Sow seeds of beauty

Renee Lehman

(12/2019) In many previous articles it has been discussed how Natural Laws are followed in Traditional Chinese Medicine. These Natural Laws, or the Way of Nature, originates from Taoism (pronounced Dowism). Taoism does not refer to a formalized religious practice but rather to a deep spiritual practice of understanding and following the way of Tao, the way of Nature, sometimes simply called, "the Way."

Taoism descends directly from the ancient Masters Zhuang Tze and Lao Tzu. Zhuang Tze, lived during the 4th century B.C., and wrote the influential Taoist text that bears his name, Zhuang Tze. Lao Tzu authored the classic text, Tao Te Ching around 500 B.C.

The following Taoist Parable about three different individuals interacting with nature seems appropriate as a metaphor for awareness of how take the beauty of nature with you throughout your life.

How to Take Beauty Along With Me

One person had seen the beautiful flowers that blossomed in the valley. He was filled with enthusiasm! He wanted to take and carry away at least a piece of this beauty, to possess it!

He tore off the flowers as much as he could carry. He brought them home and placed them in vases… But very soon, deprived of their roots, they died…

"What a pity that the beauty is not eternal…" — grieved that person.

An artist had found himself to be in the same valley with beautiful flowers. He was admiring the marvelous beauty that had appeared before him. And he had remembered the delightful view!

He had imprinted in his soul both the beautiful play of colors in corollas of bloomed flowers, and the whole valley, and the bluish pierced by morning sunlight haze of light mist in the distant mountains…

He took away with him this beauty — as a great treasure! He hurried home, trying to remember everything and sketch what he saw!

And really — he was able to convey in his painting that beauty!

Subsequently, many people came to enjoy the picture. They were happy, admired!

--- Flowers faded, times a year replaced not once, but the memory of the beauty was living in the picture and pleased, ennobled people — even centuries later!

A traveler passed through the same valley. He was also fascinated by the amazing beauty created by God! He had gathered the ripened seeds of the flowers and took them with him.

And everywhere in suitable places, where ran his way, he sowed the seeds.

And the beauty of the Earth was multiplying. Every year ascended sown seeds were waking up, and wonderful flowers blossomed.

A traveler was walking on the land, driven by God, and sowed the seeds of Beauty, Wisdom and Goodness in the hearts of people.

And it was not only the beauty of flowers that he had known on his way!

He walked on the land and sowed the seeds of ever reviving and developing the great Beauty of the spiritual life that he had known and therefore had a right to multiply wisely!

During this holiday season, sow seeds of beauty! Possessions are not forever. The seeds that you sow in your life will have a lasting impact.

Plant seeds of Beauty and Love!

With every deed you are sowing a seed,
though the harvest you may not see. - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Keep on sowing your seed,
for you never know which will grow - perhaps it all will. - Albert Einstein

Plant seeds of happiness, hope, success, and love;
it will all come back to you in abundance.
This is the law of nature. - Steve Maraboli

The natural laws of the universe are inviolable...
what you say and do determines what happens in your life...
You are the master of your life and death.
What you do is what you are. - Lao Tzu.

Renee Lehman is a licensed acupuncturist, physical therapist, with over 30 years of health care experience. Her office is located at 249B York Street in Gettysburg. She can be reached at 717-752-5728.