自然Ziran Dao
The Journey · Principles of Life II

Soft as bamboo

Flexibility is life, rigidity is death

Walk into the forest after a heavy winter storm. You will see great, majestic oaks snapped in half. But you will never see the bamboo broken. When the storm blows, the bamboo bends all the way down to the ground – and when the storm has passed, it gently straightens up again.

What is stiff, hard and unbending belongs to death. What is soft, pliable and adaptable belongs to life.

Notice when you turn sulky because things aren't going exactly as you planned. Practice the mental gymnastics: 'This wasn't the plan – but how can I be soft like the bamboo and make the best of this new path?'

The soft and yielding belong to life. The stiff and hard belong to death.Daodejing, chapter 76
Reflection

In which situation are you 'the oak' refusing to bend? What are you afraid will happen if you yield?

Today's practice

When a plan changes today: instead of sighing, say 'Okay – new path.' And mean it.