Tao Quotes

on the Art of Effortless Effort

What do you know about Taoism ?

It's not a religion or science but an ancient philosophy.

How can it help you?

It's closely linked to Buddhism and Confucianism. Particularly Zen Buddhism .

Meditation developed from these traditions. So Zen and Tao quotes can really help your practice improve....

Here's a very famous Tao Story that explains the secret to life success..... Don't try too hard!

The Tao Art of Effortless Effort.

The Story The Prince's Cook

Ever felt like everything is too difficult. Too much effort? Then read this famous Tao story - its one of my favourites....

The author is Chuang Tzu. A Chinese Tao philosopher from the 4th Century....

Prince Hui's cook was cutting up a bullock. Every blow of his knife, every heave of his shoulders, every tread of his foot, every whshh of rent flesh, every chhk of the chopper was in perfect harmony - rhythmical like the Dance of the Mulberry Grove, simultaneous like the chords of the Ching Shou.

"Well Done" cried the prince. "Yours is a skill indeed."

"Sire" replied the cook. "I have always devoted myself to Tao. It is better than skill. When I first began to cut up bullocks, I saw before me simply whole bullocks. After three years practice I saw no more whole animals. And now I work with my mind and not with my eye. When my senses bid me to stop, but my mind urges me to go on, I fall back upon eternal principles.

I follow such openings and cavities as there may according to the natural constitution of the animal. I do not attempt to cut through joints, still less through large bones.

A good cook changes his chopper, once a month- because he hacks. But I have had this chopper nineteen years, and though I have cut up many thousands of bullocks, its edge is fresh.

For at the joints there are always interstices, and the edge of the chopper being without thickness, it remains only to insert that which is without thickness into such an interstice. By these means the interstice will be enlarged, and the blade will find plenty of room. It is thus that I have kept my chopper for nineteen years, as though fresh from whetstone.

Nevertheless, when I come upon a hard part, where the blade meets with a difficulty, I am all cautious. I fix my eyes on it. I stay my hand, and gently apply the blade, until with a hwah the part yields like earth crumbling to the ground. Then I with draw my blade and stand up and look around; and at last I wipe my chopper and put it carefully away."

"Bravo" cried the Price. "From the words of this cook I have learnt how to take care of my life."

Chuang Tzu

Here's another Chuan Tzu Tao quote I just came across - which made me chuckle...

A dog is not considered to be a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered to be a gfood man because he is a good talker.

Chuang Tzu

Enjoyed these Tao Quotes?

Then read

• Meditation Quotes: Stories and Parables for Meditators.
• Meditation Quotes 12 of The Best
• Best Life Quotes
• Tao Quotes Inspiration for Life
• Zen Sayings: To help you Meditate
• Zen Quotes: Why Don't They Make Sense?
• Buddhism Quotes.: For a Modern World
• Healing Quotes.

Or why not share YOUR Favourite Meditation Quote or story.

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