The Te of Piglet

I have been casually reading the book “The Te of Piglet” by Benjamin Hoff. I am ABSOLUTELY loving it. It is a read I recommend to others. There is a section in the book, specifically pages 13 through 23 where he is teaching what he believes Taoism to be. It is very interesting to me since I do know very little about exactly what it is. Just as the book states, there are similar teachings in other circle’s where spirituality and understanding are of high importance. He states, “On the North American continent, they are passed on in some of what remains of native teachings-those of the “Indians.” In Europe they have largely died out, but traces of their influence can still be seen in such comparatively recent phenomena as stone circles and the marking of “ley lines” (called “dragon veins” by the Chinese)-channels along which earth energy is concentrated. In Tibet, until the Communist invasion, ancient ways were preserved in Tibetan Buddhism, many of the secrets and practices of which predate Buddhism by thousands of years. In Japan, they have been passed on through Taoism. And, despite violent opposition from China’s Communist government, they continue to be passed on today.”

I thought this, in and of itself, is quite accurate and very profound. But…before he states this he discuss a space in which we all used to live and what that was like. This might be kinda long but I wanted to type some of what it says because I truly believe this to be ideal and absolutely beautiful. I know we can all return to this space of being as we each strive to live it within ourselves.

Here it is: “Thousands of years ago, man lived in harmony with the rest of the natural world. Through what we would today call Telepathy, he communicated with animals, plants, and other forms of life-none of which he considered “beneath” himself, only different, with different jobs to perform. He worked side by side with earth angels and nature spirits, with whom he shared responsibility for taking care of the world.

The earth’s atmosphere was very different from what it is now, with a great deal more vegetation-supporting moisture. A tremendous variety of vegetable, fruit, seed and grain food was available. Because of such a diet, and a lack of unnatural strain, human life span was many times longer than what it is today. The killing of animal for food or “sport” was unthinkable. Man lived at peace with himself and the various life forms, whom he considered his teachers and friends.”

He goes on to discuss how “ego” came into play and with that we were left to our own demise. We could only longer feel the earth angels and speak with the animals for help, hence we were to use our own means to find true happiness since it had been lost with the presence of ego. These pages have been quite inspiring for me. These are thoughts and ideas which I felt I already knew but I loved the way he wrote it here.

One last quote from the book is where he quotes Chuang-tse speaking of the Age of Perfect Virtue. “In the Age of Perfect Virtue, men lived among the animals and birds as members of one large family. There were no distinctions between “superior” and “inferior” to separate one man or species from another. All retained their natural Virtue and lived in a state of pure simplicity…

In the Age of Perfect Virtue, wisdom and ability were not singled out as extraordinary. The wise were seen as higher branches on humanity’s tree, growing a little closer to the sun. People behaved correctly, without knowing that to be Righteousness or Propriety. They loved and respected each other, without calling that Benevolence. They were faithful and honest, without considering that to be Loyalty. They kept their word, without thinking of Good Faith. In their everyday conduct, they helped and employed each other, without considering Duty. They did not concern themselves with Justice, as there was no injustice. Living in harmony with themselves, each other, and the world, their actions left no trace and so we have no physical record of their existence.”

So….this is going up on my white board for the next little while. This is the place I still strive to stay in. I recognize my learning path but also feel I will aspire to be this person to every specie here on our MAGNIFICENT planet, Earth. I feel we can all make this our intent and truly recreate this ultimate space of peace. But first, we must find it within ourselves.