The Way of Destruction - the Tao of the Times?

The "Way" translates as "Tao" in Chinese. In Taoist philosophy, the Tao is the unknowable source - of being, non-being and change - the basic, eternal principle of the universe that transcends reality. The Tao is change, and the principle and process of change; it is the reality of constant flux and the process of realizing harmony and balance in that flux. Tao is the art or skill of doing something in harmony with the essential nature of the thing, be it the Tao of archery or the Tao of destruction.

Those who follow the Tao change along with nature and the times, and so, live consciously in harmony - with nature, the universe, change and everything - the Tao.

These are times of great change. On the surface at least, this is a time of destruction - we're facing upheavals of every kind, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to mega solar flares to mass animal die-offs and pandemic human chronic disease to revolution and social chaos.

How does one live in harmony now? How does one dance gracefully from riot to harvest? And live fully, with hope, integrity and honesty?

What is the Tao of Destruction?

reply to post by soficrow


Should we embrace our submerged animal instincts while orienting ourselves toward death and destruction, that the old may be destroyed and the new born. Or perhaps we could take a trip to the dark side, dance with the devil, and be totally engulfed by a stern and self-effacing causality, that the eternal principle of efficiency will destroy the much inflated elements of our current society.

Eventually though, an equilibrium must be achieved between loss and gain mostly through the feminine prerogative of seeing to the welfare of the species.

reply to post by soficrow

”These are times of great change. On the surface at least, this is a time of destruction - we're facing upheavals of every kind, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to mega solar flares to mass animal die-offs and pandemic human chronic disease to revolution and social chaos.”

There is always change…so nothing is changing. There is always destruction…and upheaval…and earthquakes…and volcanoes…and all the other stuff.

”How does one live in harmony now? How does one dance gracefully from riot to harvest? And live fully, with hope, integrity and honesty?”

The harmony is with self…the inner pas de deux…unperturbed by riot or harvest.


”What is the Tao of Destruction?”

Imbalance within.

The way of destruction is the way of life. A simple example that everyone can relate to is the act of eating(devouring) other life. One must destroy other "things" in order to exist. Everything around you was something else in the past. There can be nothing outside of duality for it could not exist.

How does one dance gracefully from riot to harvest?

How can one not? If you see something as bad then it will be. How is "judgement" of nature natural?

Cultured people value the process of waxing and waning, filling and emptying, for these are the course of Nature

I Ching, mountain over earth

Thank you all for your comments.

reply to post by NearPerfect

…that the old may be destroyed and the new born.

That is the way of things and life.

Or perhaps we could take a trip to the dark side, dance with the devil, and be totally engulfed by a stern and self-effacing causality, that the eternal principle of efficiency will destroy the much inflated elements of our current society.

The dark and light are both an integral part of the Tao.

Eventually though, an equilibrium must be achieved between loss and gain ...

Destruction is not always loss, nor is gain always good.

…mostly through the feminine prerogative of seeing to the welfare of the species.

Many males see to the welfare of the species, notably by caring for the young - like Emperor penguins and wolves.


reply to post by midicon

These are times of great change. On the surface at least, this is a time of destruction - we're facing upheavals of every kind, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to mega solar flares to mass animal die-offs and pandemic human chronic disease to revolution and social chaos.

There is always change…so nothing is changing. There is always destruction…and upheaval…and earthquakes…and volcanoes…and all the other stuff.

Some times are marked more by inactivity and inertia, often called "peace."

How does one live in harmony now? How does one dance gracefully from riot to harvest? And live fully, with hope, integrity and honesty?

The harmony is with self…the inner pas de deux…unperturbed by riot or harvest.

The poverty-stricken mothers and fathers in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya who are unable to feed their children are perturbed, as are the mothers and baby daughters raped by soldiers in turn. Some realities are perturbing.

Yet the Tao demands harmony in context, self with self and self with "environment."

What is the Tao of Destruction?

Imbalance within.

Impossible - the Tao is balance. The Tao of Destruction involves moving harmoniously through destruction and chaos, perhaps by embracing it. …I am asking about the qualities of the essential balance and the characteristics of the movement.


reply to post by LordBaskettIV

The way of destruction is the way of life. ...There can be nothing outside of duality for it could not exist.

How does one dance gracefully from riot to harvest?

How can one not?

By fighting against the reality, denying it's existence and challenging it's rightful place in the Tao.

If you see something as bad then it will be.

True.

How is "judgement" of nature natural?

Well, it happens - quite naturally it seems, albeit unproductively.

Cultured people value the process of waxing and waning, filling and emptying, for these are the course of Nature

I Ching, mountain over earth

Gotta love that Ching.

Oh, I admit, sometimes it is much harder to do in reality than in concept....but hey, such is life. It would be a pretty boring adventure otherwise. I enjoy eastern thought....it doesn't get brought up that much here(well it does, but in a weird new agey sort of manner that overlooks duality as whole). A refreshing thread none the less.

we are far from the way..

As I wrote to NearPerfect,

Destruction is not always loss, nor is gain always good.

The OP explains the "Tao." Simplistically understood, following the Tao means "going with the flow." The question is:

What is the Tao of Destruction?

Oddly, one of the best answers to this question comes from Anon, in an Open Letter To The World posted in Breaking News by Lateralussicksicksick.

We have begun telling each other our own stories. Sharing our lives, our hopes, our dreams, our demons. Every second, day in day out, into all hours of the night the gritty details of life on this earth are streaming around the world. As we see the lives of others played out in our living rooms we are beginning to understand the consequences of our actions and the error of the old ways. We are questioning the old assumptions that we are made to consume not to create, that the world was made for our taking, that wars are inevitable, that poverty is unavoidable. As we learn more about our global community a fundamental truth has been rediscovered: We are not so different as we may seem. Every human has strengths, weaknesses, and deep emotions. We crave love, love laughter, fear being alone and dream for a better life.

...Keep telling your story. All must be heard.

In an interesting side note that supports the "signs of rapid change" theme, hardamber posted a video yesterday from China's MSM showing a Second Sun in the sky. Serendipity being what it is, I had just finished reading a bit of Chinese history (hard copy), reporting that two suns appeared in the sky just before the fall of evil tyrant Chou Hsin in 1122 BC.

Here's a reference on the Net:

…two suns were visible before the fall of tyrant Chou Hsin, the last Shang monarch,…

Interesting, yes?

I caught the other thread, very interesting indeed. But it also makes me wonder...is it a sign for china alone, such as a toppling of the PRC? Or will people all around the world try to mold it to thier own situations? Boxer rebelion 2.0?