Personal development and the avoidance of extremes April 7, 2017
Posted by Dennis Mellersh in Personal Development Potential.Tags: Confucius, inspiration, life, personal growth, philosophy, self-improvement, spirituality
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By Dennis Mellersh
Both ancient and modern advice on methods for living our lives better suggests that “the middle way” is the most effective and satisfying path to realizing our self-actualization potential
If we do all of our work at breakneck speed, we will make mistakes, burn out, or both
If we drink or eat to excess we will harm our health
If we are too uncompromising, it’s hard to be empathetic
If we are always intense it’s hard to see the value of balance
And, this from Confucius:
The Master said: “When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly. And when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.” (1)
(1) Confucius, The Analects, translated by David Hinton in his book, The Four Chinese Classics, published by Counterpoint.
Personal growth: The power of the unsaid and the non-verbal April 6, 2017
Posted by Dennis Mellersh in Concept of personal growth.Tags: Confucius, David Hinton, inspiration, life, personal development potential, philosophy, spirituality
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By Dennis Mellersh
What is not said can have great power.
Similarly, a communicative force exists in the world of the inanimate and non-verbal.
Both circumstances can help smooth the path to self-actualization.
Eastern spiritual philosophies focused on self-improvement and personal enlightenment often emphasize the rewards of both personal silence and of observing that which is silent.
Consider this brief Confucius anecdote:
The Master said, “I’d love to just say nothing.”
“But if you say nothing,” said Adept Kung, how would we disciples hand down your teachings?”
“What has Heaven* ever said?” replied the Master. “The four seasons keep turning and the hundred things keep emerging – but what has Heaven ever said?” (1)
* The term Heaven in the writings of Confucius, as explained by David Hinton, refers to “Natural process. Or, more descriptively, the inevitable unfolding of things in the cosmological process.”
(1) Confucius, The Analects, in The Four Chinese Classics, translated, and with commentary by David Hinton, Counterpoint, Berkeley, California, 2013. http://www.counterpointpress.com
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