Thoughts, Words, Deeds

…that's all we have that's really ours. And they're all different from each other. The rest is just stuff we borrow. This newsletter will explore these bold assertions and will hopefully answer the question, So what? We will also make some connections to the Tao Te Ching.

Perhaps it's obvious that thoughts, words, and deeds are different from each other. Nonetheless, it's worth exploring how. For a start, each has different consequences. I think deeds matter most because they can make most of a difference. But words can make a difference too, depending on what they lead to.

The trouble is that it can all get complicated very quickly. Words may or may not match what gets done; so confusion can creep in there. And thoughts by themselves may or may not lead to either words or deeds. If they lead to neither, then they just stay in our heads and make no difference to anyone else. And from our point of view, if they lead to nothing, they make no difference to us either.

So, where am I going with this? Good question. And aren't I assuming that making a difference is what matters most? Yes, it seems I am. Well, that's certainly worth a second look.

I think everything we do has a consequence – including doing nothing. If our actions are intentional then at least we have given some thought as to what the consequences might be. If we go on to talk about it and do it, then we have the complete sequence of thought, word, deed with each one leading to the next. But this seldom happens in a straight line, does it?

I am tempted to say that it goes without saying that we don't always get the consequences we intended. But it seems I just said it. Oh well. (There's a thought getting itself into words.) However, the point of saying it is to remind ourselves that intentions and consequences are not always the same.

Sometimes we get what we had in mind; sometimes we don't. Sometimes we succeed only partially; sometimes we totally fail; sometimes we get blindsided by something we never saw coming. I'm sure we've all experienced the many possible variations that life can offer. As a result, we all know it can be quite an adventure.

What's interesting is that as soon as we have something in mind, it starts to take up space. And when our mind is full, then there's no room for anything else. The result is our minds become closed, regardless of how "open-minded" we think we may be. Examples of things taking up space include thinking that certain things are "good" versus "not good" or wondering whether certain people are trustworthy or not trustworthy. Here's Lao Tzu talking about how having anything in mind takes up space.

“The Master has no mind of her own. She works with the mind of the people. She is good to people who are good. She is also good to people who aren’t good. This is true goodness. She trusts people who are trustworthy. She also trusts people who aren’t trustworthy. This is true trust” (chapter 49). I think “true goodness” and “true trust” are what lie beyond our everyday notions that they are simply something to be desired; and that people who “aren’t good” or "aren't trustworthy” are to be avoided.

Lao Tzu continues “The Master’s mind is like space. People don’t understand her. They look to her and wait. She treats them like her own children” (chapter 49). The reason people don’t understand the Master is because they’re assuming her mind is full of the same things as theirs are. And it’s not. It’s empty – like space. “Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace” (chapter 16).

So, what does the Master do with thoughts, words, and deeds? I think he (or she) simply bypasses the first two completely. “Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master’s way” (chapter 43). I think “performing without actions” refers to just doing the deeds without talking about them, or attracting attention, or expecting to be seen in a certain light by others as a result of having done them. To the Master, I think all these things are beside the point. What the Master does is the point. That’s all that matters.

So, we’re back to my earlier comment about whether doing something that makes a difference is the only thing that matters. And I think the answer is yes. “The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole” (chapter 39). When this viewpoint is the basis for doing deeds, then what gets done supports the balance of the whole. “Be aware when things are out of balance. Stay centered within the Tao” (chapter 53).

With respect to the difference between thoughts, words, and deeds, I said at the start that I’d try to answer the So What question. So, here’s my answer. I think deeds that are centered in the Tao are the ones that make most of a difference. Why? Because they support, or restore, the balance of the whole. However, I also note that right now I’m doing a lot of thinking and talking. I recall “The Master doesn’t talk, he acts” (chapter 17). So perhaps it’s time for me to stop!

On the other hand, if any of the thoughts and words in this newsletter lead to my doing things that are centered in the Tao, then they will at least have led to something rather than nothing. And if any of them cause you to do something similar, then there’s another way in which they will have made a difference (even if only a small one).

Well, that was a lot of talking. I’m reminded of the saying “When all is said and done, much more is said than done.” What do you think? How much of your time is spent on thoughts versus words versus deeds? Do you think being aware of this improves the chances of your deeds making a difference?

If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, you can get in touch with me by:

• replying to this e-mail (which will include this newsletter)

• sending me a new email, i.e., without this newsletter

Send new email

• reaching me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FrancisPringMillAuthor

• using the Contact page on my website www.francispringmill.com/contact

Thanks for reading. Please feel free to share this newsletter.

Francis

IN OTHER NEWS...

Past newsletters are here: www.francispringmill.com/newsletter-archive

In Harmony with the Tao: A Guided Journey into the Tao Te Ching is available here. There Is No Somewhere Else: Insights from the Tao Te Ching is available here.

Synopses and reviews for both books are on www.francispringmill.com/books

If you have enjoyed my books and have a spare couple of minutes, I'd love it if you could leave an Amazon review so more people can discover them. (The customer review link for In Harmony with the Tao is here, and for There Is No Somewhere Else is here.)