Daodejing Poem 12

第 十 二 章 

五 色 令 人 目 盲 ， 五 音 令 人 耳 聾 ， 五 味 令 人 口 爽 ， 馳 騁 田 獵 令 人 心 發 狂 ， 難 得 之 貨 令 人 行 妨 。 是 以 聖 人 為 腹 不 為 目 ， 故 去 彼 取 此 。

十二章○知足○修道是為了腹不是為了目所要○

5 colours confuse the eyes; 5 sounds will deafen the ears; the 5 flavours weary the taste; chasing the beasts of the field will drive a man mad; things that are hard to get will affect man to do otherwise or wrong. So the Sage will do what his belly dictates not the desires of the eyes.

Therefore discard the outward appearances and seek the inner truth.

A general comment. Contented is the advice. Cultivation is for the stomach not for the eyes to seek pleasures.

Opposition From Home

Luke chapter 4
4:24 And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.
4:25 But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
4:27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

This is why regulate the family in Confucianism is so hard to achieve due to the opposition from home and hometown. I give an example. After a day my family had decided to have my son's ashes thrown into the sea. On the 2nd day in the funeral wake, relatives put pressure on my wife and daughter till they screamed in agony. Relatives still prefer to put the ashes in columbarium.

In the end, my daughter decided to put the ashes in Chua Chu Kang government columbarium for Christians, Catholics etc. The urn was placed next to my wife's mother ashes. I did not follow them there as I maintain my own principles. See last note.

Anyway I will persevere to regulate my family in order to save the world. In the meantime, punishment will be meted out to earth to wake up people from their ignorance.

Daodejing Poem 13

第 十 三 章 

寵 辱 若 驚 ， 貴 大 患 若 身 。 何 謂 寵 辱 若 驚 ？ 寵 ， 為 下 得 之 若 驚 ， 失 之 若 驚 ， 是 謂 寵 辱 若 驚 。 何 謂 貴 大 患 若 身 ？ 吾 所 以 有 大 患 者 ， 為 吾 有 身 ， 及 吾 無 身 ， 吾 有 何 患 ？ 故 貴 以 身 為 天 下 者 ， 則 可 以 寄 於 天 下 ； 愛 以 身 為 天 下 者 ， 乃 可 以 託 於 天 下 。 

Favour like disgrace brings trouble with it; high rank, like self, involve acute distress. What does that means, to say that 'favour like disgrace brings trouble with it'? When favour is bestowed on one of low rank, the latter is troubled with it (like when asked to do evil to return favour). He is also troubled if he refuses the favour. So it is to say that 'favour like disgrace brings trouble with it'. What does that means, to say that 'high rank, like self, involves acute distress'? I suffer most because i have a body, if I don't have a body, where is the suffering? Therefore treasure your body the same as you treasure the world, then you can rule the world. Love your body as you love the world, then you can control the world.

General advice to the Sage King. Love your own body so you can rule the world.

Daodejing Poem 14

第 十 四 章 

視 之 不 見 名 曰 夷 ， 聽 之 不 聞 名 曰 希 。 搏 之 不 得 名 曰 微 。 此 三 者 不 可 致 詰 ， 故 混 而 為 一 。 其 上 不 皦 ， 其 下 不 昧 ， 繩 繩 兮 不 可 名 ， 復 歸 於 無 物 。 是 謂 無 狀 之 狀 ， 無 象 之 象 ， 是 謂 惚 恍 。 迎 之 不 見 其 首 ， 隨 之 不 見 其 後 。 執 古 之 道 ， 以 御 今 之 有 ， 能 知 古 始 ， 是 名 道 紀 。 

Look at Tao, you see nothing; this is called elusive. Use ear to hear Tao, you hear nothing; this is called rare. Trying to grasp Tao, you get nothing; this is called subtle. These 3 statements are beyond all resolution, therefore we mix them into One. Above One, it is not luminous; below One there is no darkness. To a state that is nameless, a return to the period before nothingness (missing 'wu' in above image). It is called a form without form and shape with nothingness. This is called confused vagueness. From the front you cannot see Its head; from the rear you cannot see Its back. Getting hold of the ancient Tao, treat It as your precious possession. You can then know ancient beginning that is called Tao's characteristics or Way of Tao.

Contemplate on these sentences.

It is to fully having faith with the One inside you. Focusing on it with nasal gaze, the ancient art of communion with the Self. See http://sg.geocities.com/alex_kew/comment/taoistyoga.html .

Daodejing Poem 15

第 十 五 章 

古 之 善 為 士 者 ， 微 妙 玄 通 ， 深 不 可 識 。 夫 惟 不 可 識 ， 故 強 為 之 容 。 豫 兮 若 冬 涉 川 ， 猶 兮 若 畏 四 鄰 ， 儼 兮 其 若 客 ， 渙 兮 若 冰 之 將 釋 ， 孰 兮 其 若 樸 ， 曠 兮 其 若 谷 ， 渾 兮 其 若 濁 。 孰 能 濁 以 澄 靜 之 徐 清 ？ 孰 能 安 以 久 動 之 徐 生 ？ 保 此 道 者 不 欲 盈 ， 夫 惟 不 盈 ， 故 能 敝 不 新 成 。 

The ancient masters of Tao were subtle, mysterious, mystic and acute. They were much too profound and not to be recognised. I too am not recognised, therefore emphasize on their outlook. They are like men crossing streams in winter, how cautious; as if the surrounding were dangerous, how watchful; as if they were guests; how dignified; as if like ice beginning to melt, how self-effacing; like a wood-block untouched by a tool, how sincere; like a valley awaiting a guest, how receptive; like a torrent that rushes along, so turbid. Who can stir up the dirty water, then still it to make clean? Who can always be quiet, moves others to fullness of life? Those who embrace Tao is not greedy. I too am not greedy. Therefore we are able to endure wear and tear without needing new clothes.

General comment. Good for contemplation.

Family Foto

Family photo taken on 14th July 2007.

Daodejing Poem 16

第 十 六 章 

致 虛 極 ， 守 靜 篤 ， 萬 物 並 作 ， 吾 以 觀 其 復 。 夫 物 芸 芸 ， 各 歸 其 根 。 歸 根 曰 靜 ， 靜 曰 復 命 。 復 命 曰 常 ， 知 常 曰 明 ， 不 知 常 ， 妄 作 ， 凶 。 知 常 容 ， 容 乃 公 ， 公 乃 王 ， 王 乃 天 ， 天 乃 道 ， 道 乃 久 。 沒 身 不 殆 。 

Touch ultimate emptiness, hold steady and still. All things will work together, as I watch the return. The things are flourishing and return each to its roots. Return to roots is called stillness. Stillness is called returning to the will of God. Return to the will of God is called nature. Know nature is called enlightenment. Not knowing nature is blindness that works evil. Know nature is stature followed by publicity, then kingly, then heavenly, then Tao, then the final, even without a body you are still alive.

First line is about meditation. The Sage keeps still, all things are reformed. The last line is to say if you don't achieve the 1st 2 classes of meditation, your Spiritual Soul is still alive.

The emphasis on stillness or meditation is paramount. So all salvation workers should take note.

I Don't

1. Bow to a dead body.

2. Attend funeral wake except my recent son's funeral wake. I need to attend to all friends and relatives visiting.

3. Visit cemetary or columbarium during Ching Ming or All Souls' Day.

4. Bow to any statue, image of any God or deity.

5. Pray to ancestors.

6. Use condom during sex.

7. Ejaculate inside vagina unless want to make baby.

8. Buy insurance.

9. Give my money to family members upon my death except charity.

10. Be afraid of any one except myself.

Daodejing Poem 17

第 十 七 章 

太 上 ， 下 知 有 之 。 其 次 ， 親 而 譽 之 。 其 次 ， 畏 之 。 其 次 ， 侮 之 。 信 不 足 焉， 有 不 信 焉 。 猶 兮 其 貴 言 。 功 成 事 遂 ， 百 姓 皆 謂 我 自 然 。 

The ultimate is not known. The eyes are cherished and praised. The ears strike fear. The nose and mouth are despised and reviled. If belief is not enough, then there is no belief. Aloof is the attitude of precious words. Once success is complete, the people will say: 'I am natural'.

A difficult poem to interpret. An interpretation is as:-

As for him who is highest, the people just know he is there. His deputy's cherished and praised; of the third, they are frightened; the fourth, they dispise and revile. If you trust people less than enough, some of them never trust you.

He is aloof, as if his talk were priced beyond the purchasing; but once his project is contrived, the folk will want to say of it: 'Of course! We did it by ourselves!'

Daodejing Poem 18

第 十 八 章 

大 道 廢 ， 有 仁 義 ； 智 慧 出 ， 有 大 偽 ； 六 親 不 和 ， 有 孝 慈 ； 國 家 昏 亂 ， 有 忠 臣 。 

Tao declines, there still have righteousness and kindness. When intelligence appears, great hypocrisy comes along. When the 6 relations are not at peace, laws are regulated. When country is in confusion, the royal servants of the court can be identified.

The decline of Tao as we experienced in the past history. This is expected.

Daodejing Poem 19

第 十 九 章 

絕 聖 棄 智 ， 民 利 百 倍 ； 絕 仁 棄 義 ， 民 復 孝 慈 ； 絕 巧 棄 利 ， 盜 賊 無 有 。 此 三 者 ， 以 為 文 不 足 ， 故 令 有 所 屬 ， 見 素 抱 樸 ， 少 私 寡 欲 。 

Get rid of sages and knowledge, then the people will benefit a hundred fold. Get rid of benevolent and righteousness, then the people will return filial piety. Get rid of artisans and profiteers, then bandits and robbers will not appear. If these 3 sayings are only words, that is not enough. More relevant, then, let there be a visible simplicity of life, live poor and not be greedy.

The way of life is to be simple and waiting for the return.

Daodejing Poem 20

第 二 十 章 

絕 學 無 憂 。 唯 之 與 阿 ， 相 去 幾 何 ？ 善 之 與 惡 ， 相 去 何 若 ？ 人 之 所 畏 ， 不 可 畏 畏 。 荒 兮 其 未 央 哉 ！ 眾 人 熙 熙 ， 如 享 太 牢 ， 如 登 春 臺 。 我 獨 泊 兮 其 未 兆 ， 若 嬰 兒 之 未 孩 ， 乘 乘 兮 若 無 所 歸 。 眾 人 皆 有 餘 ， 而 我 獨 若 遺 。 我 愚 人 之 心 也 哉 ！ 沌 沌 兮 ！ 俗 人 昭 昭 ， 我 獨 昏 昏 ； 俗 人 察 察 ， 我 獨 悶 悶 。 忽 兮 其 若 晦 ， 寂 兮 似 無 所 止 。 眾 人 皆 有 以 ， 我 獨 頑 且 鄙 。 我 獨 異 於 人 ， 而 貴 求 食 於 母 。 

Getting rid of learning leave you less worried. For 'yes' and 'yea', what is the difference? For beauty and ugly, what is the comparison? What people fear, it is to be feared. How barren and pointless a thought! People are making merry, like when they enjoy the ox sacrificial festival, like spring festival climbing poles. As for me, I am alone, unmoved like a baby that has not grown. Drifting as though I have no home. People have more than enough, but I am alone left out. I am like a fool, muddled and confused! When common people scintillate, I alone hide in shadow. Common people are sharp and knowing, I alone am melancholy. Restless like the ocean, blown about, like, I cannot stop. People get what they want, but I am stubborn; I am mean. I alone am different from people, because I prize and seek my sustenance from the Mother.

This is like referring to me. I am alone so different from others.

Setback Not Failure

My son's death is just a setback not a failure. See http://sg.geocities.com/alex_kew/mylife/kids.html .

Even though without a son I cannot regulate my family, I can still pursue my spiritual uplifting. In the world there will have many young women who will be willing to make babies with me.

Also as I have said in articles and forums, that I have no mercy when I punish people including my family members. So the death is a reminder to all others who are against me to be aware the penalty to go against me.

Daodejing Poem 21

第 二 十 一 章 

孔 德 之 容 ， 唯 道 是 從 。 道 之 為 物 ， 惟 恍 惟 惚 。 惚 兮 恍 其 中 有 象 ； 恍 兮 惚 其 中 有 物 。 窈 兮 冥 兮 ， 其 中 有 精 ； 其 精 甚 真 ， 其 中 有 信 。 自 古 及 今 ， 其 名 不 去 ， 以 閱 眾 甫 。 吾 何 以 知 眾 甫 之 然 哉 ？ 以 此 。 

The Mark's virtue, its shape will be revealed accordingly to the Way. If it is a thing, it seems like in a dream, elusive, evading. In it there are images, elusive, evading ones. In it there are things like shadows in twilight. In it there are sperm or essence, subtle but real. In it there is belief. From past till now, its name does not depart, it is for observing common-roots. How do I know the domain of common-roots?  Like this !

It is to say Tao is invincible, cannot be seen nor hold. It is like a void, so we need guidance from others written in scriptures to pin point the Mark on our forehead. Just take 666 for example. It is to show Jesus crucified between 2 thieves. The threesome represent our 2 eyes and the midpoint in between.

How do I know this natural roots ? Like this - focusing your eyes on the tip of our nose and mind concentrated on the Mark.

Son Passed Away

My son passed away this morning around 2.54 am Singapore time.

So many things I have said have to be adjusted. Like regulating family, I think I have to reconsider this matter.

His full name is Kew Johny Jeremy. You can use it to see his profile in Facebook and tadpole 81 in Friendster.

The newspaper cutting was published on the same date in the evening Wan Pao.So many people came because of this as his school mates, army mates, former working coleegues etc came to see his body in the funeral wake.

Cremation was on 8th October 2008 at about 9.45 am in Mandai Crematorium.

Daodejing Poem 22

第 二 十 二 章 

曲 則 全 ， 枉 則 直 ， 窪 則 盈 ， 弊 則 新 ， 少 則 得 ， 多 則 惑 ， 是 以 聖 人 抱 一 ， 為 天 下 式 。 不 自 見 故 明 ， 不 自 伐 故 彰 ， 不 自 是 故 有 功 ， 不 自 矜 故 長 。 夫 惟 不 爭 ， 故 天 下 莫 能 與 之 爭 。 古 之 所 謂 曲 則 全 者 ， 豈 虛 言 哉 ！ 誠 全 而 歸 之 。 

The crooked shall be made straight, the rough places plain; the pools shall be filled, the worn renewed; the needy shall have abundant and the rich shall be perplexed. Therefore the Sage focusing on the Mystic Portal as a model to the world. Not upholding his personal views, therefore he is enlightened; not asserting himself, he is distinguished; not boasting his powers, he is effective; taking no pride in himself, he is chief. Because he does not compete, no one in the world can compete with him. The saying of old:- 'The crooked shall be made straight' is not in vain. Totally perfect then return to the Mystic Portal.

The message is for the Sage King. So what I have done in my websites and forum discussions are proof of my action. The most important thing is to focus on the One inside us, at our nose bridge.

Nature will take its course. I don't have to worry about when I will be crowned.

Daodejing Poem 23

第 二 十 三 章 

希 言 自 然 。 故 飄 風 不 終 朝 ， 驟 雨 不 終 日 。 孰 為 此 者 ？ 天 地 天 地 尚 不 能 久 ， 而 況 於 人 乎 ？ 故 從 事 於 道 者 ， 道 者 同 於 道 ， 德 者 同 於 德 ， 失 者 同 於 失 。 同 於 道 者 ， 道 亦 樂 得 之 ； 同 於 德 者 ， 德 亦 樂 得 之 ； 同 於 失 者 ， 失 亦 樂 得 之 。 信 不 足 ， 焉 有 不 信 焉 。 

Rare speech is natural. For whirlwind will not last the morning out; the cloudburst ends before the day is done. What makes them behave like that? The sky and earth! Sky and earth can not last long, how about men? Those who work by the Way, will be with the Way. Those who work by the virtue, will be with the virtue. Those who abandon the Way, will be abandoned. Walking with those of the Way, the Way gladly receives them. Walking with those of the virtue, virtue will gladly receives them. Walking with those who abandon the Way, abandon will gladly receives them. When your belief is insufficient, it is you have no belief !

General message for all. You have Tao and believe it faithfully, you will be saved. Abandon Tao and Tao will abandons you.

As Tao is the omnipresent One inside us and all, everything will go on naturally. There is no worry even if the sky is to fall down. How can Tao fail us when we faithfully have confidence in It.