teachings of billionaire YenTzu #3
(James Carr - Life Turned Her That Way)
LISTEN
Stalking The Heron, (infinite patience, immediate results)
'So his obsession for not leting go of anything finally caught up with him,' commented Yan Kan to himself, on hearing news that the Emperor had met with an untimely end.
It had been several years now since Yan Kan had fortuitously escaped the Emperor's wrath. It had been his experience of stalking the heron that had led him to see things in a different light. When water accumulates, it breeds predatory fish. And when rites and duties become decorations, they breed artificial and hypocritical people. The title that the Emperor had quickly invented and thrown to him that day, and which he had so obsequiously caught, were now empty and meaningless to him.
He had decided at that moment to apply his new found virtue of patience to more meaningful pursuits and departed the Court.
He would no more attach such importance to such false things. And he would no more suggest solutions that sought reward by pandering to the whims of another in authority. Any leader who demanded, needed or revelled in such bolstering was an insecure leader. How strange it is that when rulers have obsessions, thier subjects do a lot of posturing; when a ruler is crafty, their subjects are devious; and when a ruler is demanding, their subjects are contentious. Any ruler who blamed ill luck for the state of his kingdom and sought to determine outcomes by using his strength to hold on to something weaker, was bound to fall sooner or later.
Yan Kan felt no surprise that the Emperor had lost his life through his rigid attachment to his policy for growth and recognition. His wise friend Cai Tok had ben right: 'When political leaders ruin their countries and wreck their lands, themselves to die at others hands, it is always because of their impatient desires.'
Since becoming a merchant, Yan Kan had determined to himself that he would follow the sage-like philosophy he now knew to be true: 'To be able to use the power of other people, it is necessary to win people's hearts. To be able to win people's hearts, it is necessary to have self mastery. To be capable of self mastery, it is necessary to have patience.'
Yan Kan resolved to apply patience in everything, particularly when he encountered the obstacles which he had discovered were as much a part of business as they were of life.
'The ancients were certainly wise in creating writing symbols that contained the meanings of both crisis and opportunity. I will see every obstacle as a further reminder to be infinitely patient and unattached to any particular schedule. For in such flexibility lies the power to cultivate the hidden pearl of opportunity from the grit of adversity.'
Friday, 18 July 2008
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
musicology #192
teachings of billionaire YenTzu #2
(Van Morrison - Comfort You)
LISTEN
Freeing The Bear, (growing strong relationships)
‘During one particularly difficult winter a certain man thought about how he could reduce his expenses,’ began the storyteller to the listening crowd. ‘And he came up with what he thought was a bright idea. He decided to give his hard-working mule a little less grain and hay. This he did and the mule seemed quite content. So, a few days later, he gave it a little less and it still appeared to be happy.
‘This continued until the man was giving the animal less than half it’s normal ration. The mule moved more slowly and was quieter, but the man still thought it was healthy and happy. Then, one morning, much to his surprise, he entered his barn and discovered that his mule had died in the night. This man then wept and cried aloud saying, “My trusty mule is dead and just when he was getting used to not eating.”
The crowd that now surrounded the storyteller roared with laughter. ‘What did the fool expect!’ shouted someone.
‘Exactly so!’ said the storyteller. ‘To expect the continued support of such a loyal companion, without any sustenance, is foolish. Yet that is how Man himself often behaves towards loyal friends, measuring the strength of their relationships through the lack of complaint they receive.’
‘But man is not an ass,’ shouted another bystander, accenuating the last word to another roar of laughter from the crowd. ‘He does not have to suffer in silence. When he is hungry everybody knows about it. He is like a bear with a sore head!’
‘But when he is hungry for something that really matters to him he is as silent as the night,’ said the storyteller. ‘People go to bed at night starving for affection, praise and love, more than they ever do for food. For it is their relationships that upset their stomachs more than lack of food.
‘In truth, we must never compromise the important relationships in our lives by reducing the level of sustenance every relationship must have to be strong. We must never take the silence of another as agreement to how well we think we are treating them. Indeed, we must never take any of our relationships for granted, for we might discover that one day the very spark of what was once good has slowly died.’
(Van Morrison - Comfort You)
LISTEN
Freeing The Bear, (growing strong relationships)
‘During one particularly difficult winter a certain man thought about how he could reduce his expenses,’ began the storyteller to the listening crowd. ‘And he came up with what he thought was a bright idea. He decided to give his hard-working mule a little less grain and hay. This he did and the mule seemed quite content. So, a few days later, he gave it a little less and it still appeared to be happy.
‘This continued until the man was giving the animal less than half it’s normal ration. The mule moved more slowly and was quieter, but the man still thought it was healthy and happy. Then, one morning, much to his surprise, he entered his barn and discovered that his mule had died in the night. This man then wept and cried aloud saying, “My trusty mule is dead and just when he was getting used to not eating.”
The crowd that now surrounded the storyteller roared with laughter. ‘What did the fool expect!’ shouted someone.
‘Exactly so!’ said the storyteller. ‘To expect the continued support of such a loyal companion, without any sustenance, is foolish. Yet that is how Man himself often behaves towards loyal friends, measuring the strength of their relationships through the lack of complaint they receive.’
‘But man is not an ass,’ shouted another bystander, accenuating the last word to another roar of laughter from the crowd. ‘He does not have to suffer in silence. When he is hungry everybody knows about it. He is like a bear with a sore head!’
‘But when he is hungry for something that really matters to him he is as silent as the night,’ said the storyteller. ‘People go to bed at night starving for affection, praise and love, more than they ever do for food. For it is their relationships that upset their stomachs more than lack of food.
‘In truth, we must never compromise the important relationships in our lives by reducing the level of sustenance every relationship must have to be strong. We must never take the silence of another as agreement to how well we think we are treating them. Indeed, we must never take any of our relationships for granted, for we might discover that one day the very spark of what was once good has slowly died.’
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
musicology #191
teachings of billionaire YenTzu #1
(Third World - Now That We Found Love)
LISTEN
new theme built around the teachings of legendary taoist Yen Tzu who, legend tells, founded a famous academy somewhere in the mountains of an Eastern Province in ancient China around two and a half thousand years ago which led him to become China’s first commercial billionaire. not that this is about money, rather self mastery through individual inner understanding which, for themusicologist is the only ‘way’ to navigate a course through life’s most dangerous waters.
this the first ‘lesson’ taught by Yen Tzu is known as ‘Taming The Bull‘ (harmonising communication)
‘Toeless Wong was crippled for allowing Duke Ling’s prize bull to run amok in the kilns,’ said Ho Chi, in answer to his fellow disciples question. ‘Indeed it is said that he lost a toe for every one of the ten Imperial vases that were smashed.’
‘In truth it was through having his feet stamped on by the mighty bull while he bravely fought to recapture it’, said their patriach, Yen Tzu, upon overhearing their discourse.
‘By my ancestors,’ exclaimed Ho Chi, ‘what courage!’
‘Indeed yes,’ said Yen Tzu, ‘but fighting yang with yang is not the way to communicate and overcome.’
‘It is said that yin and yang connect all,’ said Ho Chi, ‘but please explain how, in the context of such a difficult situation.’
‘the mutual seeking of yin and yang depends on opening and closing.’ Began Yen Tzu. ‘Opening and closing are the natural principles that influence the rise and fall in all of heaven and earth’s ten thousand things, including man and beast. Yin and yang should always be harmonious. for the opposite of one, redresses the balances of the other.
‘When the bull was in yang mode, so was toeless Wong. Rather than adapting yin mode, he fought charge with charge. He pitted his agression against the bulls. When yang is hard and agressive, only the yielding softness of yin can calm it. As a seasoned keeper, Wong knew full well how to calm the bull. But seeing the crashing commotion before him he forgot, and was as a fool rushing in. In doing so he was no different to the bull.
‘Yin and yang modes can be taught to be switched on or off according to what is needed. Yin or yang must be used as appropriate to tame that part within all of us which can be likened to a charging bull, and to soften the raging bull within others who appear to be attacking us. ‘Men’ do not mirror themselves in running water; they can only see themselves in still water. Only what is still, can calm to stillness others.
‘Always remember that it is important to know when to speak and when to remain silent. When you want to hear others’ voices, return to silence; when you want to be expansive, be withdrawn; when you want to rise, lower yourself; when you want to take, give; and when you want to overcome, give way.’
(Third World - Now That We Found Love)
LISTEN
new theme built around the teachings of legendary taoist Yen Tzu who, legend tells, founded a famous academy somewhere in the mountains of an Eastern Province in ancient China around two and a half thousand years ago which led him to become China’s first commercial billionaire. not that this is about money, rather self mastery through individual inner understanding which, for themusicologist is the only ‘way’ to navigate a course through life’s most dangerous waters.
this the first ‘lesson’ taught by Yen Tzu is known as ‘Taming The Bull‘ (harmonising communication)
‘Toeless Wong was crippled for allowing Duke Ling’s prize bull to run amok in the kilns,’ said Ho Chi, in answer to his fellow disciples question. ‘Indeed it is said that he lost a toe for every one of the ten Imperial vases that were smashed.’
‘In truth it was through having his feet stamped on by the mighty bull while he bravely fought to recapture it’, said their patriach, Yen Tzu, upon overhearing their discourse.
‘By my ancestors,’ exclaimed Ho Chi, ‘what courage!’
‘Indeed yes,’ said Yen Tzu, ‘but fighting yang with yang is not the way to communicate and overcome.’
‘It is said that yin and yang connect all,’ said Ho Chi, ‘but please explain how, in the context of such a difficult situation.’
‘the mutual seeking of yin and yang depends on opening and closing.’ Began Yen Tzu. ‘Opening and closing are the natural principles that influence the rise and fall in all of heaven and earth’s ten thousand things, including man and beast. Yin and yang should always be harmonious. for the opposite of one, redresses the balances of the other.
‘When the bull was in yang mode, so was toeless Wong. Rather than adapting yin mode, he fought charge with charge. He pitted his agression against the bulls. When yang is hard and agressive, only the yielding softness of yin can calm it. As a seasoned keeper, Wong knew full well how to calm the bull. But seeing the crashing commotion before him he forgot, and was as a fool rushing in. In doing so he was no different to the bull.
‘Yin and yang modes can be taught to be switched on or off according to what is needed. Yin or yang must be used as appropriate to tame that part within all of us which can be likened to a charging bull, and to soften the raging bull within others who appear to be attacking us. ‘Men’ do not mirror themselves in running water; they can only see themselves in still water. Only what is still, can calm to stillness others.
‘Always remember that it is important to know when to speak and when to remain silent. When you want to hear others’ voices, return to silence; when you want to be expansive, be withdrawn; when you want to rise, lower yourself; when you want to take, give; and when you want to overcome, give way.’
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Friday, 11 July 2008
Thursday, 10 July 2008
musicology #188
nowordsjustmusic #4
(Jimmy Riley - Woman’s Gotta Have It)
after silence that which comes closest to expressing the inexpressible is music
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
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