The Way and the Power of Virtue

Wise people set themselves and others forever free from outsmarting and expectations.   They won’t ever try to outsmart others and they do not act only for themselves – then nothing is left ungoverned. To become sages, we engage in a two-fold process of self-acceptance and surrender of our own expectations.   To become sages, or wise people, we must constantly setting ourselves and others free from the need to “outsmart” others – understanding that we are already enough.   Content in our identity and purpose, we don’t need to look for opportunities to appear smart or put others down to curry favor or to outmaneuver others through our cunning or intellect, our best laid plans, or by devising strategies to outcompete or get ahead at the expense of others.   We don’t need to “ show off ," roast someone, always have a witty or barbed comment or backhanded complement -- even though that is what is portrayed and propagated in so much of our entertainment and social med...

  Don’t put "desirable" objects on display and people’s hearts won’t be disturbed. We live in a world that feels like it must constantly “show off” and “showcase” its bling and put itself on display for all to see.   We are constantly bombarded with marketing manipulations telling us what is "desirable," what we should want, and what we need to do be "desirable."  So w e don our new swag, accessories with the latest fashions, surround ourselves with “eye candy” and wonder if it's enough.  We feel pressure from the world and put pressure on ourselves to look “desirable” personally and professionally – to be wanted, accepted, valued, and deemed worthy.   When we try to show-off, either our accomplishments, attributes, abilities, or accessories, we disturb our hearts and stir up trouble.   Who likes feeling that we are an object on display all the time?   Who likes the pressure of having to dress up, get made up, and appear a certain way to win acceptance...

  Don’t vaunt people as “worthy” one over another and they won’t compete with each other. This chapter has traditionally had a dual reading, one for leadership and governance of people and one for self-governance of our own hearts and minds.   These two readings are inextricably linked because we by example. The first half of this chapter deals with three principles addressing (self) promotion and competition, objectification and (self) valuation, and flaunting, displaying, or showing off and (inner) peace and contentment.   First, we live in a (mis)judgmental world, a roller coaster of relative reality, relationships, and constant comparisons .   Every day in so many ways we pass judgment on ourselves and others.   We pay more attention to certain people while ignoring others.   We put certain things and people on pedestals and deem them “worthy” of our attention and striving.   In striving to find where we fit in, we often fall into the trap of bel...