251120 What I learned in my studies this morning 6

Today's Meditation(s):

Chuang Tzu's Empty Boat

He who rules men lives in confusion;

He who is ruled by men lives in sorrow.

Tao therefore desired

Neither to influence others

Nor to be influenced by them.

The way to get clear of confusion

And free of sorrow

Is to live with Tao

In the land of the great Void.

If a man is crossing a river

And an empty boat collides with his own skiff,

Even though he be a bad-tempered man

He will not become very angry.

But if he sees a man in the boat,

He will shout at him to steer clear.

If the shout is not heard, he will shout again,

And yet again, and begin cursing.

And all because there is somebody in the boat.

Yet if the boat were empty.

He would not be shouting, and not angry.

If you can empty your own boat

Crossing the river of the world,

No one will oppose you,

No one will seek to harm you.

A classic teaching for a reason. Let my boat be empty. Let me understand the other boats are empty and react accordingly. 

Resist the first impulse. Do not add judgments to experience. Remain calm. Let go of anger and frustration.