Been reading “The Tao of Pooh” last weekend. A very interesting book.u noe, I’ve always believed myself as a free thinker, not tied down by any religion, but after reading this book, I think I would like to be Taoist.

Actually, my IC states that I’m a Buddhist but I m actually a free thinker at age 15. but at that time, my dad, which is a Buddhist, was sitting beside me. So I cant happily say that I m a free thinker, right? So lan lan bo wei gong (hokkien la), say I m Buddhist lor.

Anyway, after I read the book, which is Taoism explained in Pooh’s terms, how Pooh is a representation of the Way aka Tao, I realize I have been “practicing” Tao all my life without realizing it.

Ever heard of “the vinegar tasters” story? It is abt this 3 men (Confucius, Buddha and Lao Tse à author of the oldest existing book of Taoism) with 3 different expression on the face. Sour face, Bitter expression and smiling face respectively. And u wonder y Lao Tse is smiling when he has just tasted vinegar. Cos thru working in harmony with life’s circumstances, Taoist understanding changes wad one perceives as –ve into sth +ve. Life itself, when understand and utilized, is sweet. Vinegar, therefore, represents life here. Taoism also belives that the more men interfered with the natural balance, the further away the harmony retreated into the distance. Thus, the more forcing, the more trouble. Make sense right?

And then there is the Uncarved Block. The essence of the principle of the Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily lost and spoiled when that simplicity is changed. I think it is very amazing that Pooh is an example of an Uncarved Block. Many would think that pooh is simple minded but in actually fact, he just do not complicate the things like most people.

There is also the principle of Things Are As They Are. Like in the story where one man told the other abt the tree he has that no carpenter can cut into lumber. So why not make use of the shade it provides? The tree is “useless” because we want to make it into sth else and not use it the proper way.

The most interesting of all would be the “characteristic element of Taoist-in-action” à Wu Wei. Literally, it means “without doing, causing or making”. When we learn to work with our Inner Nature, and with the natural laws operating ard us, we reach the level of Wu Wei. “Tao does not do, but nth is not done.” And this, is the reason why I always stone. The Art of stone-ing came from here. Haha. No lah. Actually, read this: “the Empty sort of mind is valuable for finding things cos it can see wad’s in fnt of it. An overstuffed mind is unable to. Many people are afraid of Emptiness cos it reminds them of Loneliness.” Then we would start filling up our days with many activities. But only after we have discarded the Big Congested Mess do we discover the fullness of Nothing.

Food for thought: “unlike other forms of life, people are easily led away from wad is right for them, becos people have Brain, and Brain can be fooled. Inner Nature, when relied on, cannot be fooled.”

been thinking of Alantac again. those memorable times i spent there and the hard work which allowed me to forget that i have studies to think of after the o levels. ya. promos is getting on my nerves again. evidence? MOOD SWINGS. yes. it has returned.