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“87. A clear mirror reflects all things in the world, whether they are judged as “unpleasant,” or “beautiful.” “Unpleasant” things do not damage mirrors. A mirror does not cling to the images it reflects, once something is out of view, no trace is left behind.”

“First, we recognize that thoughts are options, not commands. Our heart pumps blood throughout the body, like how thoughts arise in relation to our brain activity. It is easy to be swayed by the illusion that you are just the content of your thoughts, but you are also the process that can transcend and guide them. They are options, just information to be considered, not who you are.”

“From another perspective, death is necessary to sustain the living. In our everyday lives, cells die; indeed, their death is necessary for life. Apoptosis, or selective cell death, is a developmental process that occurs throughout our lives especially in the initial stages. One of the primary risk factors of developing autism is the failure of apoptosis. This is also reflected psychologically; as we get older there are behaviors that must “die” before new psychological structures and behaviors can emerge. Alternatively, too much life can bring death. In adulthood, cells continue to proliferate, and when there is not the added component of death or apoptosis, cancer emerges.”

“When the conceptual world of the intellect acts as a gravity well, it collapses the present moment into duality, which is not the actual nature of experience. We start to live farther away from the facts, resulting in a narrowing of vision, further concealing truths that may not benefit from being hidden.”

“2. It only takes a few seconds to remember that our bodies are vibrant landscapes, worlds shaped by the forces of nature. Within each human are elements forged from ancient stars, rivers of blood reflecting the great waterways of earth, neural pathways branching like sprawling roots of forests, and electromagnetic waves humming in rhythm with invisible forces around us. We are simultaneously mountain, ocean, and sky; a microcosm, home to millions of organisms.”

“It only takes a few seconds to remember that our bodies are vibrant landscapes, worlds shaped by the forces of nature. Within each human are elements forged from ancient stars, rivers of blood reflecting the great waterways of earth, neural pathways branching like sprawling roots of forests, and electromagnetic waves humming in rhythm with invisible forces around us. We are simultaneously mountain, ocean, and sky; a microcosm, home to millions of organisms.”

“In the enigma of existence, nature becomes a wordless teacher whose very process serves as a path toward deeper knowledge and insight. Science seeks to understand nature through observation and measurement. Daoism seeks a way of life that is most natural (自然, Ziran), guided by an attunement to nature, the discernment of its patterns and the expression that follows.”

“I adopt a different path, one that unfolds horizontally.... Rather than framing humankind’s condition as a “fall”, I consider it a “straying”—a term whose roots can be traced back to the vulgar latin word “estragare” which translates to “wander out of bounds.” Language, as Daoism observes, deepens this estrangement by carving out distinctions, magnifying the sense of multiplicity and separateness. By systematically dissolving these conceptual edifices, we traverse the horizontal continuum, potentially unveiling a primordial state known as the uncarved wood(樸).”

“Artificial drugs or technological temptations hijack our natural reinforcement systems into believing we are meeting a goal that was important for survival. This deception increases their value and presence while reducing the importance of more beneficial interests. We can be like moths swarming an artificial light, believing it is the moon.”