Pondering Life : Pursuing God

My Pondering

I liked this show as a kid, watching on TV as a boy, much like you Kwai Chaine I appreciate it even more as an adult looking to optimize and improve my mindset.

Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk, roams around the western United States in the 1870’s. He often flashes back to his early formative training in the monastery from his teachers, the blind Master Poand Master Chen Ming Kan. In those flashbacks recall moments, Master Po advises his young student “patience, Grasshopper”, a nickname given from a lesson he taught to young Caine as a boy to being aware of the world around him, including the grasshopper that happened to be at his feet at that moment.

Many of the aphorisms used in the series are adapted from or derived directly from the Tao Te Ching, a book of ancient Taoist philosophy attributed to the sage Lao-tzu.

Here is clip for your viewing:

To successfully engage in any long term endeavor, one must willingly participate. To have a strong why and purpose of one’s free will.

Some people, the best of us, have a mind which is wiser than average. Their mindset aids them. By understanding fundamentals and being eager to learn,

Caine was an idea student and a good example for us.

Clarity of purpose, clarity of the mission and clarity of the situation is critical. When we act based upon sound doctrine and strong principle which are embedded in minds (brain and heart), we make better and quicker decisions and this allows us to focus on peripherals, the details, to see what other people miss.

The battle is already on and hot whether we acknowledge it or not. There is an invisible war in the spiritual realm. When you are in tune and live accordingly with God, you have already on the ultimate battle.

Jesus Christ said similar, that He came so that we may live the abundant life. Though Caine was not a Christian, he was taught many Godly principles. When we are focused, trained and disciplined we are able to excel.

Caine was often attacked and ridiculed due to his humility and desire for peace foremost. He was truly the epitome of meekness, power under control. People who are vain and prideful often blunder and cause their on demise as God opposes the proud.

All life is precious, even that of fools. First seek for good of all encountered. Seek to serve with no expectation required for givers gain the most, just sometimes in intangible and ways to be determined later. A most precious facet of life is time. The dash between one’s birth – death.

This reminds me of:

“Begin with the end in mind”

Stephen Covey,
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

As well as the greek philosopher who stated:

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Aristotle

No doubt, knowing God helps us to know ourselves.

Life is walk, as the Bible refers to, hopefully a rather long one with no doubt twists and turns. Patience is important as lasting true success is commutative.

Success is a journey,
not a destination.

Anonymous

Here is a clip from the show where Caine learns a valuable lesson on a journey: Watch here.

Caine discovers how water is always balanced and wears down mountains by its steady flow. Know God, know peace. This is wise.

We are to use our whole self to sense the world, our five physical senses and our spiritual sixth sense as well.

Being a continuous learner is where it’s at. Leaders are readers. When we stop learning, we start dying.

Caine learn a lesson from nature regarding life ripples from one generation to the next, from one life event to another. Love transcends and transforms like nothing else.

Ignorance is a lame excuse but takes many down as they ignore their fleshly weaknesses. No man is immune to interior collapse and that’s why we need to rely on a higher power.

The could be straight from ‘The Art of War’ by fellow Chinese and military genius and general, Sun Tzu who wrote:

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win”

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

This is what all great leaders do, what all great people do; help others win. To love God and love people,

No doubt, a strong offense makes the best defense. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. As Caine said:

“Expect the unexpected.”

Caine

This is a solid example to respect our opponents and competition by not belittling them.

We all perceive things differently. We are wise to discern the truth and reality.

There is a time for war and a time for peace.

As Ronald Reagan so well exemplified un dealing with the Russians during win the Cold War:

Trust and Verify.

Ronald Reagan

Love ultimately conquers and is the greatest aspiration.

We should just trust in ourselves but that we align ourselves with God’s will and way. This is in accord with Romans 8:28:

“God causes all thing to work together for good
to those who love Him and called to His purpose.”

Paul,
Romans 8:28

A gallery of select photos: