Frank4zen Newslog: 365 Tao: Daily Meditations    
 365 Tao: Daily Meditationsfrank4zen
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18 Apr 2010 @ 15:19

NUMBERS

One gives birth to two, two gives birth to three,
Three gives birth to the ten thousand.
One hundred and eight counts make one cycle,
Constant turning creates all things.


Today is the one hundred and eighth day. Why are numbers so
important to those who follow Tao? Even today, when numbers are more
commonly yoked to the service of finance and engineering, there are
those who revere numbers with the cheap version of mysticism --
superstition. Numbers form a closed world with mysteries to explore and
exploit if our understanding is deep enough.

Followers of Tao emphasize certain numbers : One is the unity of
Tao. Two is duality. Three is the unevenness that will generate
movement. Four is the seasons. Five elements generate the world. Six
parts of the body are the arms, legs, head, and trunk. Seven is the day
of the waxing moon by the lunar calendar. Eight is the number of
divination. Nine is the number of life. Ten is heaven's cycles.

There are twenty-four periods in a year, each with its own
characteristics. Thirty-six is six squared. One hundred and eight is
three cycles of thirty-six and represents a greater cycle, although
there are even more esoteric connotations attached to it.

Numbers are only symbols, a way for human beings to project order
upon the universe. They are a language more precise than words. But does
Tao talk? Numbers are important to master, but take care to look beyond
language and numbers to the true reality that they foreshadow.




365 Tao: Daily Meditations
Deng Ming-Dao


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1 comment

18 Apr 2010 @ 16:41 by susannahbe : Numbers
loved this. :-)

Thanks Frank, I read and enjoy your posts every day.

Hope all is well with you. x  

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