It can be painful and self-destructive to closely monitor the wreckage that is the current (world) economy. Fear of the future, distrust of “leadership”, evaporation of assets and blind partisanship are stifling, immobilizing and non-productive. Making ends meet becomes a challenge for those already living on the edge.
Social pressures from those promiscuous temptresses “Credit” and “Marketing” , encouraged indesciminate spending for things we NEED; and now for many the chickens have come home to roost.
It’s going to be rough going for awhile and lives will most definitely be affected. From 20 centuries ago, these 3 verses from the Tao speak profoundly to these times…..
29
Do you want to improve the world?
I don’t think it can be done.The world is sacred.
It can’t be improved.
If you tamper with it, you’ll ruin it.
If you treat it like an object, you’ll lose it.
There is a time for being ahead,
a time for being behind;
a time for being in motion,
a time for being at rest;
a time for being vigorous,
a time for being exhausted;
a time for being safe,
a time for being in danger.
The Master sees things as they are,
without trying to control them.
She lets them go their own way,
and resides at the center of the circle.
53
The great Way is easy,
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered within the Tao.
When rich speculators prosper
While farmers lose their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.
59
For governing a country well
there is nothing better than moderation.
The mark of a moderate man
is freedom from his own ideas.
Tolerant like the sky,
all-pervading like sunlight,
firm like a mountain,
supple like a tree in the wind,
he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything
life happens to bring his way.
Nothing is impossible for him.
Because he has let go,
he can care for the people’s welfare
as a mother cares for her child.