Sometimes I think I might be a secret Daoist Sage. Secret, even to me. The Daoist writings that I’ve encountered have often been expressed with a profound simplicity. Don’t get me wrong, by ‘simple’ I do not mean lacking in depth, more… layered complexity perhaps. A simple, pure thought or idea that has profound & far reaching meaning.
This method enabled the legendary Daoist sages to wear a cloak of false idiocy with which they could shield themselves from the enquiries of the common folk only casually determined to pursue an answer. For me I wonder if it’s just that I’m simply an idiot or if I experience moments of profound wisdom in simple form.
Throughout my training I have had numerous moments of enlightenment (specifically regarding my martial arts training - Nirvana will have to wait!) that with hindsight seem profoundly obvious, simple perhaps. On occasion I’ll return from a session with my coach where I broke new ground and relay my thinking to the wife who will look at me with a ‘Really? How did you not see that before?’ kind of look (and sometimes phrase). It’s became such a reoccurring theme that I can now often recognize it before I speak to her and spare myself a scoffing glance with some restraint in sharing.
So should we share our breakthroughs or await enquiries? The latter might give us a profound illusion of sage-like wisdom (should the question relate to something we have already been enlightened on) whereas sharing upon realisation may reduce the quality of our company to others. Personally I feel this would prohibit my fleshing out the eureka moments as I find vocalizing thoughts helps me work through them but I must say that knowing that my long-suffering wife and friends are not into my passion for martial arts but are still able to give a sympathetic ear to my wandering ponderings makes me appreciate them all the more.
