True Strength - Climb a Mountain from a Molehill
There is a great quote by the writer Thoreau that says: “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” We are shown great tragedies in the news, books and movies, tragedies that seem to happen on a grand scale to large and famous public figures in grand battles, disasters and scenes of loss. However, this has made many people feel alienated, as within the lives of many, many who are not on the world stage but living ordinary and anonymous lives, within their hearts can suffer very greatly - perhaps not visibly. but greatly nonetheless. It is for this reason, I believe that the quote from Thoreau has struck a chord - because it captures a very poignant truth.
But lately I have been thinking that there is a brighter side to this insight, a sort of ‘cup is half full’ way of looking at this truth that Thoreau touched upon. Thousands of years ago, the Taoists appreciated that while on one hand we all exist within the larger world, that on the other hand, to each of us, all of our experiences form our very own world in itself.
As a result of this insight, I think there is a more positive way of looking at Thoreau’s brilliant but a bit gloomy idea. That is this: its not just tragedies that can loom large to every day people, at the same time within the lives of everyday people, someone you may pass on the subway or at work or at school without giving a second notice, great battles can be being waged - and won. We hear about great victories at the World Cup or on the news in war or in the movies. But no less spectacular, maybe more so, are very difficult struggles that are being waged and won by and within everyday people. Victories as great as any other but of which no one will ever know.
One person battles a sickness and wins, another overcomes a learning difficulty, another summons the drive and discipline to start her own business. Every day a thousand un-heralded battles are being fought and won - and no one will every know of them.
But so what? - These inner personal victories, while they may never be cheered, rewarded or recognized are still great and are still important. The Taoists recognized inner cultivation and inner development against personal difficulties as one of the prime, important and difficult struggles of life. In the Tao Te Ching, it states: “to see the small is called discernment” and appreciating the value of such seemingly small developments is important. This importance is recognized as the Tao Te Ching says:
He who knows himself has discernment
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong.
In other words, to overcome ones own difficulties takes greater personal strength than a more outward victory, even though the outer ones are more celebrated. And it is these inner victories, according the the great Asian strategists like, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu and Musashi, that form the true basis for outward strategy and success as well. For each of these thinkers inner cultivation - conquering yourself - is the first and most important step that will lead to an ability to act successfully in the world.
For example, all of these thinkers argue that inner calm and peacefulness lead to clear, objective, intuitive and flexible strategic thinking, leading to victory within combat, politics and life in general.
So, on this eve of the new year we can think of our own resolutions not as little annoyances but as the beginnings of a great battle and a great victory, perhaps one that has no medals and no cheering sections, but valiant nonetheless - and maybe more important than we can ever imagine.
Lorne
By the way – I have left fewer entries than usual in the past few weeks, but this is because this blog will be being featured as part of a new website in the next couple of weeks and so I wanted to save up some stuff for that, so keep reading I am still going strong and just getting started!!
(c) Lorne Gross, 2010
