Tree

Recently I read a book on Taoism.It is an ancient Chinese philosophy on life.Tao means the way or the principle.Lao Tzu who lived around 600 BC is known to be the founder of Taoism.Taoism teaches us to lead life in a more harmonious way by being insync with nature.

Many a times when we try to do something good in life or at work place,we face opposition from others and get discouraged.Albert Einstein once said "Brilliant minds have always faced voilent opposition from medicore minds".In this world there is always conflict between the good and bad, useful and useless.As per Taosim we have to go beyond good and bad, useful and uselessness.Be so mindful in your uselessness that others are not able to use you.I will explain this with a story.

Once Lao Tzu was wondering with his disciples in forest.They came across a place where all the trees were cut down except one.Those trees were being cut down to make a grand palace at that site.Lao Tzu asked his disciples to enquire with the carpenters,why only one tree was left standing?

On enquiry the carpenters told the disciples that the tree was not chopped as it had many knots.Quality of wood was bad.It was not  possible to make any furniture out of it.Trunk of the tree was not straight ,so it could not be used for making pillars.Burning its wood would generate poisinous gas which damaged eyes.So it could not be used for cooking.

On hearing this Lao Tzu started laughing.He told his disciples,in life  be like this tree.It is so useless that nobody wants to cut it.In its uselessness it could grow.By growing it could provide shelter to birds, animals and shade for human beings.Sometime in life we have to be useless like this tree.Then only we can grow and be useful to others.I will finish with a quote of Chanakya "Dont be too honest in life, the straight trees are first cut in the forest".