Reading Sean's comments on the compassion thread and his reference to
the Chinese Generals remark ("To know and not to act, is not to know"--or
some approximation of that sort) sparked a thought about Lao Tsu's call
for "non-action". For example:
Verse Forty-eight of the Tao Te Ching
In the pursuit of learning, every day something is acquired.
In the pursuit of Tao, every day something is dropped.
Less and less is done
Until non-action is achieved.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
The world is ruled by letting things take their course.
It cannot be ruled by interfering.
Translation by Gia-fu Feng, 1972
"Tao" could be roughly translated as "the way" of nature or "the natural
path" of the universe. This sort of perception is at the heart of Lao
Tsu's message and seems relevent to the theme of compassion for more than
just the human experience....
Any connections?
Tobin Quereau
quereau@austin.cc.tx.us