Thursday Thirteen 36: Lines from Lao-Tzu

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In the Buddhist meditation group that meets twice a month in Waterbury, we've been studying the Tao. We read a new verse every two weeks or so and try to make it a part of the way we go about life. It seems to me one verse is very much like another and that distinguishing one from the other is difficult and perhaps even counterproductive. With that in mind, I present this passage that I think deserves thinking and rethinking, oh, 13 times.

1. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
2. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
3. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
4. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
5. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
6. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
7. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
8. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
9. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
10. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
11. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
12. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
13. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.

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53 Comments

  1. This is so perfect!! This is so good. This is excellent!!

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  2. Some might think this is such a simple an easy TT. They haven't read the Tao!
    My TT is about goddess astrology. What's your goddess sign?

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  3. Wonderful Sandy! I also love the statue. It is simple and yet it says so much. Beautiful!

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  4. That is so cool!!! I love reading your TT's they are always uplifting to me :)

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  5. So simple, but so true. :)

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  6. I am an educator, and I believe that words can transform lives. I remember a former teacher who wrote me a note in seventh grade. "I heard you are having a great school year--I predict you always will"---fourteen words that affirmed, encouraged, and gave me confidence---and I have never forgotten them. Your TT reminds us yet again how important words are. I love what Emily Dickinson says, "A word is dead when it is said, some say; I say it just begins to live that day."

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  7. I just wish people truly practiced this!

    SJR
    The Pink Flamingo
    http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/6/4/3729284.html

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  8. Oh I should say 13 times too.....your post is awesome.

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  9. Anonymous7:44 PM

    Yes.

    In my everyday kindness challenge, I've had such profound experiences.... I can't even think of how to describe them. Spiritual? Sure. But more than that. Anyway, thanks for sharing this. If you want to check out the everyday kindness thing it's at everyday-kindness.com. I think everyone who's joined has had the same experience. One tiny act a day will change your life - amazing.

    Happy TT! Wonderful again!

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  10. Anonymous8:14 PM

    Very true and very well presented.

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  11. All so very true. Great TT. Very uplifting.

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  12. Anonymous8:47 PM

    Great TT! We could all stand to give and receive a bit more kindness!

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  13. Anonymous8:49 PM

    How perfect! It certainly does deserve thinking about MORE than 13 times. What a wonderful way of life.

    Happy TT :)

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  14. It must have be meditative to type.

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  15. wow! Perfect thirteen! I also believe in the same thing. Our lives will only make sense once we start giving our self to others. Kindness must be genuine.

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  16. That feels like a kind of tongue twister. I couldn't keep it straight.

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  17. a very awesome idea! I'm going to say that to myself 13 times when i go to bed!

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  18. I love your TT. I studied Buddhism for 2.5 years awhile back and now come to think of it I am not even sure why I stopped, I was truly at my happiest then...I should look into it again.

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  19. Anonymous10:06 PM

    This is maze of kindness. Lao Tzu is my all time favorite.

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  20. Awesome Sandy!

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  21. Boy, aint that the truth? We should all practice this. Great list. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by:)

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  22. Very kewl. Thanks for sharing. Happy T13!

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  23. Words to live by. Happy TT.

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  24. Very good words to repeat! Happy TT

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  25. Anonymous11:06 PM

    Easy to say, not so easy to do. Life has a way of making kindness look unkind, and good intentions go amiss.

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  26. Easier to say than to do, yes! To have the words is to have a direction, though--exactly what I need right now.

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  27. that felt like I just meditated and feel refreshed Thank you for the message and you r kind words on mine:)

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  28. Very true words.

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  29. Anonymous2:38 AM

    Sandy, this is beautiful!

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  30. A wise fellow. I have a statue of him just over my shoulder as I type.

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  31. This is such a great post.. words and music.. great stuff.

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  32. Very nicely said.

    I would leave you with this.
    He who heeds the word wisely will find good. And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he. The wise in heart will be called prudent and sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a well spring of life to him who has it. but the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth. And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant wwords are like a honeycomb. Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:20-24

    Have a blessed day.

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  33. Profound and love-suffused. And saying it 13 times makes one know it "by heart." That creates the confidence to be big and generous. That image you chose is just that--big and generous.

    And thank you for the gentle "soundtrack." A good thing for me to listen to this morning, Sandy.

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  34. A fine mantra. It reminds "Louis" of this: May all our thoughts be such that if one asks you at any moment what you are thinking you can always admit it without shame - Marcus Aurelius. It also brought to mind Dietrich Bonhöffer's admonition to be careful of what we think because ("Louis" is paraphrasing here) the thought produces the words and the words produce the deeds.

    "Louis" thanks you for your visit to San Francisco Bay Daily Photo and your comments about your uncle, Laurence Isbell, who was lost on the U.S.S. Herring, SS 223.

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  35. That's a good mantra to live by. Great T13.

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  36. These are excellent thoughts and ideals to live by. My grandfather was a zen priest and I could feel so much peace from him.

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  37. Anonymous11:56 AM

    More than 13 times. It deserves rethinking many more times than that. Very good job! Happy Thursday!

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  38. Anonymous12:06 PM

    Oh, I need this today! Thanks for posting it. *wg* Happy TT!

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  39. This is lovely. I'm glad you found something that brings you serenity. (Thanks for visiting my TT)

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  40. So simple and so beautiful.

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  41. so powerful and so true.
    Happy TT!
    My 35th Edition
    Fav Children's Authors
    Always @ The Cafe.

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  42. So wonderful, dear Sandy! Repetition imprints the thoughts on the mind! :D

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  43. Anonymous3:41 PM

    What a peaceful saying! I'll be thinking about this one.

    Thank you.

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  44. What an interesting thought.

    Happy TT!

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  45. A man with a saffron robe and shaved head stood in front of a hot dog
    vendor and asked, "Can you make me one with everything?"

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  46. Anonymous11:35 PM

    Awesome! Will have to pass it on.

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  47. Absolutely marvelous ... this meditation definitely bears multiple repetition.
    Hugs and blessings,

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  48. Anonymous4:31 AM

    Great posting. So true and uplifting. And interesting as I go to China tomorrow and will visit many taoist temples. :) Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!

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  49. That's very nice! Thanks for the thought.

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  50. aww i like that sculpture. that is one I would like to have.

    ascenderrisesabove.com/wordpress

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Thanks for being here.