Thursday 22 October 2009

All Things Pass


Lao-Tzu


A stone sculpture of Lao-Tzu, located
North of Quanzhou, at the foot of
Mount Quingyuan


All Things Pass

All things pass
A sunrise does not last all morning
All things pass
A cloudburst does not last all day
All things pass
Nor a sunset all night
All things pass
What always changes?

Earth. . . Sky. . .Thunder. . .
Mountain. . .Water. . .
Wind. . .Fire. . .Lake

These change
And if these do not last

Do man's visions last?
Do man's illusions?

Take things as they come

All things pass


Lao-Tzu (6th century BC)

from translations adapted by Timothy Leary
(born October 22nd 1920 - died May 31st 1996)

This version appears in Leary's Psychedelic Prayers (Academy Editions, London 1972).

In the foreword he writes that "these translations from English to psychedelese were made while sitting under a bamboo tree on a grassy slope of the Kumaon Hills overlooking the snow peaks of the Himalayas....

image Wikimedia





16 comments:

  1. "Take things as they come" . . . and not before. Advice to myself via toi - merci Friko.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a huge sculpture. It is really awesome.

    Wise words from an ancient; keeping them in mind helps us survive the bad things. My aunt always said (as I do now), "This, too, shall pass."

    ReplyDelete
  3. To paraphrase Lao-Tzu "lief happens so get on with it and stop worrying" wise words rom teh ancients indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That passed, so will this is to be remembered in both good and bad times, cherish the good, take the bad with as much stoicism and good cheer as you can muster. So easy to say, so very hard to execute!

    ReplyDelete
  5. friko - "take things as they come" has been a long work in progress for me as i worry about hat is coming all too often. i love this piece of writing and the photograph. what a cool text!!!! have a lovely evening. steven

    ReplyDelete
  6. they may pass - but will never be over.

    A wonderful Friday for you !

    ReplyDelete
  7. Those words have gotten me through many a rough time especially with a seriously ill child.
    QMM

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah my old friend, the old kid looking good in granite...always a worthwhile visit here!

    Aloha, my friend Friko

    Comfort Spiral

    ReplyDelete
  9. My mum's refrain, in hard times, was 'this too shall pass'. While it has come to me during periods of diffulty, I'd say that the immediate pain, sorrow, joy etc may pass, but somethings mark the heart, for good or bad, but forever.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I like this sensible line of thinking Friko. Life happens, it's how you deal with it that counts.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bonnie - and mine to me- not always easily followed.

    Darlene - wise words indeed

    her at home - some of us hear them and follow them

    elizabethm - so do you?

    jinksy - yes, indeed

    Sagittarian - yes indeed

    steven - thank you steven

    robert - never be forgotten?

    QMM - sensible you

    Cloudia - thank you for that, friend

    Pondside - let's call that experience and learn from it

    Fran - ain't he just

    Patsy - sensible may be boring but it is eminently useful

    ReplyDelete
  12. Excuse me for this rather 'humbling' translation of 'alles geht vorbei, aber nie vorüber' - guess autumn is the best season to get reminded of many things, finding as well hope in things never be forgotten, such as love.
    A wonderful weekend for you !

    ReplyDelete
  13. robert - as always, thank you for your very kind words. Kennst du den alten Schlager "Es geht alles vorueber, es geht alles vorbei, auf jeden Dezember folgt wieder ein Mai....? maybe a bit too corny for today, but.....

    ReplyDelete

Comments are good, I like to know what you think of my posts. I know you'll keep it civil.