A well-frog cannot imagine the ocean, nor can a summer insect conceive of ice. How then can a scholar understand the Tao? He is restricted by his own learning. Benjamin Hoff More Quotes by Benjamin Hoff More Quotes From Benjamin Hoff Carefully observe the natural laws in operation in the world around you, and live by them. From following them, you will learn the morality of modesty, moderation, compassion, and consideration (not just one society's rules and regulations), the wisdom of seeing things as they are (not of merely collecting "facts" about them), and the happiness of being in harmony with the Way (which has nothing to do with self-righteous "spiritual" obsessions and fanaticism). And you will live lightly, spontaneously, and effortlessly. Benjamin Hoff compassion self spiritual Treat gain and loss the same.' Don't be Intimidated. Don't make a Big Deal of anything - just accept things as they come to you. Benjamin Hoff gains accepting loss The play-it-safe pessimists of the world never accomplish much of anything, because they don't look clearly and objectively at situations, they don't recognize or believe in their own abilities to overcome even the smallest amount of risk. Benjamin Hoff risk play believe Life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet. Benjamin Hoff new-home tao-of-pooh sweet Now, scholars can be very useful and necessary, in their own dull and unamusing way. They provide a lot of information. It's just that there is Something More, and that Something More is what life is really all about. Benjamin Hoff information dull way Many people are afraid of Emptiness, however, because it reminds them of Loneliness. Everything has to be filled in, it seems-appointment books, hillsides, vacant lots-but when all the spaces are filled, the Loneliness really begins. Then the Groups are joined, the Classes are signed up for, and the Gift-to-Yourself items are bought. When the Loneliness starts creeping in the door, the Television Set is turned on to make it go away. But it doesn't go away. So some of us do instead, and after discarding the emptiness of the Big Congested Mess, we discover the fullness of Nothing. Benjamin Hoff loneliness class book Whether many people realize it yet or not, man, the Inferior Animal, has by now proved himself incapable of keeping his own species - and others - alive for very much longer. So the earth has begun its own plan to set things right. Benjamin Hoff animal men people As our planet takes action to cast out its manmade poisons and heal its man-caused wounds, many human inhabitants will no doubt give way to fear. Many will cling to seemingly powerful we're-God's-chosen-people religions, hoping that by so doing they will be saved from the wrath of a Vengeful God (not recognizing that the approaching "vengeance" will in reality be man's own actions coming back at him - and not recognizing that the Infinite Universal Power is far more than the narrow-minded gatekeeper of an exclusive Spiritual Country Club). Benjamin Hoff powerful spiritual country Well, it takes all kinds to make a mess. Benjamin Hoff wells kind order Modern man's difficulties, dangerous beliefs and feelings of loneliness, spiritual emptiness,and personal weakness are caused by his illusions about, and separation from, the natural world. Benjamin Hoff loneliness spiritual men When we give up our images of self-importance and our ideas of what should be, we can help things become what they need to be. Benjamin Hoff giving-up self ideas I think, therefore I am confused. Benjamin Hoff i-am-confused confused thinking From the Taoist point of view, the natural result of this harmonious way of living is happiness. Benjamin Hoff views tao-of-pooh way No matter how useful we may be, sometimes it takes us a while to recognize our own value. Benjamin Hoff matter may sometimes There is more to knowing than just being correct Benjamin Hoff just-being knowing There are things about ourselves that we need to get rid of; there are things we need to change. But at the same time, we do not need to be too desperate, too ruthless, too combative. Along the way to usefulness and happiness, many of those things will change themselves, and the others can be worked on as we go. The first thing we need to do is recognize and trust our own Inner Nature, and not lose sight of it. Benjamin Hoff sight way needs In the Age of Perfect Virtue, men lived among the animals and birds as members of one large family. There were no distinctions between superior and inferior to separate one man or species from another. All retained their natural Virtue and lived in a state of pure simplicity. Benjamin Hoff perfect animal men The Infinite Universal Power is more than just a narrow-minded gatekeeper to a spiritual County Club. Benjamin Hoff clubs infinite spiritual Knowledge and Experience do not necessarily speak the same language. Benjamin Hoff knowledge-and-experience language speak It is very hard to be brave," said Piglet, sniffing slightly, "when you're only a Very Small Animal." Rabbit, who had begun to write very busily, looked up and said: "It is because you are a very small animal that you will be Useful in the adventure before us. Benjamin Hoff writing animal adventure
