some Perspective from “Kung Fu” … (06/03/11)
Prizing Peace above victory …
“Men do not beat drums before they hunt for tigers … The true power of the mind can be released only after [while] the body has been disciplined … If one’s words are no better than silence, one should keep silent.”
“Never assume that just because a man has no eyes, he cannot still See … Fear is the only darkness.”
“There are two kinds of strength … The outer strength is obvious. It fades with age and succumbs to sickness. Then there is the chi, the inner strength … Everyone possesses it as well, though it is much more difficult to develop. The inner strength persists through every heat and every cold; through old age — and beyond.”
“All creatures are one with Nature. If we have the Wisdom [i.e. the Humility] to learn from them, all can teach us their Virtues. Between the fragile beauty of the praying mantis and the power of the tiger, there is no discord … Between the supple silence of the snake and the eagle’s talons, there is only harmony. Despite some appearances to the contrary, no two elements of Nature are ever in conflict … Thus, when we choose to truly perceive the ways of Nature, we act accordingly … And when we act accordingly, we remove conflict from ourselves and discover a harmony of body and mind in perfect accord with the overall Flow of the Universe.”
“Perceive the Way of Nature, and no force of Man can harm you … Do not meet a wave head on — avoid it. You do not have to stop an opposing force … It is much easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve, rather than to destroy … When presented with the desire to kill, choose to maim … When presented with the desire to maim, choose to harm … When presented with the desire to harm, choose to resist … When presented with the desire to resist, choose to check … When presented with the desire to check, choose to avoid … And when presented with the desire to avoid, choose to be Kind … For all Life is precious, nor can any be replaced.” ~ from the TV series “Kung Fu”, starring David Carradine
The question is not how I have come to remember these things, but rather how you have come to forget them …
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