THE DRAGON

Due to the influence of Asian culture in the West, when we hear the term “dragon” in the an Eastern context, we think of martial arts and kung fu movies. The original meaning of the term goes far deeper than that.

The dragon can be a force of nature or a human being. As a natural force, the dragon manifests as dark clouds soaring over the land. When farmers looked up to the sky and saw this manifestation, they knew that a storm was gathering strength as it approached, so they would tell one another that the dragon was coming.

As a human being, the dragon is described by the I Ching as a person of tremendous potential. This potential is hidden at first, but one day it emerges and becomes visible, like clouds beginning to form. Then, this dragon takes flight over the landscape to benefit the people, just like the clouds sending rain down to the farmlands, ensuring a bountiful harvest.

The Tao Today

What does the dragon mean to you? When you become the dragon, you manifest great power in the service of a cause greater than yourself. The higher you fly, the more lives you impact. It is not about you; it is all about the people. It is not about fighting or physical feats; it is all about looking beyond your own needs for the greater good.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin