Heart of the Pine, joints of the Bamboo.
The Heart of the Pine, the Joints of the Bamboo.
The heart of the pine is solid, the joints of the bamboo are hard; therefore they do not wither in the cold of winter, but continue to flourish even through snow and frost.
What I realise as I observe this is the Tao of establishing life through cultivation and discipline. If people can avoid what is shameful, be serious, sincere and impartial, then their hearts will be solid. When the heart is solid, one cannot be corrupted by wealth or status, one cannot be moved by poverty or lowliness, one cannot be suppressed by authority or force.
Dealing with events fearlessly, undisturbed by difficulty, the fortunes or misfortunes one may encounter are up to others, while the creation of life is up to oneself. If people can cultivate themselves and control their affairs, resting in the proper place, standing firm and unmoving, then they will be regulated and strong. Being regulated and strong, they do not act in any way that is improper, they do not dwell on anything but the Tao, they do not do anything unjust.
Accepting the bitter along with the sweet, able to lead and able to follow, accepting both life and death, always responsive yet always tranquil, not moved by things, firm of heart and strong in discipline, one can thereby handle ease, one can thereby handle danger, one can thereby act, one can thereby rest, one can thereby change adaptively without hindrance, unfixed to any given pattern, uninhibited in any way.
Awakening to the Tao - Liu I-Ming
trans. Thomas Cleary