good reminder that I’m on the right path to become who I want to be! Thanks Val!!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Keep flexing Kate … Laughing at ourselves along the way is good

      Like

      Reply
  12. smilecalm Avatar
    smilecalm

    breathing in
    I bend
    breathing out
    gratitude 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      🙏

      Like

      Reply
  13. Infinite Living Avatar
    Infinite Living

    Always amazing to read from these profound texts!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Repetition of wisdom is always welcome to me as well. Thank you P.D.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Infinite Living Avatar
        Infinite Living

        I so appreciate repetition too, unravels more layers of learning.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Val Boyko Avatar
          Val Boyko

          Yes! With each expression we open up a little more to the deeper meaning 🙏

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
  14. D. Wallace Peach Avatar
    D. Wallace Peach

    Some of my favorite reading. I love the way Lao Tzu’s writings invite an opening of perception, and contemplation of the deeper meaning. Thanks for sharing, Val. I have to find my copy now.

    Like

    Reply
  15. Inner stars Avatar
    Inner stars

    “Great words” but the application of it is all important.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Val Boyko Avatar
      Val Boyko

      Very true 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. tylaskye Avatar
    tylaskye

    Beautiful ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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