THE THORNS

According to the Tao Te Ching, thorns grow where the army camps. As with most other elements from ancient teachings, this is a poetic image that goes beyond the surface meaning. The army, in this case, represents the force of malevolence and the potential for violence in everyday life. Whenever anger takes hold, whenever argument erupts, this army strikes camp in your heart.

The thorns represents the harmful effect of harboring the army. The landscapes of bitterness and resentment allows the thorns to grow, and in time your heart becomes filled with this self-damaging growth that you have allowed to flourish. Even before you unleash your rage to hurt others, you have already hurt yourself. This is why holding a grudge against others is like poisoning yourself.

Sometimes people excuse their own outbursts of anger by saying that they are acting in a natural way. The army and the thorns tell us they are wrong. The part of us that is naturally contentious is bad for everyone, including ourselves. That is why we need to maximize the other part - the part of us that is naturally peaceful and kind.

The Tao Today

To minimize contention is to reduce the size of the army. To let go of contention is to dismiss the soldiers. Some of us may think that there is nothing we can do about feeling angry, not realizing that the army within must obey our orders.

Next time you sense yourself becoming angry, visualize the army gathering in strength and setting up camp. Issue the command to disband, and watch the soldiers as they disperse. You will feel the anger dissipating naturally.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin