Non-interference

The much used western Bible phrase - 'be in this world but not from this world' helps us understand this concept. We live in a world of extremes. We call it human nature. We are violently angry, ambitious, passionate, humble, greedy, successful etc. When we are not, we are directionless or aimless. The Yin and Yang aspects of The Tao are also extremes--the flow in the middle, being the Way - the so-called narrow way of no extremes. When we interfere with the flow it causes us great discomfort. Meaning, that when we in the 'way of the world', desperately try to grab bits of all the extremes of the world, we end up with nothing but a feeling of emptiness and a yearning for something we can not find. In contrast to this empty feeling the extremes of the world produces, there is the Void that we find in The Tao. It is in the void where we find peace and certainty in no concrete answers, where non-action, non-being and non-interference rest. The extreme of Yin and Yang on either side is what keeps the middle safe and balanced. The void being the inside of the bowl that is useful, the extremes are on the sides, that which makes it possible for the void to exist, the sides of the bowl. The Way is necessarily the narrow Way of non-interference. This is probably the most difficult of all concepts to discuss in a short catechism note.

Simplicity

Before we can work towards simplicity we need to come to an understanding of what is truth and what is convenience. See our motives, our fellow man=s motives and our needs for what they really are. We need to stop lying to ourselves. In selfish greed we try to make things what we want it to be. When we stop lying it becomes simple. Once we are honest about what we do and why we do it, we can start simplifying. Finding the true motives behind our 'good intentions' sometimes changes everything. When the issues become simple then only can we simplify our lives. Stripped bare of all the lies and excuses and padding, we can see what we need emotionally and physically. It is senseless to try and simplify while we do not even have the honesty. We become aware of what is right and wrong. We try to ignore it but it no longer feels good or comfortable. It is no longer difficult to go without the things we desire so much. When emotional and physical desire becomes innocent, we can=t help but implementing simplicity in our lives.

Humility

The ability not be embarrassed of the truth anymore is the start of discovering humility. The ability to not have to explain and justify when the world thinks you have gone crazy. Keeping quiet because you know you do not know everything. Knowing that even if you know more at this point in time, you come from the same place as the next person. Knowing what you know now is only the tip of the iceberg. Knowing it is not about you anymore. Really knowing who and what you really are and will become if you don't work at it everyday. Knowing you are the absolute worst of them all and not believing or understanding why you are so privileged to be given a little bit of knowledge. Loving because there is no other way. Being one of God's own you have to be humble enough to love all His others. Humility is not having anything so that you have space to receive. It is having opened yourself enough that you have so much that you can give it all away.