Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Sense of Shame

Conscientious – Cognizant of shameful action and avoiding it

 

Practicing the Taoist Tai Chi® arts diligently nourishes the harmony of my body-heart-mind. When I am less diligent in my practice my overall state of wellbeing is affected and the quality of my personal relationships deteriorates. My inner world affects the world around me. By being aware of my impact on my environment, I can cultivate sibling harmony and thus develop my sense of shame. The eighth of the eight virtues is nurtured by the other seven.

The idea of treating others as you wish to be treated captures my understanding of the virtue of the sense of shame. For me, this is acting according to my conscience. 

Like a finely tuned barometer, the sense of shame is a signal that can lead to transformation. When I become aware of shame I know one of my behaviors must change. For example, on a few occasions, I went to apologize or to clarify certain situations that weighed heavily on my conscience. I found it better to go and talk about it rather than keep the discomfort inside me. 

When I feel present and am genuinely aware of, and connected with what is going on around me, I think I have got the sense of shame; being able to act and react with dignity and respect for myself and others. Recognizing the impact of my actions and having the humility to rectify them helps me to reconnect to my core values and become a better person. 

-E.R.

Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Honour

Integrity – Incorruptible – Taking only what you deserve, having earned it

 

As a child I often got into trouble. I was a turbulent boy, disruptive, easily distracted, and very impressionable. Looking back, I understand I probably had ADHD. My parents were often exasperated by my behaviours and attitudes. My father in particular was not shy about sharing his irritation. I became a very unstable teenager and young adult, both physically and mentally. I used a lot of drugs and at times abused alcohol. I am also aware that I was abused at different levels. Despite all that, I was and remain a “bon vivant” although I lacked self-confidence, and was delinquent at times. Desiring acceptance I grew to be selfish, greedy and arrogant. 

When I joined the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, I had no idea that I would be taught The Eight Virtues and it took me a few years to begin to absorb these teachings. Now, all the reflections that we regularly hear nourish me, touch me deeply and give rise to a precious and soothing sensitivity.

The virtue of Honour in particular, outlined in the booklet, the Eight Confucian Virtues, is helping me to develop into a better person. Generosity, humility, frugality and compassion are the qualities that I now aim for and I find myself supported in this journey by the great family of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism and by people dear to me in my personal life.

~Frederic

Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Sacrifice

Courage to do what is right – Purity of heart and purpose – Selflessness

 

Offering a cup of tea awakens in me the spontaneous impulse to give. With the simple intention of taking care of the other, the movement of the arm connects the heart to the hand. I have to stay focused so I don’t spill anything. A smile appears on each side of the cup.

Tea offered with the heart connects me to others. It transforms an everyday gesture into a sacred moment. In the old times, the word sacrifice (« to make sacred ») meant an offering. If my every action was sustained by the clarity and precision of a tea offering, would every moment become sacred ?

Sincerity, spontaneity, rightness and altruism, if I could let these sentiments guide me in all circumstances, will I have more courage to do what seems right to me?

~Laure

Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Propriety

Courtesy – Politeness – Decorum – Manners

 

The Confucian virtue, propriety, “encompasses good conduct, good manners, and courtesy.”

I am a polite person who likes to get along with everyone and is always willing to help.

However, sometimes I feel like I’m being too nice, always trying to please, bending over backwards to blend in, and perhaps as a result, I have become frustrated and developed low self-esteem.

Practicing Fung Loy Kok Taoist Tai Chi® arts helps me to be more balanced. I have never worked with so many people who are passionate and care deeply about what they do. There is a real sense of mutual support.

I’m learning to care for others in a way that also leaves room for me to care for myself. This helps me build more meaningful relationships in my professional and personal life. 

I am also learning how to be stronger and to contribute to balanced relationships.  Recently, by expressing my opinion in an honest and respectful manner about something that made me uncomfortable at work, I was able to restore some harmony among my colleagues and ultimately contribute to a more healthy work environment. In the past, I would have kept quiet in order to fit in.

The virtue of Propriety helps me to bring harmony to my relationships with others, and also within myself. 

~Anthony

Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Dedication

Loyalty – Faithfulness – Commitment

Every day I get up early in the morning to practice Taoist Tai Chi® arts in the alleyway, behind my home. During these early hours, I rarely see anyone. One person that I do occasionally see, is a practitioner of Orthodox Judaism. Dressed in a long black coat, he walks to synagogue for morning prayers. As our paths cross, we greet one another and sometimes chat.

One morning as I was practicing, he came up to me and said, “You have a good practice, getting stronger every day!“. I replied, “By going to synagogue every morning, you too have a good practice.” He nodded and, as he walked away he turned to me and replied, “I have no choice!”

“I have no choice!“ This response struck me. I thought about my practice, the teachings of the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism and whether I have a choice. Initially, it seemed to me that each of us has the choice to engage in any activity or practice. However, I thought a little more about my responsibility towards Master Moy and what he taught us. I thought about my responsibility towards my family and community , a responsibility to maintain my good health. Is the choice to practice a question of responsibility or can it have a deeper meaning, a deeper feeling?

More recently I have been paying closer attention to the question of feeling, not only during practice but by checking in often in my day-to-day activities. How do I feel, what do I feel, what am I connected to?

What I understand today is that when the feeling is authentic, not judgmental, without too much thought and not anchored in some kind of desire or fear, it is more – I’m not sure how to put it – light, free flowing, present. I sensed that going against that feeling would be self destructive, almost a kind of violence against myself. In that sense, I feel I have no choice but to dedicate myself to my practice. My practice allows me to maintain a connection with myself both physically and emotionally, and to be better connected with my family and community.

It is hard for me to maintain sensitivity on a regular basis. Through our teachings, I do have a feeling of what to look for. It requires a sense of presence while letting go. It is challenging but I get a bit better at it every day. I see it as the “eyes see, hands do” of the spirit!

~Stefan

Reflections on the 8 Virtues

Sibling Harmony

To live at peace as brothers and sisters – Respectful of others

The Confucian virtue of Sibling Harmony counsels us to live in peace with our brothers and sisters and to be respectful.

Following the death of my older brother, this virtue was of key importance for me.  Despite my grief at losing my older brother too quickly, as his executor, I had to settle his affairs.

I had to put into practice what I heard in our teachings at the Fung Loy Kok Institute of Taoism, not to worry and not to get lost in turmoil.

Taking care of our loved ones after their death makes sense.

My understanding of the virtue of sibling harmony helped me to do the task well.  Without arrogance and with the intention of acting from the heart, I had to make decisions for my brother who had left some grey areas in his will. I was able to distribute and liquidate his assets without getting derailed by the gossip swirling around me.

I think I acted with respect and a good sense of fairness to maintain harmony with the members of my family.

I was able to do this because of the teachings encouraging us to let go, not to worry and to trust

~Louise-Anne

 

Reflections on the 8 Virtues 

Filial Piety    

Reverence and loving care of our parents – teachers – elders

The practice of working together and taking care of others, a core element of our  training, has helped me enormously.  

I came from a dysfunctional background and for as long as I can remember, I couldn’t wait to leave home. I spent my life arguing with my mother. I did not have any time for her, and was as unhelpful towards her as I could be.

As part of my Taoist Tai Chi® path I attended a Fung Loy Kok week at the International Centre near Orangeville, Ontario.  During this retreat I discovered the virtue of Filial Piety.  Initially as I read about this virtue, I felt great pain and sadness.  I experienced enormous guilt and wanted someone to tell me what to do.  Over time, reflecting on the description of this virtue has helped me to become aware of the bitterness that was eating away at my insides.  I began to understand I had to find the answers within myself.  And I did. One day I realized I was acquiring a deeper sense of filial piety.  I was calming down. I felt I wanted to get closer to my mother.  The end result is I am now able to take care of my mother, to love her sincerely and freely.

Reading the virtue of filial piety now does me a lot of good and makes me happy.

~Christine