Wisdom of the Tao - How to Live An Unhurried Life

The Tao Te Ching is an ancient Chinese text on the nature of existence. According to legend Lao-tzu wrote this book of wisdom. It has been translated more than any other volume, except for the Bible.

The 15th verse of the Tao counsels us: "But the muddiest water clears as it is stilled."

Lao-tzu uses images to describe an alert yet unhurried state of being:

* Crossing an icy stream, watchful yet alert to danger

* Appreciating the unlimited potential of uncarved wood

* Willing to be still and wait for muddy water to clear

Imagine your life as you'd like it to be and then let go. Trust in the wisdom of the Tao. Your life will unfold in its own time when you aren't trying to push the river.

Let the wisdom of the Tao work for you and with you.

Your focus on getting more - wealth, status, power -- leads to a discontented life. It blinds you to your relationship with the Tao. Rather than seeking more, the practice of appreciation promotes a contented life. Recognize your desires. Trust that you will receive whatever guidance is necessary for your life. Stop pushing yourself. By appreciating what you have, you live with contentment.

Let go of your need for more and live without striving.

Practice living in the Now in both mind and body. When you let go of wondering about what comes next, you can live in a state of appreciation. Release your goals for the future and replace them with the power of each moment. Relax your efforts about always doing the right thing and being in the right place. Immerse yourself in each present moment. By living in the moment, you slow down your incessant striving for more.

Allow your unique self to shine through and live in simplicity.

How do you look at yourself? How do you view power and success? Reflect on these questions. Ask yourself whether your views are in harmony with the Tao's wisdom to live simply. The Tao "does nothing" and "leaves nothing undone." The Tao frees you from the burden to be productive and successful in the eyes of others. By releasing the judgments of others, you enjoy a simpler way of living.

The ability to stay calm lies within. The Tao advises you to stay serene no matter what swirls around you. Blame and faultfinding are endemic in the world. Take responsibility for your feelings and your actions. You have a choice in each moment. You can choose how to respond to each life event. You can maintain a peaceful center and live an unhurried life.

Summary

You have a choice in each moment. You can choose how to respond to each life event. You can maintain a peaceful center and live an unhurried life.

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Running Out Of Time?

I'm not referring to your "TO DO" list for today or this week or taking the latest and greatest time-management seminar to get tips on how to manage time (managing time - a myth by the way - but I'll save that and your time for a future article).

Regarding the title - not teasing you with morbidity - just realistic, practical and/or as genuine as possible.

Last year I lost 4 close friends between the ages of 50 and 90 and none of them saw it coming. How about you - could you be next? Again - not being negative or morose - just asking you to consider a simple question - if today was your last day - would/could you leave here; contented, without regret, peaceful, satisfied and with a positive legacy or the opposite of many of these?

While you are reading this, and I don't really care whether you are 25, 50 or 100+ cause the question is the same for all of you - let me repeat - if today was your last one - how would you leave here and what would you leave behind? 

"Tim, it sure sounds morose." - sorry - we are all going to die and none of us has the privilege of knowing when, where or how. So, let's talk a little about how you are living so when it's your turn, you'll be ready if you aren't today.

There are a few life fundamentals that everyone wants in life - happiness, security, health and love (given and received). Yes, there are may others for some people - wealth, fame, power, control, reputation, lots of friends, nice cars and homes, beautiful and handsome spouses and perfect kids etc. Problem is if you haven't figured it out yet - you'll never have everything or all of the ones you think you need - to have a contented, happy, peaceful life. Bet I lost a few of you with this remark!

Don't believe me - tell me one person you know that has it all (and with these people you think that do - do you know what goes on behind closed doors in their lives - do you know what they worry about - do you know their stressors?).

Or, maybe you think you have it all. Well if this is true 1) trust me - either have really low standards, needs, expectations in every or many areas of your life 2) you are perfect or just maybe - 3) you have figured out what it takes (FYI - this one puts you in the minority) to live a contented life and no matter when your time will be up - you will be OK with it.

Some of you might be interpreting this article from a spiritual perspective and that is perfectly legitimate but that is not my primary focus although it is a critical piece of living and leaving with an "I'm OK and ready to go" mindset. But, I'll save that one for another time. For now, I want to focus on what I refer to as "Life's Ten 

Essentials" for a contented life and a positive legacy.

Before I give them to you if you don't know what they are, let me repeat - the spiritual piece of life is vital and even if you have all of the following without it you may find it difficult to live and leave peacefully but it isn't my intent to preach in this article but 

FYI - I do in many others.

OK, here are what I believe are the ten essentials for a contented life (and yes, there could be many others (these are just mine). It's not my intention to tell you how to live, (I don't have - nor does anyone else have that right) for me - I am far from perfect or ideal. Having said all this, if you think any or all of them are on target and you are willing to take a few minutes to clarify them from your perspective - why not jot down a few notes or write a sentence or two about what these mean to you and generally how you think you are doing. At the least a few additional trigger words that come to mind when you consider each of them.

Back to the title - regardless of how much time you may or may not have how do you want your legacy to read?

They are in no special order;

Appreciation or I Deserve This -

Gratitude or You Owe Me -

Other or Self Focused -

Integrity or Whatever It Takes -

Giving or Greed -

Humility or Prideful -

Forgiveness or Blame & Anger -

Letting Go or Staying stuck -

Balance or Single focused life -

Faith or It's All My Doing -

Learn anything?

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