Being Human

We label too much these days, from sicknesses to behaviors and patterns. Analyzing both simple acts and the complicated ones. We have lost our naturalness.

Here’s a beautiful tale from “The Way of Chuang Tzu” by Thomas Merton.

WHEN LIFE WAS FULL THERE WAS NO HISTORY

In the age when life on earth was full, no one paid any special attention to worthy men, nor did they single out the man of ability.

Rulers were simply the highest branches on the tree, and the people were like deer in the woods.

They were honest and righteous without realizing that they were "doing their duty."

They loved each other and did not know that this was "love of neighbor."

They deceived no one yet they did not know that they were "men to be trusted."

They were reliable and did not know that this was "good faith."

They lived freely together giving and taking, and did not know that they were generous.

For this reason their deeds have not been narrated.

They made no history.