How many people have the ability and the courage to break away from conventional thinking...or from thinking 'outside the box' as they say. In any area of life you can be quite certain that following the crowd will eventually get you into trouble. Some call this the Sheep Mentality. Following the advice of conventional doctors for example will certainly make you less healthy. If you want to get sick do what everyone else does and go to a doctor. If you're already sick and want to become more sick, do what everyone else does and go to a hospital (usually on the advise of the doctor who made you sick in the first place). Following the crowd is the quickest way to decline. By far, the best way to improve every aspect of your life is to look at what the majority is doing and then do the exact opposite. Just this one act alone will improve your life drastically and tremendously. In this sense, 'majority rules' has no value for us, but if we can accept and adapt to 'minority rules', I believe we would be astounded with the results. If everyone runs to Mac Donald's for lunch, we walk to the nearest fruit tree for lunch.......if everyone uses medication for health, we use herbs.......if everyone goes to a university for an education or a hospital for cures, we educate ourselves through introspection and cure ourselves through breathing. The list could go on indefinitely.
Chinese metaphysics is no different. If you do what everyone else is doing , your understanding will be more difficult and your education will take longer. This is the main reason why there are so few great metaphysical Masters, Teachers, Practitioners, or Students. Lucky is the one who can find a master or teacher who is not intimidated by 'going against the grain'. Luckier is the one who is not intimidated by learning on their own. Dare to be different and on your own...you are your best teacher. Don't be afraid to take the road less travelled...as it will have fewer obstacles and less footsteps to confuse you.
Following the crowd is dangerous...following the minority is better...following yourself is best.
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6 comments:
Hai Andy,
Really hope we can meet one day when we can have a good discussion.
Anyway can you draw diagrams,i think it's easier to understand for us.
Regards
Hello Kwwong -
I will be using diagrams and pictures in the very near future to make things more clear. I will be making some improvements to this blog. Thank you for your reply and I honestly hope we can meet one day also. We will have much to talk about. Take Care and Very Best Wishes.
Andy
A week before my birth father left his body, he told my brother he had lived his whole life based on fear. One who refuses to hear the voice in his/her own heart is bound to be chased by fears.
There is a teacher within the heart who will ultimately guide the sincere student/seeker. Along the way there will be many teachers.
One who researches books and other sources of knowledge is not really alone. These sources have been recorded by others who have walked the path in front of us. Their words and good wishes are there in their writings to warm us and keep our path well lit.
The path will be less worn as not that many have the courage, determination, patience and perseverence to follow.
But, it is usually pleasant to follow a path that is not so crowded. Especially if well lit, lined with flowering trees and birdsong.
It is time to stop thinking outside the box and to climb out of the box and simply live in the open.
When one chooses to live outside the box, there is no question of going against the grain.
One who is flowing with the Universe is not bothered by the energy within the tiny boxes that others have imprisoned themselves within.
Hi Anonymous -
Thank You kindly for your reply. Very inspiring. Yes, there is a teacher within our hearts that will guide us...very nicely put and I agree whole-heartedly. In the beginning we need teachers, masters, books, etc. I am not against that...eventually we have to live OUR life on our own and let go of our teachers's hand. Not many can do it. I agree with you that living outside the box is going against the grain. I have done it my whole life and it can be a very dark and lonely road. For awhile you get used to the dark...but eventually a light will come that is ever brightly shining and eternal. Then you will realize that all is well and all is worth the dark tunnels you had to pass to get to where you are. Then you never need a box again because you are at one and at peace with the light.
Thank You very much for your comments. There is no doubt that your father was... and is, very proud of you.
Andy
Actually my father completely rejected me and disinherited me. I was invited not to come to his funeral. I was toooooooooooo scary because he couldn't keep me in my box.
He had worked extremely hard to create that little box. It was strangling me :(
I stepped out of the box and my father was too threatened by this. He wouldn't talk to me at all for the last 10 years of his life.
So I found a real father / mentor / guru and had the love of caring friends and a devoted husband. My world grew as my father's withered. Now my family embraces the Universe.
Living outside of the box is frightening or dark as long as we are glancing back at those infernal boxes all piled up on the shelves of society and are turned away from the light.
When we stop looking at all the boxes and let go of comparisons and regrets, we turn to the light which was always there. We just had our back to it.
There we go again. Back to the questions of externals. The light is within and without. The Chi flows through us. Back to the dance :-D
Guess Who?
Well I never was much of a dancer. I never cared much for cat and mouse games either, but your replies are interesting. I don't have to guess who you are because I pretty much have it figured out. Don't let that stop you from visiting. Even though you say you had issues with your father, I still think he may have had a grudging admiration for you in having the strength to break out of the box he created for you. Maybe he was seeing how much courage you had or how much you could endure...maybe not. Does it really matter, after all you did make it out of the box.
Take Care.
Andy
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