YouTube Video TRANSCRIPT: Daily Daoist 57 #33a
Alright. This next one is something that obviously I have addressed in many other books and circumstances. I guess this is one of Lao Tzu’s pull-outs. One of his little quotes that gets out there alot. Or versions of this– excuse me.
The… Daily Taoist here. Buddha Zhen Shen-Lang reading from the Dao Te– Well, my book about the Tao of Taoism, based on the Dao Te Ching And kind of how I rewrote it so that you could improve your life. It’s got all these fill-in blanks there– See. So I’ve got questions to fill-in the blanks.
Alright. So let’s see. We’re on #33a. And this like I said is a very common thing you’ve heard. Probably, hopefully many times.
It requires more wisdom to understand one’s self,
than to learn about other people.
I’ll read it again.
It requires more wisdom to understand one’s self,
than to learn about other people.
And that’s– Even if that sounded reasonable, you’ve got to really buy into this because this is so important. Most people are only satisfied learning about other people. The movie star: “Oh, he does this… Oh, he’s got a mansion… He does this…” And then they think of him in that dreamy role that they imagine him. The fake role. And so, people are in these fake realities. I don’t want to use the word, “fake.” “False?” Umm, “Imaginary.” Fantasy realities.
And… we all are. We all imagine the world in our construct. We all… That’s what makes us human. And brings us up a little farther than the animals is our creativity. That’s why the actual creative spirit is a whole different thing in itself. That’s what has taken me 66 years to realize. Is that, gosh, i’ve got it. And most people don’t. I didn’t know that. I actually thought that everybody could do it.
But here we go. #33a.
It requires more wisdom to understand one’s self–
Now the word wisdom is different than knowledge. You see, to learn about other people is knowledge. When you watch a TV show or read a book, that’s knowledge. Knowledge is information. But wisdom is the ability to take some of that knowledge that maybe you learned about the other people and then use that to understand yourself. See yourself. To understand why you’re doing something. That maybe you wouldn’t have otherwise– you would have taken for granted, or not noticed, or been aware of.
So awareness can only result from wisdom, and evaluation, and you looking at yourself… But the one thing this doesn’t get — which is I think an important part of this whole paragraph here or concept is that you can never understand yourself UNTIL you start understanding other people. But you’re gonna be different. And I’ve always looked at it that way and as a result I kind of messed myself up. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a person who could see his reflection in other people. But most of the time, by studying other people you’ll start seeing reflections of yourself. As a result of that you can start to figure out who you are based on WHO you ARE NOT.
And so, that give and take… That Yin and Yang of information creates a knowledge of information.
Now the wisdom, as it says, is to UNDERSTAND one’s self. Not just even see it–but to understand to see. If you see that, “Oh. Well my parents made me think that, you know, if I do this I’ll go to Hell.” Then, that’s the knowledge. But what’s the WISDOM to understand yourself? The wisdom is to realize, “Okay. Well–” The wisdom is: Is, “My parents told me this, and I believed it– But do my parents really know it. Is it–?” You know, you start evaluating all the information until in the end you have a real wisdom. It is a knowledge that is more realistic and tested and is applicable and useful and integrated. Wisdom I think is something that is used–utilized to make you smarter.
Okay. Or you could just ignore it you see. And not have the wisdom. Not have the knowledge. And just do what you think. And believe what you think. And let it go. And that’s fine. And that’s the normal man. Remember that 40% of the people? Who Trump can get to believe anything? They’re ready to believe anything.
So you know, you’re so– You are very– You probably are not one of those people. Because they’re probably not attracted to this tape. “Be doing… TAOISM? AGGHH.” They run away from new information. So that 40% are people who DON’T WANT TO LEARN. They’re too busy. They’re too tired. “That’s not interesting… Arr-arr-arr-arr-arr…” So you know they stay…
That’s fine. I accept who they are. Like I accept my cat. He’s an idiot!. [LAUGHS] I try to teach him to talk sometimes and do stuff. Which is kind of fun. And then he surprises me. Like I brought him chicken. Now he’s started saying, “CHIIIII-KKKKKENNNN!!!” Oh man! Now he’s saying, “chicken,” and I don’t have any. [LAUGHS] So… the frustration of shedding a little too much wisdom on a dumb animal… I’m not sure. But anyway, my cat can say, “chicken,’ now. It’s driving me nuts because i don’t have any.
Okay. Where are we? Oh… this is a fun one. #32a.
So we’re learning that you have to understand other people to look at yourself. And this is what Zen Buddhism is. The whole thing about Zen Buddhism is to look at yourself from different angles. What do you look like from the side? What do you look like from behind? What do you look like FROM THE TOP? And underneath. If you can see yourself from more angles you have more Zen. Okay… How do people see me financially? Or romantically? Or age wise. Or health wise. Start looking at all these perspectives and you put them together and now you have more of a Zen awareness.
What are we for minutes? Okay. Five minutes. I’m gonna blast here.
#32a
How easily can you know other people?
Most people: “Oh. It’s none of my business.” If you say, “It’s none of my business.” Then you’re ignorant. Then you’re living in a world of ignorance. You’re purposely BLOCKING new information. So don’t say that anymore, “It’s none of my business.” Everything’s your business. Okay.
Explain your TECHNIQUES of how you get to know other people.
How well do you understand your opposite sex?
Okay? How well do you understand them? Understand them? Remember? That’s better– That’s different than just, “Oh I know they’re du-du-du-du-du…” clinical… and that’s information, knowledge… but understanding is wisdom. Remember.
What DON’T you understand about the opposite sex?
Summarize your family traits.
Family traits– Now you see– my family traits are– I would say, “They’re greedy. They’re Republicans who don’t believe in dreamers or artists and they would rather see me be homeless and prove they are right that I should have a job–
Rather than support me as an artist.” Those are my family traits. How about you? What do you have for family? What’s in your family tree? [laughs] That’s a question probably none of us want to answer.
Explain how much you know about your Shifu.
Hey! Remember? I told you I wrote this for my Kung Fu students. How much do they know about me? At this point, obviously you have– But who know? But anyway, I do want my students to know me as accurately or as much as they possibly can. I’ve come to realize that people will never understand me. When I was a kid they called me, “Brain.” So they were so mean to me. And now I–sympathize– I realize, gosh… I should have been separated from them. You know, I needed to be in a different program. My parents wouldn’t let me go to MENSA. They forbid it. My mom said, “They’re just gonna make… You’re just gonna make bombs!” Which I would’ve. [LAUGHS] I was really into making bombs when I was in elementary school. I’d make rockets and all kinds of stuff. I was researching how to burn different chemicals to get different colors when the explosions happen… and stuff. That’s where I was at the point where I burned a– I didn’t burn down our balcony, but I set off a rocket blast. The rocket blast blew a big hole on the big… straight… It was cool man! It was awesome. And anyway I created a rocket blast that burned a big hole in our aluminum patio. If it would’ve been a house, it might’ve burned the house down. [LAUGHS] That was the end of my chemistry. I Ahh man…” I was only like ten years old. Eight, nine years old. But that was the end of my chemistry at home. I went on to biology and started dissecting animals… But let’s not get into that.
Anyway. Where are we?
Explain how much you know about your Shifu.
See my students are going, “AHHHH???” I didn’t know that about you.
What are your Shifu’s goals?
Please. You should know my goals. I’m striving very hard to accomplish certain things. So you should try to know my goals. My goal right now is to be a successful YouTuber. So that’s good enough for you right now. HELP ME! If you like me. Help me. Support me. Um, I don’t know about donate… BUY MY STUFF! Buy some of my books. Buy THIS BOOK! [LAUGHS] Buy that book. That’s a great start.
Okay. Where are we?
How are you benefitting your Shifu?
“Oh. You bought my book!” Yeah.
How are you frustrating or not supporting your Shifu?
Wow. I’m really hammering them right here. This is… Okay.
And then it says, Shifu suggestions: “Buy my book.” [LAUGHS] I’m serious. That’s what I put on this page. I didn’t put the, “buy the book,” But these questions. I really did put these… I’m kind of like going, “Ohhh.” This is some pushy marketing.
Okay. How much do you know of your mate? Or best friend?
My last best friend was Oscar. Remember I told you. The last five years. We were… People would call him my, “Sidekick.” Yeah. He was my best friend. So I got to know him really well. Really well. Learned a lot. Disagreed with him incredibly. Learned a lot about the way he was raised. His parents were raised. About the way he raised his kid for awhile. It was very very interesting. That’s great information. But I wouldn’t have ever learned any of that if I wouldn’t have been his friend. And during the last five years if I would have done exactly the same things but not have him as my friend– I don’t think I would’ve had as in depth of experience or had anyone’s life experiences permeate my mind like that. Because I wouldn’t have had the inquiry or the reason to be as in depth conversation. So without him in my life the last five years I would not have had that interpersonal relationship. He was–
Like right now, I’m not going to replace him. I’ve got my cat so– I’m alone! for awhile. I’m not sure who my next best friend’s gonna be. I may not have a human friend for a year or two. We’ll see. I’m right now in a Section 8 complex. All the people around me are homeless who were able to get Section 8 funding. So these are the same people that were in the Shelter with me.
There was a couple people I tried to help. And there was a couple people I would be willing to help. There were a couple people who I thought had talent. They obviously had a certain value… But anyway.
Where were we. Ten minutes! Okay. Let’s finish this page.
Uh… How much do you know about your mate or best friend?
I’m serious. Get to know everything about them. Their parents… That’s why… If you are a REAL friend… You’re gonna know about their parent’s life. You’re gonna know their parents… Otherwise, you’re not really their friend. [LAUGHS] You’re an acquaintance.
How are you benefiting your mate?
How are you benefiting your mate?
If you’re not, your mate chose very unwisely.
How are you disappointing your mate?
Well that’s gonna happen. Expectations. Remember, that’s why people say, “Buddhists don’t have expectations.”
YES we have expectations. But whenever we have a disappointment it was based on an expectation.
So, how are you disappointing your mate?
Well that’s happening. What are the expectations that aren’t satisfied? That’s what you’ve gotta work out. Maybe they’re unreasonable. Or maybe you didn’t know what they were expecting. Or, you know, maybe you can negotiate.
Here we go. What does your mate think of you?
That’s without asking your mate. [LAUGHS]
Then the next line is your mate’s suggestions.
So you’re supposed to write what you think, then let them read it. You let them add something to it. That’s very very very important.
Okay. What are your subconscious goals?
Subconscious goals. Remember your conscious goals are the ones you talk about and everything. Your subconscious goals are the ones you might even be hiding from yourself. “What I really really want is to live in Hawaii…” But you just blow it off. We’re calling that the subconscious goal. The one you think is just too unrealistic. Or the one where you think you’re going to marry a rich woman. “That’s what I’d really like but…” That’s what I should’ve done. I should’ve set my sights on a rich woman. When I was working as a stagehand– Whenever I was working in like Beverly Hills and these different events and all these rich women were there… They’d look at me and “Ahhh” you know… We could have the electricity–but I was a stagehand. I’d have to meet them under a different context. I would have to meet them on their level and they could’ve considered me and I could’ve married a rich woman. But that would’ve worked out better. Um, at least in some ways. But then again…
We could talk a lot about marriage. Great topic.
Where are we? 12 minutes. I wanna finish this page.
What are your subconscious goals?
How are you benefiting your subconscious?
Now remember that subconscious goal that wants all those little things. It wants the ice cream you know. How are you actually being nice to it? Remember I told you awhile ago. I forget what it was, but i told you I had my subconscious one. I wanted to do this. I was relaxed at work or whatever. Find the balance. Don’t just totally frustrate it. “NAWW. I’m not gonna relax today.” No. Find a little time to relax. Satisfy your subconscious. Unless it’s unhealthy: but if you’ve got, “I want some heroin.” [laughs] your subconscious goal. That’s why you want a healthy balance. Our Tao is to form this balance. You’ve got to be healthy. If you– You’ve got to want your subconscious to want healthy things. That’s why if you do my Kung Fu you’ll want healthy things. Because you’re not gonna want something that makes your Kung Fu harder. So your subconscious is gonna, “I don’t want that. That’s gonna make it harder to do my Kung Fu.” So you’re not gonna want to drink. You’re not gonna want to do booze. You’re not gonna want to smoke. That’s how I’ve cured every drug addiction that I’ve cured in the last thirty years. “Cured?” I can’t say that legally. I’ve helped people overcome their drug addictions permanently I think in most cases by just merely giving them a healthy lifestyle that their drug addiction won’t fit into. That’s all I do. All I do. I won’t even tell them their drug is bad. I won’t even say, “heroin is bad.” But I’ll say, “let’s not do it.”[laughs] “Let me help you get through this.”You know.
Where are we? Thirteen, fourteen minutes.
So how are you benefiting your subconscious and how are you disappointing your subconscious? Are there certain things it wants that you’re just really not being fair and reasonable– Some people are very mean to themselves. Very very mean to themselves. Seriously. That’s probably because their parents were mean to them. Sometimes we imprint that and we take over: then we’re mean to ourselves. When I was in the Shelter I’d hear these people — whipping — mentally you know saying, “Oh You… You’re a scum.. You’re a..” talking to themselves. Repeating what their parents were saying. Horrible. Horrible. I don’t even want to try and remember. But they would say these things their parents would say to them.
Oh, you poor thing… that anyone said those things… I’m not sure they were their parents…
How can all differences between subconscious and your conscious mind be resolved?
First of all, figure out what they are. Deal with them. Recognize them. Get them out. And then throw them away. Don’t say them anymore.
Getting now to Daoist [#32a]:
It requires more wisdom to understand one’s self,
than to learn about other people.
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