posted April 01, 2006 01:34 AM
hello mysteryclub ![](http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/smile.gif)
This is from Osho Transformation Tarot:
Worth
On the virtues of uselessness
Don't be bothered too much about utilitarian ends. Rather, constantly remember that you are not here in life to become a commodity. You are not here to become a utility--that is below dignity. You are not here just to become more and more efficient--you are here to become more and more alive; you are here to become more and more intelligent; you are here to become more and more happy, ecstatically happy.
Lao Tzu was traveling with his disciples and they came to a forest where hundreds of carpenters were cutting trees, because a great palace was being built.
Almost the whole forest had been cut, but one tree was standing there, a big tree with thousands of branches--so big that ten thousand persons could sit under its shade. Lao Tzu asked his disciples to go and inquire why this tree had not been cut yet, when the whole forest had been cut and was deserted.
The disciples went and they asked the carpenters, "Why have you not cut this tree?"
The carpenters said, "This tree is absolutely useless. You cannot make anything out of it because every branch has so many knots in it. Nothing is straight. You cannot make pillars out of it, you cannot make furniture out of it. You cannot use it as fuel because the smoke is so dangerous to the eyes--you almost go blind. This tree is absolutely useless. That's why."
They came back. Lao Tzu laughed and he said, "Be like this tree. If you want to survive in this world be like this tree--absolutely useless. Then nobody will harm you. If you are straight you will be cut, you will become furniture in somebody's house. If you are beautiful you will be sold in the market, you will become a commodity. Be like this tree, absolutely useless. Then nobody can harm you. And you will grow big and vast, and thousands of people can find shade under you."
Lao Tzu has a logic altogether different from your mind. He says: Be the last. Move in the world as if you are not. Remain unknown. Don't try to be the first, don't be competitive, don't try to prove your worth. There is no need. Remain useless and enjoy.
Of course he is impractical. But if you understand him you will find that he is the most practical on a deeper layer, in the depth--because life is to enjoy and celebrate, life is not to become a utility. Life is more like poetry than like a commodity in the market; it should be like poetry, a song, a dance.
Lao Tzu says: If you try to be very clever, if you try to be very useful, you will be used. If you try to be very practical, somewhere or other you will be harnessed, because the world cannot leave the practical man alone. Lao Tzu says: Drop all these ideas. If you want to be a poem, an ecstasy, then forget about utility. Remain true to yourself.
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Perhaps being completely useless is a bit extreme, but I believe what helps (and seems what pix was saying) is awareness.
Remaining alert to shifting senses out to others. Observe their need. Is it virtuous? Or is it manipulative and self-serving?
Do you feel a back and forth flow of energy when in the presence of this person?
If you remain alert to any feelings of drainings on you, you can retreat before it becomes too self-damaging to your spirit.
Also...the heart is a precious gift.
As such, it should be treated with reverence and doled protectively. YOUR heart. Their is nothing selfish in being selective in where you place it. In the larger picture, it is always benefitial in the end.
Inspiration fuels inspiration.
Love flows Love.
With a flowwwwwwwwing...a continuous movement, or dance. If or when you feel the flow break or hit dead ends, try to keep faith that such action of retreat is needed and timely...for a reason. (Most often the reason will be, that what the person needs most direly of all, is to face their woe alone...giving them the confidence in their own fortitude.)
For what is more truly worthy of your gifts may need you ever more. And would most willingly do the same for you. ![](http://www.linda-goodman.com/ubb/heart.gif)