God

Really, Sus, you’re going THERE? Well, why not? With the exception of Atheists and Agnostics, we all believe in some kind of Higher Power. What that entity is called is determined by the particular faith or sect or religious order you decide to live by. Having been baptized Methodist, that’s what I lived by for most of my childhood. But, like many organized groups, this particular church turned into a social event where the “better” of the congregation would judge and patronize those who were not of high enough status. My mom stopped going and eventually, so did I. I continued in the kids’ activities but not the actual sermons. Funny how the kids were less clique-y than the adults. By the time I got to high-school, I stopped going altogether.

A bit later in my life I decided to look at the different beliefs. In the Christian religions, I found way too much rigidity; too much intolerance for other religions. I’m not comfortable with that. Then I looked at Buddhism – the Japanese side of my heritage. I liked it a lot, and found solace in the research I did on it. And I love the story of the Buddha. I also looked at Confucianism, finding that I was drawn to the philosophical teachings. I was so close, but it wasn’t quite right for me yet.

I believe in “live and let live”.  I believe in tolerance. I believe in nature and naturalness. Simplicity. Balance. Yin and yang.

The first time I read the Tao Te Ching, I couldn’t put it down. It was so prophetic to me, so profound. I’ve read [parts of] the Bible and it didn’t capture me at all. The stories were neat, but it wasn’t insightful like this. It didn’t touch my core like this did.

68.

Compassion is the finest weapon and best defense.

If you would establish harmony,

Compassion must surround you like a fortress.

Therefore,

A good soldier does not inspire fear;
A good fighter does not display aggression;
A good conqueror does not engage in battle;
A good leader does not exercise authority.

This is the value of unimportance;

This is how to win the cooperation of others;
This to how to build the same harmony that is in nature.