Balm for my thoughts

I used to distract myself by going to see action movies – I loved Terminator, Alien, Matrix. But today those movies are too harsh for me even though the Matrix pretty much is an interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita. Instead of dipping from the empty well of an action flick with its ballet of violence, I’ve turned to reading the Tao te Ching and have even started the Bhagavad Gita, which I began in the hospital.

My soul needs nourishment, not depletion. My mind needs to be centered, not scattered.

Today’s meditation from the Tao te Ching is #8

The supreme good is like water,
which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.

In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.

When you are content to be simply yourself
and don’t compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.

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