When alive, the body is supple, yielding.
The manner of drinking is soft. To achieve a level of ability where we can bend with the forces of nature and spring back with readiness. We can become like the bamboo weighted down in heavy snow where we bend to its will until we touch the ground (achieve proper response) release the weight of the snow and spring back to our full potential with mind-no-mind, i.e. not being effected emotionally or mentally.
In death, the body becomes hard, unyielding.
The manner of spitting is hard. When circumstances take us beyond a point of no return then the bamboo stalk strikes effectively and first. The strength of bamboo, which is hollow, empty, or void, has an exterior that is hard with the flexibility that creates power and strength in striking first. This is the last resort!
Living plants are flexible,
In death, they become dry and brittle.
To practice the way of the empty hand is to be both hard and soft, balanced, and of such ability that we see and hear everything the Tao has to offer. We forge a spirit, mind, and body that is balanced allowing for free flow of life's energies bring health and long life.
When we fail in this we become unbalanced and the body dries up and dies. We must train properly in the Way to achieve this.
Therefore, stubborn people are disciples of death, but
Flexible people are disciples of life.
To achieve "heart"; to be like the Universe (Heaven and Earth); to practice with whole heartedness is to achieve the Way. Open your heart and you open your mind and body to the possibilities. Conquer the ego and you can "see" and "hear" what the Tao has to offer. It will take you places never dreamed of in life; let go and achieve much.
In the same way,
Inflexible soldiers cannot win (a victory).
And the hardest trees are readiest for an axe to chop them down
Tough guys sink to the bottom, while
Flexible people rise to the top.
Following the way is best. To follow the ego means we discard the true way and follow the path to trophies, belts, accolades, and such things that make us "hard". The remaining hard means we truly tax the spirit-mind-body taking us away from balance that stresses it to the point where disease destroys.
Those who take this path never reach great achievements in the Way and the Tao but in short time succumb to the fires of the ego resulting in death. Why do you think some quit when they can no longer achieve the ego's desires?
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