The real human

This is Geng Xiaghuang (1887-1972), a famous martial arts master. Maybe he is not the same Master Geng mentioned in the text. Maybe he looks like his ancestor.

Ten steps, a hundred steps, a thousand miles, ten thousand miles-- it goes out gradually. If you just let it go with no restraint, it will get lost and never return. 


Master Geng said, "The ancient way has not yet collapsed, it is in people. It was not only in the people of the past; it is also in people of the present day; it will also be in people of the future. The real human has never grown more or less; the real human being has never died or been born."

This is Thomas Cleary's translation of a work attributed to an author who wrote in 1739 under the pen name Cultivator of Realization. Master Geng gives us a lot to think about, which is very different from our every day lives. Email me with your suggestions!

The Human Route

Coming empty handed, going empty-handed, that is human.

When you are born, where do you come from?

When you die, where do you go?

Life is like a floating cloud which appears.

Death is like a floating cloud that disappears,

The floating cloud itself originally does not exist.

Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.

But there is one thing which always remains clear.

It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

What, then, is the one pure and clear thing?

This passage appeared in a catalog advertising meditation cushions and other meditation accessories. No author or translator was noted in the catalog. I suppose it is a Taoist or Buddhist poem. Can you tell me where it comes from? 

Though I cannot explain why I find this poem meaningful, and I still wonder, what is the one pure and clear thing?

Thinking is the living potential of the mind

Ancient Philosopher Confucius

Thinking is the living potential of the mind. Freedom from error is the overall principle. The nine thoughts are the specific principles:


1. Thinking how to see clearly
2. Thinking how to hear keenly
3. Thinking how to make a warm impression
4. Thinking how to be respectful in demeanor
5. Thinking how to be truthful in speech
6. Thinking how to be serious at work
7. Thinking how to pose questions when in doubt
8. Thinking about what troubles may occur when angry
9. Thinking about justice when seeing profit to be made.

This recycled wisdom is by the ancient Chinese philosopher we know in English as Confucius. His ideas permanently shaped human behavior in Asia, without having to invoke gods or spirits to enforce social ethics. His words and ideas are worthy of deep study, as has been practiced for over 2000 years in China and throughout Asia. His influence is not well known in the U.S., but throughout Asia he is held in the same regard as Buddha and Lao Tzu, the "founder" of Taoism. 


I printed these words out and refer to them frequently. At my last job, I taped them on the wall next to my computer screen. Other people saw them but no one commented. Describing thought as "the living potential of the mind" galvanized my awareness and lead naturally to the nine specific principles derived from the overall principle, freedom from error.


Throughout my life I have relied on numerous translators and publishers of Asian thought. Regrettably I did not keep bibliographic information on the quotes I have gathered over the years. Therefore I cannot provide specific attribution to recycled wisdom appearing in this blog. My recollection is that this translation was made by Thomas Cleary, who has translated a treasure trove of spiritual and philosophical literature from Chinese and a number of other different languages. In my opinion, he is surely a genius to be able to comprehend and interpret such abstruse, profound, and esoteric wisdom.