The Way of the Water
El camino del aguapor Ursula LeGuin
Hemos glorificado el camino del guerrero durante milenios. Lo hemos identificado como la prueba suprema y como ejemplo de valor, fuerza, deber, generosidad y hombría. Si decido no tomar el camino del guerrero, ¿dónde puedo buscar esas cualidades? ¿Qué camino tengo que escoger?
Lao Tse nos dice: sigue el camino del agua.
La cosa más débil y más rica en el mundo, como él lo llama, es el agua que elige el camino más bajo, no el sendero alto. Da paso a cualquier cosa que sea más dura que ella misma, no ofrece resistencia, fluye alrededor de obstáculos, acepta todo lo que le llega a ella, se deja usar y dividir y contaminar, pero sigue siendo ella misma y siempre va en la dirección que debe seguir yendo. Las mareas de los océanos obedecen a la Luna mientras que las grandes corrientes del mar abierto siguen sus caminos por debajo. El agua profundamente en reposo está siempre en movimiento; el lago más quieto es constantemente, invisiblemente siendo transformado en vapor, levantándose en el aire. Un río puede ser represado y encausado, pero su agua es incompresible: no irá a donde no haya espacio para ella. Un río puede ser drenado para usos humanos tanto que nunca llega al mar, pero en todos esos caminos y usos su agua sigue siendo la misma y sigue su curso, fluyendo hacia abajo y encima, sobre la tierra o de manera subterránea, respirándose así misma hacia fuera en el aire como evaporación, levantándose como neblina, niebla, nube, volviendo a la tierra como lluvia, rellenando el mar.
El agua no tiene un sólo camino. Tiene un número de caminos infinito, toma el camino que puede, es totalmente oportunista y toda la vida en la Tierra depende de este elemento pasivo, flexible, incierto, adaptable y cambiante. [...]
El flujo de un río es un modelo para mí de valor que puede mantenerme en marcha, que puede llevarme a través de los malos lugares y malos ratos. Un valor que es obediente por elección y que utiliza la fuerza sólo cuando está obligado, siempre buscando la mejor manera, la manera más fácil, y aunque no encuentre un camino fácil, aun así, siempre sigue.
Preguntas semilla: ​¿Qué significa el camino del agua para tí? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal en la que te hayas sentido como agua en todos sus diferentes modos? ¿Qué te ayuda a fluir como un río?
excerpted from the post The Election Lao Tzu and A Cup of Water. [Illustration offered as an anonymous gift :-)]
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: What does the way of the water mean to you? Can you share a personal story of a time you felt like water in all its different hues? What helps you flow like a river?
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19 Past Reflections
On Dec 12, 2022 alejandra wrote :
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On Apr 10, 2017 A.M.V. Alagappan wrote :
Water is perhaps only thing in nature that takes three states. It is in solid state as ice and snow. In liquid state as water. In gaseous state as steam.
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On Apr 6, 2017 LM wrote :
1 reply: Namaste | Post Your Reply
On Apr 6, 2017 Michael wrote :
"a peaceful warrior must wait for the mud to settle and the waters to clear so the right action arises by itself" from an adapted poem by Lao Tzu. So clarity comes from waiting for me. Ah the need for patience. An old Vermonter I once met said, "Patience is a virtue and the only way to obtain it is by waitin' ".
1 reply: Amen | Post Your Reply
On Apr 5, 2017 Craig Coss wrote :
Even in some warrior mythologies, the powers of water are exalted. King Arthur, the model knight in England and France, was given his peerless sword, Excalibur, by Vivian, the Lady of the Lake. And after receiving his sword, the wizard Merlin asked Arthur, “Which is greater—the sword or the scabbard?” Arthur replied, “The sword, of course.” But Merlin revealed that the scabbard was the greater, for it while wearing it, Arthur could never be wounded by a blade—as water cannot be cut, but rejoins and mends itself as though nothing ever severed it.
1 reply: T | Post Your Reply
On Apr 4, 2017 me wrote :
Changing and embracing everything (one) you come in contact with. Having quality personal time ... Helps me to "flow like a river". Reading "The Way of Water " helped me to be still and know today! VERY THANKFUL for it ... And for many of the reflections offered above! I crave the path of water!
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On Apr 4, 2017 Nicole wrote :
What I admire about water is its ability to always choose the path of least resistance and flow with it.
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On Apr 3, 2017 Suchitra wrote :
A wonderful dimension regarding the qualities of water. Nature is always speaking to us in volumes which can be heard in the gentle gurgling of river water, the roaring water falls, splashing sea waves, gentle breeze, thundering lightning, cool breeze to scorching heat. We have to acknowledge that all are essential components of nature destined to do their duties according to the laws of nature and seasons. We should learn to visualize the ever changing nature in all its "finery and fiery", because "IT IS SO". Similarly we humans must learn to adapt to the situations because life is meant to be lived and to be appreciated and not to be analyzed, because "IT IS SO".
1 reply: Again, | Post Your Reply
On Apr 3, 2017 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
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On Apr 2, 2017 david doane wrote :
The way of water means being present, spontaneous, responsive to circumstances, adjusting in every moment, taking the path of least resistance, staying within one's own abilities, doing one's own thing, being nongoal-directed, and being persistent. This way can wear down obstacles, just as water does, but that's not water's intent or purpose. I've at times lived some qualities of the way of water, but have never fully lived that way, which is very difficult to accomplish. What helps me flow like a river is being in the present, focusing on process and not on outcome. It would be wonderful for us to stop glamorizing the way of the warrior and begin to value the way of water.