American Tao

Of Religion

Shame not another’s religion, for each takes that religion as likes him best.

Do not preach religion, for that must, by nature, turn another away from desire of such knowledge: seek rather, to inspire by word and deed, answer questions without superiority, shame or fabrication.

Take not the teachings of a single religion to heart with blind belief, but question always why.

Learn of any and all religions you can, and then take that part of each which feels right deep within you… This, then, is your True Faith, not just a religion, which is sterile and institutionalized.

Of Learning

Observation is the best way to learn; asking questions the second.

Learn, then, how to be completely still before you try to master movement.

Stillness of mind creates stillness of body; stillness of body creates stillness of mind.

Knowledge of one’s ignorance is the beginning of learning; learning the extent of one’s ignorance is the beginning of knowledge.

Learn at all times, from all people, in all places, from all sources, for even from the most ignorant of infants can we learn.

Know ye this: there will always be someone with greater knowledge than you, and every person has some knowledge that you do not yet posses.

Take all learning as with a grain of salt, for all things are temporary. What is of great concern today tomorrow is useless; what is a solid idea now, may later be a sour tale; what is fact at this moment, the next may be fiction.

Wisdom is common sense put into words; good wisdom is using that common sense: great wisdom knows what wisdom to apply when.

Of Humanity

Man’s biggest challenge is Man.
A person’s biggest challenge is himself.

All people have their given station in life. Do not reproach one whom you may consider less than you for their choice of vocation for without them our life would be that much more complicated.

Even the greatest of leaders is but human, with faults and virtues alike.

If you put someone else on a pedestal, they are likely to kick you in the head…repeatedly! Leave pedestals to the statues.

Do not pity yourself or seek pity from others, for around the corner is another whose plight is worse than yours, just as yours may be more so than another’s.

All people wear a mask before others; seek to see behind that mask before you judge someone a clown.

Being polite is not limited to those outside the home, but rather begins and ends with those closest to you.

All people are our responsibility; therefore help when it is truly needed, even if that means to turn aside an unworthy or detrimental request.

We are here for a short time and are allowed to borrow this earth, therefore have a care and abuse it not, even more then you would your own home.