Hindu Teachings
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Hindu
Teachings
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A man must lift himself up by himself.
In no way weaken or degrade the mind that must do the lifting.
Though that mind is your enemy, it is also your only friend.
Srimad Bhagavad Gita 6.3
“Some say that my teaching is nonsense,
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.”
Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings,
but contemplate their return.
Each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.
If you don’t realize the source,
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you came from,
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused,
kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.
Immersed in the wonder of the Tao,
you can deal with whatever life brings you,
and when death comes, you are ready.
A good traveler has no fixed plans
and is not intent upon arriving.
A good artist lets his intuition
lead him wherever it wants.
A good scientist frees himself of concepts
and keeps his mind open to what is.
Thus the Master is available to all people
and doesn’t reject anyone.
He is ready to use all situations
and doesn’t waste anything.
This is called embodying the light.
What is a good man but a bad man’s teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man’s teacher?
If you don’t understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
This is the great secret.
Revelation of Lao Tsu - The Tao
Tao Te Ching is the fundamental work of Taoism, and not only points with poetic elegance to the mystery of
Oneness, but provides practical guidelines for cultivating character, conducting war, and governing nations.
As with most ancient texts, authorship is difficult to determine. It is commonly attributed to a specific person
named Lao Tsu, who is said to have been a contemporary of Confucius, and may have been an archivist to the emperor.
Some historians point out, however, that one meaning of the characters lao tsu is “old man,” and that it was more
likely a nickname than a proper name. These same two characters can also form the words “old scholar,” pronounced
roshi in Japanese—a title usually reserved for a Zen master. Carrying out one's work in an unassuming manner
is an important aspect of Taoist philosophy. So much so that often a Taoist writer or painter would either not sign
his work, or use a pseudonym that honored his teacher. It is not a stretch, therefore, to surmise that the Tao Te Ching
may well have been written by a sage—or sages— wishing to remain anonymous, as well as pay homage to the old
masters who had come before.
The Tao that can be told is not the Eternal Tao
