I covered some basics yesterday and wanted to touch back on it.
On the matter of expenses, to help manage you money divide your bills by the number of pay periods each month. Meaning, if you get paid weekly, divide by four, bi-weekly by two. This will more reliably balance your money and will also provide you two months of the year where you receive full paychecks to spend as you see fit.
On the matter of minimalism outside the materialistic, devote your life to simplicity. Find innovative ways to fill your time and replace the need for external devices. Want to work out, you don't need a treadmill, go outside. Want to do major cardio, go to a kids playground, you can do incline push ups, dips, and pull ups with ease. Minimalism is merely another word for simplicity.
Simplify your life and you will be burdened by less. With less burden it will be easier to face your problems... to face yourself. When you are ready to face yourself, you can begin to change. And when you accept the cycle of change, the world itself will change with you.
Showing posts with label Tao. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tao. Show all posts
9/16/10
9/13/10
Time Saved is Time Lost.
We are surrounding by thousands of offers to help us save time. We apparently have no time to do anything we want to do anymore. A new app, device, or product is what we need to have a more manageable and easy life.
Take a moment. Think about it. How much more time are these things actually getting you... And how much more time are you wasting on them? Time cannot be saved. You can't miraculous store it for later use. All you can do is stop wasting it and plan the use of it better.
The only way to truly gain time is to stop wasting your time. No device is going to miraculously make you stop procrastinating. No app is going to make you stop watching TV and go exercise.
You only need yourself to make these changes. You can make the time if you stop trying to rely on outside influences to fix it all. Simplify, eliminate the unnecessary and you will find freedom to do what you haven't been able to.
Take a moment. Think about it. How much more time are these things actually getting you... And how much more time are you wasting on them? Time cannot be saved. You can't miraculous store it for later use. All you can do is stop wasting it and plan the use of it better.
The only way to truly gain time is to stop wasting your time. No device is going to miraculously make you stop procrastinating. No app is going to make you stop watching TV and go exercise.
You only need yourself to make these changes. You can make the time if you stop trying to rely on outside influences to fix it all. Simplify, eliminate the unnecessary and you will find freedom to do what you haven't been able to.
9/12/10
Oh my, God.
The concept of god always left me at a loss, so many things felt right, so many wrong.
I found peace in a greater understanding. Tao must be an absolute entity.
ab·so·lute /ˈæbsəˌlut, ˌæbsəˈlut/
–adjective
1. free from imperfection; complete; perfect:
2. not mixed or adulterated; pure:
3. complete; outright:
4. free from restriction or limitation; not limited in any way:
5. unrestrained or unlimited by a constitution, counterbalancing group, etc., in the exercise of governmental power, esp. when arbitrary or despotic:
6. viewed independently; not comparative or relative; ultimate; intrinsic:
To be absolute, Tao cannot be compared to anything else. If anything were separate from Tao then Tao would not be absolute. All things are part of Tao and Tao exists because of all things.
Tao cannot create a rock it cannot move, as it does not create or move. Tao merely is. Both the rock and the movement of it are part of Tao. We are free to act as we see fit, for Tao does not control us. Tao only provides guidance when we open ourselves to its wisdom.
Tao is the Heaven, the Earth, and the emptiness in between. Tao is our mind, our body, and our soul. To reach perfection is to become one again with Tao.
Understanding this concept made me a man of faith, though I am not a religious man.
Now, take the time to replace every instance of Tao with the word God. May it help you find peace.
I found peace in a greater understanding. Tao must be an absolute entity.
ab·so·lute /ˈæbsəˌlut, ˌæbsəˈlut/
–adjective
1. free from imperfection; complete; perfect:
2. not mixed or adulterated; pure:
3. complete; outright:
4. free from restriction or limitation; not limited in any way:
5. unrestrained or unlimited by a constitution, counterbalancing group, etc., in the exercise of governmental power, esp. when arbitrary or despotic:
6. viewed independently; not comparative or relative; ultimate; intrinsic:
To be absolute, Tao cannot be compared to anything else. If anything were separate from Tao then Tao would not be absolute. All things are part of Tao and Tao exists because of all things.
Tao cannot create a rock it cannot move, as it does not create or move. Tao merely is. Both the rock and the movement of it are part of Tao. We are free to act as we see fit, for Tao does not control us. Tao only provides guidance when we open ourselves to its wisdom.
Tao is the Heaven, the Earth, and the emptiness in between. Tao is our mind, our body, and our soul. To reach perfection is to become one again with Tao.
Understanding this concept made me a man of faith, though I am not a religious man.
Now, take the time to replace every instance of Tao with the word God. May it help you find peace.
9/11/10
Forget what I said...
Nothing is more precious than the words you have forgotten. We focus so much on acquiring knowledge at the expense of developing the comprehension and understanding that comes with it. We are a society coming to a summit of intelligence, while we suffer under the general lack of wisdom to utilize it.
Explain how to walk, how to talk, how to listen. All of these tasks have become a very essence of who you are, you developed these skills by action, instinct, and support, the words that guided you mean nothing compared to the comprehension you have.
Do not let yourself be hung up upon the words that taught you to be, let those words become a part of who you are so that you may be the font of insight, not a mindless parrot repeating words given to you.
Forget the words, inherit the meaning.
Understand nothing and know everything.
Know nothing and can understand everything.
Explain how to walk, how to talk, how to listen. All of these tasks have become a very essence of who you are, you developed these skills by action, instinct, and support, the words that guided you mean nothing compared to the comprehension you have.
Do not let yourself be hung up upon the words that taught you to be, let those words become a part of who you are so that you may be the font of insight, not a mindless parrot repeating words given to you.
Forget the words, inherit the meaning.
Understand nothing and know everything.
Know nothing and can understand everything.
9/10/10
My Glass is Half-Empty
There is an old story about a scholar and a sage, here's my telling of how I remember it.
An educated scholar went east to learn wisdom from a renowned Taoist Sage. They sat for tea and the Scholar went on and on explaining all he had studied and telling the sage all he knew about wisdom and the Tao.
The Sage began pouring the Scholar tea while listening to the words. As the tea started pouring out of the cup and filling the saucer the Scholar shouted out.
"Why are you doing this?"
The Sage replied "You must first empty your cup if you wish to learn anything."
The reason I reference this story is to discuss emptiness. We fill our minds and bodies up to overflowing, constantly trying to show the world we are worth their respect. Absorb the knowledge and let it leave you, remember the meaning and let the words go.
As you become more skilled at a task, you forget the words that taught you how to do it and find your own explanation. A flute is made of value, not by the outside, but by the emptiness within.. Make yourself a vessel to fill, let the winds of life blow through you and make your life music. You grow from the music and let it pass through you having enriched yourself and the world around you with the experience.
An educated scholar went east to learn wisdom from a renowned Taoist Sage. They sat for tea and the Scholar went on and on explaining all he had studied and telling the sage all he knew about wisdom and the Tao.
The Sage began pouring the Scholar tea while listening to the words. As the tea started pouring out of the cup and filling the saucer the Scholar shouted out.
"Why are you doing this?"
The Sage replied "You must first empty your cup if you wish to learn anything."
The reason I reference this story is to discuss emptiness. We fill our minds and bodies up to overflowing, constantly trying to show the world we are worth their respect. Absorb the knowledge and let it leave you, remember the meaning and let the words go.
As you become more skilled at a task, you forget the words that taught you how to do it and find your own explanation. A flute is made of value, not by the outside, but by the emptiness within.. Make yourself a vessel to fill, let the winds of life blow through you and make your life music. You grow from the music and let it pass through you having enriched yourself and the world around you with the experience.
Pixels of Sand
Working on nothing and the pixels of sand slowly fall away on a digital hourglass. Time loses meaning and we lose the day. Take your time back, don't let it flow away.
We spend so much time being 'productive', only to realize we got nothing done. We spend so much time trying to be efficient, that we don't get what we want.
At the end of the day, record what you did. See how little you accomplished. Now write down what you want to do tomorrow. As you go through the day, remember what you want to do and do it. Seems simple enough, yet we will find pointless things to do instead of what we want to do and time will slip away.
Take 10 minutes to exercise, Take 20 minutes to relax, Take 30 minutes to Create, Take 30 minutes to Shower, Take 30 minutes to clean your house. These are all seemingly meaningless things in the grand scheme, but taking Two Hours everyday to improve your day will change everything.
We spend so much time being 'productive', only to realize we got nothing done. We spend so much time trying to be efficient, that we don't get what we want.
At the end of the day, record what you did. See how little you accomplished. Now write down what you want to do tomorrow. As you go through the day, remember what you want to do and do it. Seems simple enough, yet we will find pointless things to do instead of what we want to do and time will slip away.
Take 10 minutes to exercise, Take 20 minutes to relax, Take 30 minutes to Create, Take 30 minutes to Shower, Take 30 minutes to clean your house. These are all seemingly meaningless things in the grand scheme, but taking Two Hours everyday to improve your day will change everything.
9/9/10
Alone with my Tribe.
We are a tribal people in a world that offers us masses and solitude. We struggle to build our community and when we are forced to leave it, spend too much time away from it, or put up with those that want to destroy our delicate infrastructure, we seek solitude.
Nothing feels more satisfying the to be part of a greater whole, not just a person around a group of people, but to feel a part of it. Nothing feels worse to be alone in the crowd, to be looked upon as an outsider as you try and fit in. It oft times leads us to exile ourselves from people, become a full outsider and be safe in our hermit like caves.
I challenge you as I challenge myself today. Build your tribe, connect with those with similar interests, support them, get to know them. Do this without expecting friendship, or even them to care. If enough of us try and build connections with those around us without fear or worry about rejection we will eventually come together as a tribe.
If nothing else, you take the chance to meet some people and might make a friend or two.
Nothing feels more satisfying the to be part of a greater whole, not just a person around a group of people, but to feel a part of it. Nothing feels worse to be alone in the crowd, to be looked upon as an outsider as you try and fit in. It oft times leads us to exile ourselves from people, become a full outsider and be safe in our hermit like caves.
I challenge you as I challenge myself today. Build your tribe, connect with those with similar interests, support them, get to know them. Do this without expecting friendship, or even them to care. If enough of us try and build connections with those around us without fear or worry about rejection we will eventually come together as a tribe.
If nothing else, you take the chance to meet some people and might make a friend or two.
9/8/10
Prodigal Prodigy
So much time is spent to try and be the best at something, only to run into that person who is better than you. How harsh the world is to never let you be perfect.
The lesson lies in that though. If you strive to overcome everyone around you, there will always be that person that comes up and out performs you. Competition provides fleeting satisfaction.
I do not say to not do it though. Stop competing with others and compete against yourself. Raise the bar only against your own skill, not that of another. If you pick up a guitar and can only play one note... Play it for yourself, play it until you hit it perfectly every time, play it and find peace in it. Tomorrow... learn a second note.
Never let the challenge of others being better than you exist. You need only concern yourself with the challenge of One vs. Self. As you gain more experiences, you can overcome fear and doubt.
What do you have a passion for? It doesn't matter how unimportant the world sees it. It only matters how important it is to you. Own your passions, pursue them, and perfect them. Then one day, you will look around and realize you are finally the best person at something that matters more than anything else;
Something that matters to you.
The lesson lies in that though. If you strive to overcome everyone around you, there will always be that person that comes up and out performs you. Competition provides fleeting satisfaction.
I do not say to not do it though. Stop competing with others and compete against yourself. Raise the bar only against your own skill, not that of another. If you pick up a guitar and can only play one note... Play it for yourself, play it until you hit it perfectly every time, play it and find peace in it. Tomorrow... learn a second note.
Never let the challenge of others being better than you exist. You need only concern yourself with the challenge of One vs. Self. As you gain more experiences, you can overcome fear and doubt.
What do you have a passion for? It doesn't matter how unimportant the world sees it. It only matters how important it is to you. Own your passions, pursue them, and perfect them. Then one day, you will look around and realize you are finally the best person at something that matters more than anything else;
Something that matters to you.
9/7/10
All or Nothing.
Constantly striving to excel and have enough wealth to have it all. We struggle to fulfill what others tell us we should have. Yet, how often are those that tell you that you need something to be happy, happy themselves?
Have nothing, owe nothing, do nothing, be nothing. Nothing is a whole and valid entity.
Have nothing; now you are free to do as you will, travel, explore, never feel bound to possessions.
Owe nothing; fulfill your obligations as they arrive, don't let others feel ownership of you.
Do nothing; don't fill every moment with activity, find value in taking 30 minutes every day to dedicate to doing nothing. This helps eliminate procrastination.
Be nothing; Stop trying to label yourself, stop trying to be what others say you should be, do just as much as is needed to pay your bills. With all the time you have gained, dedicate yourself to something worthwhile. Such as, Art, Music, Writing, Mentoring, Fitness. Be nothing so that you may fill yourself with value.
Have nothing, owe nothing, do nothing, be nothing. Nothing is a whole and valid entity.
Have nothing; now you are free to do as you will, travel, explore, never feel bound to possessions.
Owe nothing; fulfill your obligations as they arrive, don't let others feel ownership of you.
Do nothing; don't fill every moment with activity, find value in taking 30 minutes every day to dedicate to doing nothing. This helps eliminate procrastination.
Be nothing; Stop trying to label yourself, stop trying to be what others say you should be, do just as much as is needed to pay your bills. With all the time you have gained, dedicate yourself to something worthwhile. Such as, Art, Music, Writing, Mentoring, Fitness. Be nothing so that you may fill yourself with value.
Tao by Design
So I finally want to take a moment to talk about what 'Tao by Design' means. It's a combination of my interests and a play on the meaning of Tao.
I am an avid follower of game design theory, both table-top and console/computer. Also, while in college I majored in graphic design and found it cool. From there, I am a Taoist. I spend a fair amount of my time these days studying and meditating on Taoist philosophy.
So seems simple enough, but here's the twist on the title. I was discussing Taoism with a co-worker that is also a minister and explained how Taoism was not a religion, but a philosophical viewpoint that any could adopt. As I thought back on that discussion, I found the thought of God as a Taoist profoundly amusing. All things are part of Tao and Tao is all things, so Tao can function in both creationist thought and evolutionist theory.
All things are Tao by Design, therefore all that I design is Tao.
Sorry for the less profound musings today, may post a follow up later tonight.
I am an avid follower of game design theory, both table-top and console/computer. Also, while in college I majored in graphic design and found it cool. From there, I am a Taoist. I spend a fair amount of my time these days studying and meditating on Taoist philosophy.
So seems simple enough, but here's the twist on the title. I was discussing Taoism with a co-worker that is also a minister and explained how Taoism was not a religion, but a philosophical viewpoint that any could adopt. As I thought back on that discussion, I found the thought of God as a Taoist profoundly amusing. All things are part of Tao and Tao is all things, so Tao can function in both creationist thought and evolutionist theory.
All things are Tao by Design, therefore all that I design is Tao.
Sorry for the less profound musings today, may post a follow up later tonight.
9/6/10
Survival of the Laziest.
We spend so much time struggling towards an invisible promised land. That fabled place where you have 'enough'. Work at 110% every minute of every day and some mythological force will make sure it pays off.
What a load of shit!
Do a good job, because it adds value to yourself.
Stop trying to achieve when you find yourself happy with what you have.
Be happy with what you have.
Accept when loss comes your way, while being ready embrace change.
The only promised land awaiting you is the one you make for yourself, so why set your goals in the mythical. You don't ever have to be what others expect you to be. You have the right to step out of the conformity and say 'I am doing it my way.'
Are you happy with your minimum wage job?
I mean really, it is the most wonderful thing. You are only responsible for your own actions, so you are allowed to set the bar. You may not make much, but by learning to live within the limitations you'll be amazed what you can do with a minimalist lifestyle. You may not realize it, but in that position others don't have high expectations. Find out what they expect of you, it's generally much less than many specialist positions out there.
Find joy in the simplicity and then with the freedom of spirit you have gained, take time to get to know yourself and become a person not defined by their job.
What a load of shit!
Do a good job, because it adds value to yourself.
Stop trying to achieve when you find yourself happy with what you have.
Be happy with what you have.
Accept when loss comes your way, while being ready embrace change.
The only promised land awaiting you is the one you make for yourself, so why set your goals in the mythical. You don't ever have to be what others expect you to be. You have the right to step out of the conformity and say 'I am doing it my way.'
Are you happy with your minimum wage job?
I mean really, it is the most wonderful thing. You are only responsible for your own actions, so you are allowed to set the bar. You may not make much, but by learning to live within the limitations you'll be amazed what you can do with a minimalist lifestyle. You may not realize it, but in that position others don't have high expectations. Find out what they expect of you, it's generally much less than many specialist positions out there.
Find joy in the simplicity and then with the freedom of spirit you have gained, take time to get to know yourself and become a person not defined by their job.
9/5/10
Change the Channel.
"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Mahatma Gandhi
The world you live in is a reflection of what you put into it. Yet, there are times when the world around you is what needs to change. Nature flows in cycles, seasonal migrations, constant change is inevitable.
Value what you have had, but be ready to let it end and start anew. You cannot change the past, it makes you who you are today, but it doesn't have to make you who you are tomorrow. Let yourself be a part of the cycle and let change be a part of you.
As you become one with the natural cycle of change, you will see the effect you have on the world around you.
'Everyday that passes my very existence changes the way the world works for everyone I meet.' Repeat that to yourself and realize how powerful you are.
The world you live in is a reflection of what you put into it. Yet, there are times when the world around you is what needs to change. Nature flows in cycles, seasonal migrations, constant change is inevitable.
Value what you have had, but be ready to let it end and start anew. You cannot change the past, it makes you who you are today, but it doesn't have to make you who you are tomorrow. Let yourself be a part of the cycle and let change be a part of you.
As you become one with the natural cycle of change, you will see the effect you have on the world around you.
'Everyday that passes my very existence changes the way the world works for everyone I meet.' Repeat that to yourself and realize how powerful you are.
9/4/10
Introductions, post mortem.
I went straight to sharing my philosophical views while skipping a step very important to most... an introduction. I am the same no one as you. That glass man staring back in the mirror. We are the unlabeled mass moving the world forward with our drudgery.
The importance of this is to take a moment to stop thinking of how bad it is, but remember how important it is to be. No one appreciates you as much as you deserve... because you don't appreciate what you do. If you hate what you do, all you will experience is the reflection of your own feelings in others.
As with all reflections, if you take the time to look at yourself and don't like what you see; stop and take a moment to understand the word reflect.
re·flect
The importance of this is to take a moment to stop thinking of how bad it is, but remember how important it is to be. No one appreciates you as much as you deserve... because you don't appreciate what you do. If you hate what you do, all you will experience is the reflection of your own feelings in others.
As with all reflections, if you take the time to look at yourself and don't like what you see; stop and take a moment to understand the word reflect.
re·flect
v. re·flect·ed, re·flect·ing, re·flects
v.tr.
1. To throw or bend back (light, for example) from a surface.
2. To give back or show an image of (an object); mirror.
3. To make apparent; express or manifest
v.intr.
Now reflect upon yourself. Learn who you are, then you can learn what you don't like about yourself. As you know your sins, you learn how to cleanse your impurities and become closer to that inherently amazing and pure thing you are.
And yes... I didn't introduce myself... I hope I introduced you to yourself, though.
1. To be bent or thrown back: Her voice reflected off the canyon walls.
2. To give something back, as light or sound.
3. To give evidence of the characteristics or qualities of someone or something.
4. To think seriously; To express carefully considered thoughts.
Now reflect upon yourself. Learn who you are, then you can learn what you don't like about yourself. As you know your sins, you learn how to cleanse your impurities and become closer to that inherently amazing and pure thing you are.
And yes... I didn't introduce myself... I hope I introduced you to yourself, though.
9/3/10
Not the Way
"The way called The Way is no the true Way" - Lao Tzu
This interpretation of the first passage of the Tao te Ching really struck me. With so many ways to look at it, I found my meaning.
When I follow other people's words without questioning why I follow them, I am no longer walking my own way. When you give up that small part of individuality, you have lost that important bit of self. I am not speaking of defying all societal conventions, as I believe to be human is to be a part of a community. I am speaking of taking the time to ask one question.
Why?
We accept the way set before us, because we are told it is the right path. How often do you take the time to ask 'Why is it the right path?'. Take the time to ask why. Then, find a way to understand the answer. You don't have to agree or disagree. By learning the why of another, by taking the time to learn the why of yourself, you grow as a whole.
This interpretation of the first passage of the Tao te Ching really struck me. With so many ways to look at it, I found my meaning.
When I follow other people's words without questioning why I follow them, I am no longer walking my own way. When you give up that small part of individuality, you have lost that important bit of self. I am not speaking of defying all societal conventions, as I believe to be human is to be a part of a community. I am speaking of taking the time to ask one question.
Why?
We accept the way set before us, because we are told it is the right path. How often do you take the time to ask 'Why is it the right path?'. Take the time to ask why. Then, find a way to understand the answer. You don't have to agree or disagree. By learning the why of another, by taking the time to learn the why of yourself, you grow as a whole.
Textuality
As I log on to an online game, a massive realization struck me. In our modern age, we are developing such a depth of our digital self that we could be considered to have a Digital Gender. A way we identify that part of our self that is solely computerized. I am very much a man and identify myself as male, yet my gender becomes much more fluid while chatting online.
This is not going into the internet old pretending to be a girl for MaD CyBorZ. I am actually talking about finding an interesting part of yourself where you identify more as someone or something else while
at your computer.
How deep does the rabbit hole go? As far as you let yourself free.
No longer is a person bound by genetic codes, visual stereotypes, physical limitations, or speech patterns. Now, a digital entity, they may make of them self what they feel most comfortable. Though this can be taken to extremes, when given the time and introspection, how many of us rebuild a different 'me' online. More of who you wish you were and less of what you have become.
Is this persona truly less valid? Many people spend more time socializing through online games, chat services, social networking than they do personally. How can this digital face be less honest than their physical one?
It can be, given motive behind it. If it is made to deceive or coerce people's behavior. But what about those that take a face just to be them self. I am one of those people. I was always a short fat kid with a lisp, though I grew out of it, I developed a distance from people that I have trouble getting over. It's that deep seeded fear of people seeing that part of you that you hate most. When online, I am more comfortable talking with people as I can form my thoughts so much more clearly in a written form. There is no fear of a lisp
coming out, or of my physical form coming across as offensive.
I can face people with more confidence and therefore hold deep conversations on subjects of interest without the implications of physical interference. This freedom has been seen for some time by the internet, oft times as internet tough guys hiding behind the veiled anonymity of their computer. I just want to speak of it as the
freeing force that it can be to help those take a moment to under stand something important... A person is a complex mess of emotions, accept who you are, forgive yourself for it, and embrace it. Take a moment to look around and you'll find somewhere that you will be accepted, because... there are a lot of us out there to give you a hug when you finally come out.
This is not going into the internet old pretending to be a girl for MaD CyBorZ. I am actually talking about finding an interesting part of yourself where you identify more as someone or something else while
at your computer.
How deep does the rabbit hole go? As far as you let yourself free.
No longer is a person bound by genetic codes, visual stereotypes, physical limitations, or speech patterns. Now, a digital entity, they may make of them self what they feel most comfortable. Though this can be taken to extremes, when given the time and introspection, how many of us rebuild a different 'me' online. More of who you wish you were and less of what you have become.
Is this persona truly less valid? Many people spend more time socializing through online games, chat services, social networking than they do personally. How can this digital face be less honest than their physical one?
It can be, given motive behind it. If it is made to deceive or coerce people's behavior. But what about those that take a face just to be them self. I am one of those people. I was always a short fat kid with a lisp, though I grew out of it, I developed a distance from people that I have trouble getting over. It's that deep seeded fear of people seeing that part of you that you hate most. When online, I am more comfortable talking with people as I can form my thoughts so much more clearly in a written form. There is no fear of a lisp
coming out, or of my physical form coming across as offensive.
I can face people with more confidence and therefore hold deep conversations on subjects of interest without the implications of physical interference. This freedom has been seen for some time by the internet, oft times as internet tough guys hiding behind the veiled anonymity of their computer. I just want to speak of it as the
freeing force that it can be to help those take a moment to under stand something important... A person is a complex mess of emotions, accept who you are, forgive yourself for it, and embrace it. Take a moment to look around and you'll find somewhere that you will be accepted, because... there are a lot of us out there to give you a hug when you finally come out.
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