There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither. (Alan Cohen)
Thinking about the musings from Day 27: Daoism…Or Is It Taoism?…
I would submit to you that it is important to take some rest.
Just like the fourth week winding down at school, week 4 is winding down here. I end with the quote: “I will give you Sunday’s off, it’s a God thing….”
The more I think about it, I don’t really know if it is really just a ‘God thing’. I mean, don’t animals, insects, birds, plants, the rest of Mother Nature and even Atheists, believe in the importance of rest? Whether they think it’s a ‘God thing’ or not, rest is necessary for all of us on this Earth, to restore, and to rejuvenate, our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. I think, most importantly, because Monday’s can be brutal, on a good Monday….
Bottom line no matter where you stand on the issue of God…get some rest.
Spend some time if you want to do some reviewing, reflecting, and/or meditating, on the week that has just ended. To be mindful perhaps of the following from last week:
Day 22: The Validity Of Hinduism. – At the end of the day, the fact remains that Hinduism is very similar in several ways as the polytheism/animism belief system. With that being said, it stands to reason then that these facts regarding Hinduism must also then be called into question, in much the same way as polytheism/animism must be.
Day 23: The Basics Of Buddhism. – The third major belief system covered, Buddhism’s origin is on the Nepal/India border beginning around the 6th century B.C. whose focus lies with the Four Noble Truths, the Eight-Fold Path and if done correctly, reaching Nirvana, or one with the universe;
Day 24: The Validity Of Buddhism. – The authenticity of the life of its founder Siddhartha Gautama is in question as evidenced by writings about him some 300 years after he lived. Combine this reliability issue with the fact that in theory, based on your past life, (lives), your actions in the present may be futile, leaving you ultimately with a sense of dread and despair and hopelessness;
Day 25: The Basics Of Confucianism. – Confucius created this philosophy to deal with the events surrounding him during his lifetime, the Warring States Period as the Chinese were dealing with the decline of the Zhou Dynasty as the Han Dynasty was taking over. The focus was restoring order through the Five Social Relationships;
Day 26: The Validity Of Confucianism. – The idea of restoring and earning respect, order and structure in your life and those around you sounds great on the surface. However, Confucianism was created as a philosophy and not a religion, and thus, the question of where your soul lands up for eternity is never really addressed;
Day 27: Daoism…Or Is It Taoism? – Created by Laozi during the Warring States Period, this philosophy addressed the issues that the Chinese were dealing with directly during that time period;
Are you ready to get some rest?
Do not feel discouraged if you don’t know how to rest. Do not feel discouraged if you power down your mind and body that wishes to forge ahead, so many things to do, so little time. Instead, embrace the idea that rest is rejuvenating. Embrace the idea that rest restores and recharges. 10-15 minutes. Do nothing regarding the upcoming workweek…for 10-15 minutes. Then, 7 days later, extend your rest time out 5 minutes. Deep breathing exercises. Simple yoga poses. Watching cute little puppies on your social media feed. All unrelated to work and your job(s). Something, some things, to clear your mind.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away and be at rest.” Psalm 55:6 KJV
Was today’s blog a little confusing at times? Was the content perhaps a little overwhelming? Did you feel lost not understanding some or most of the subject matter?
Those feelings are totally understandable and it is ok to have one or more of those feelings. Remember that you are reading Day 28: Rest…Relax…Reflect.
If you haven’t been in class since the first day of school…or when the project began…or when the contract was first signed, etc., these feelings make perfect and logistical sense.
Please feel free to go back to where all of this began: