Daily Tao / 55 – Division

gordian_knot

Problems cannot be
Resolved at once.
Slowly untie knots
Divide to conquer.

In order to solve problems, it is helpful to first understand whether they are puzzle, obstacle, or entanglement. A puzzle need only be analyzed carefully : It is like unraveling a ball of yarn and requires patience more than anything else. An obstacle must be overcome : We must use force and perseverance to either destroy or move away from what is blocking us. An entanglement mires us in a maze of limitations : This most dangerous of situations requires that we use all our resources to extricate ourselves as quickly as possible.

No matter what the problem, however, it is important not to take the thing on whole. Break it down into smaller, more easily handled components. Most problematic situations are combinations of puzzles, obstacles, and entanglements. By fracturing them into these more basic elements, they can be managed easily. Even the greatest of difficulties can be resolved when they are slowly reduced. Then the knots of life are untied as easily as if we had a magic charm.

One thought on “Daily Tao / 55 – Division

  1. In the Stillness of Willow Hill

    So many of us do have tangled lives. As you point out, being mindful that the journey has no snappy timetable keeps us from becoming discouraged. It is encouraging, however, to look back at how large the knot used to be, and discover that we have already become more mindful, which facilitates the remainder of our journey.

    Like

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