In every single Chinese text, i.e. Tao-te-ching, I Ching, etc., there is always a reference to heaven. As I mentioned the ancients did not have a singular god with any ideology that Heaven is this place all go after death where some utopia type existence is believed. I have been studying these ancient texts for a while along with my practice and study of karate-do which as the Yin half the study of the ken-po goku-i along with its connections to those same texts. I have come to an initial conclusion as to what heaven is in this context.
There is the physical and there is the non-physical; Yang-n-Yin. One cannot exist with out the other much like up-n-down; good-n-bad; hard-n-soft and so on. When they mention heaven-n-earth this duality also must be as one will not exist with out the other. Neither will exist if not for the great tai chi or the Tao.
Where I want to focus as to try and explain the totality of heaven in the texts I would prefer to give my views as to how that works with humans, mankind, persons, etc. We directly deal with the physical but with out the non-physical we would be no more than animals. It is the heaven aspect as I perceive it that gives us that unique "thing" which makes us human. It also makes us non-human for with out the ability to be both you cannot be "one human."
Heaven deals with that which constitutes a "spirit" within each of us. Not as in ghost type spirit but that innate quality that makes us either human or non-human with all the variations that fall between the two extremes. Simply stated heaven in humans can be either "love" or "hatred." After all we all experience both to one extent or the other.
To truly adhere to the ancient texts teachings of "heaven" we must find those aspects/qualities that promote love, love of self; love of others; love of mankind; love of nature; love of the entire Universe.
We learn to kick and strike with karate efficiency and deadly intent. The difference between brutality is this aspect spoken of as our relation to heaven, listening to heaven, and letting heaven guide us. This begs the question, what are the traits that cause this heaven influence to guide us to the proper path?
I will now list those adjectives that I believe help us to "begin to understand" what the ancient classical texts are trying to teach humankind, for over a thousand plus years.
Benevolence
Filial Piety
Respect
Loyalty
Honesty
Rectitude
Courage
Honor
Goodness
Righteousness
Good Faith
Virtue
Equanimity
Gentleness
Economy
Balance
Proper Attitude
Attentiveness
Acceptance
Kindness
Morality
Civility
Patience
Tolerance
etc...
These are what is meant by influence of heaven; and all the other references lead to a "pattern of behavior; the actions we take; the example we set; the deeds we perform." A good beginning.
My personal "Interpretive" Lens!
"One thing has always been true: That book ... or ... that person who can give me an idea or a new slant on an old idea is my friend." - Louis L'Amour
"Read not to contradict and confute; nor to believe and take for granted; nor to find talk and discourse; but to weigh and consider..." - Francis Bacon
"What is true today may be reevaluated as false not long after. Judgements are frequently based upon a set of "temporary" circumstances surrounding them. Conflicting ideologies can exist simultaneously. Antagonistic dualities are complementary aspects of a unified whole: are seen as mutually dependent mirror images of each other." - Nahum Stiskin
Warning, Caveat and Note: The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books.
Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.
Kenpo Gokui
A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth while the blood circulating is similar to the Sun and Moon yet the manner of drinking and spitting is either soft or hard while a person's unbalance is the same as a weight and the body should be able to change direction at any time as the time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself and both the eyes must see all sides as the ears must listen in all directions while the mind must grasp all the tactile, olfactory and gustation data not seen on all sides and not heard in any direction
All Bottles are Truly Good
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