People have a tendency to become attached and almost dependent to various things within life. We become attached to family, friends, and material possessions. What if we were to lose some of these things? Perhaps we would feel that we have lost a great deal. Perhaps we would feel that the worst thing in our lives has occurred if we were to ever lose any of our family members, friends, or material possessions; yet, many of those who have often risen to power of some sort have in fact described having lost or been without these very things at earlier stages in their lives. According to the 42nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, when one feels that he/she has lost, he/she has actually gained. The individual gains in the sense that his/her once-thought feeling of dependency is ameliorated and the person, subsequently, finds him/herself having to cope with the loss. It is during this process of coping in which the individual comes to realize the inner-strength and infinite self is not dependent on anything. It is only the mortal aspect of the individual that feels dependent on such worldly things.
The mortal aspect of ourselves is what unfortunately rules most of our existence. Because we become so fixated on the needs and desires of the mortal self, we are often unable to cultivate and come to know the infinite self. Just as the Tao advises that one gains when losing, it is also perceived that one loses by gaining.
For whom much is given, much is expected. The question becomes, then, how are we utilizing that which has been granted?
As humans, no matter what we possess, the mission appears to be very clear. We should not become attached to worldly things, as each of these things are temporal. Our mission, as humans, is to connect to the things which are eternal, so that we come to be in harmony with our infinite selves. To achieve harmony with our infinite selves, we must be willing to transcend the needs of our mortal selves.
Peace and blessings!
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