What is lost?

The Tao Te Ching tells us "Truly, one may gain by losing; And one may lose by gaining"

We all throughout our lives live to do better, help our children do better than we did, and accomplish more than our parents did.  What do we gain when we attempt to amass things? So often I see that people want to show accomplishment by the amount of things they possess. I tell you though that true accomplishment is by our very actions, and what is learned. We our the true Virtue of our souls, and Chi. Think of when you see someone in need, and if but one person would help them, how would this change the World? If one person helped another and this happened across the globe, would it make a difference? Would you know if a difference occurred?

These questions are good and all, but the most important question is: does it matter? Does it matter if the change occurs; does it matter if you notice a change. Change of the world should not matter, you should not care whether you see a change. All that matters is what happens to you. If you lost all of your worldly possessions, you would have no bills. That would mean less stress, and therefor gaining by losing. Look at the world as one experience, meant to be enjoyed at every turn, and every moment.

Someone can not take from you what you do not have. Give freely and you can never be robbed. Do not show strength and you will not be challenged. Exist in the here and now, leave the past to the historians, and let the future be for your children. In all of this I am trying to say, you can not lose what you do not give away, but you can not gain unless you give.

Chinese Philosophy Used in Business Practices

     For many years now the business world has used many of the ancient Chinese texts like "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu to help them in negotiations and with their business philosophies.  A recent article I read (The Tao meets the Dow) talks about how the use of these ancient texts are misused and misunderstood in today's world.  It was the belief of the author that business leaders should stop trying to use texts from another culture that we don't or can't understand to lead us in the business world. 

     What many people fail to realize about these texts is that they are not meant for business, but texts written on how to live everyday.  The Tao Te Ching says:

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
the Tao is present, and can welcome all things.

 This is one passage of many that could be used in the business world, and everyday life.  The success or failure of a person or action is based solely on the conditions of that person's decisions or the consequences of those actions.  I believe that these ancient texts are valid for our lives, no matter what job or position that we hold.  We should look to expand our lives with the education of those that came before us, so that we may learn from them. Hopefully we can continue their journey to allow the world to be what it is meant to be, and not what we wish it to be. 

I will leave you with this from the Tao Te Ching:

The sage does not distinguish between himself and the world;
The needs of other people are as his own.

He is good to those who are good;
He is also good to those who are not good,
Thereby he is good.
He trusts those who are trustworthy;
He also trusts those who are not trustworthy,
Thereby he is trustworthy.

The sage lives in harmony with the world,
And his mind is the world's mind.
So he nurtures the worlds of others
As a mother does her children.