Mystical Poet Han-shan

Roughly, this poem is about perspective. An argument between two poets, there is controversy between what makes a poem valuable. Han-Shan is deterred by, "a scholar named Wang," who laughs at his poem. Wang values poems based on meter and word selection. Han-Shan, in turn devalues Wang's poems saying, "The read like the words of a blind man describing the sun." While focusing on a disagreement, it also reveals the importance of experience.

Perspective is an interesting topic. Psychologist produced visual allusions one perspective a person sees a vase, while another sees two women. People discuss perspective in order to see both the vase and two women, making the whole picture complete. Complacency makes it so both poets only see there own perspective.

Reading Han-Shan's poem, experience is important. Many people read books about various topics, yet without a perspective from experience the information seems useless. When able understand information through something real, it becomes important to remember many facets of the action, philosophy or premise.

How does a secretary know to calculate overlap when an engineer does not? The secretary learned by working on her own do-it-yourself projects. The engineer learned from books so while being able to divide a line into parts within the tolerance of a quark, they forget gravity. Therefore, when making designs, materials cover three inch surface, yet the metal plate falls though. The secretary reminds them to have a quarter inch overlap so it will stay in place.

This is life. As a child our parents tell us their wisdom. Many books supplying ancient wisdom are available. People may listen to information, never straying. It becomes a tool with use after encountering an applicable situation. If someone strays they begin to see the event from many angles. It becomes a sword. While experience is great, often it is nice to accept information as true without finding out why.

Quirky Books
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff

Tao Te Ching excerpt Laozi

High winds do not blow all morning;

Heavy rain does not fall all day.

Are not these made by heaven and earth?

If the power of heaven and earth

Cannot make violent activity last,

How can you?

This excerpt is taken from "the Te of Piglet" by Benjamin Hoff. Finding it intriguing, it is mentioned in the chapter concerning Tigger. The author went through a great deal of time making sure everyone knows Tigger's behavior is incorrect.

All virtues are important in maintaining a healthy society; however, sometimes there are inefficiencies related to a personality type. Laozi's observations are also observed by modern scientists. When finding how to handle this almost compulsive behavior of wanting to be lively and moving from one challenge to the next, boredom appears to be at the base of why they tend to grow and build only to start over when everything starts coming together. The advice is to practice patience, remain in a current activity and through self discovery find a career or path that is emotionally and intellectually fulfilling. Though ruts are odd to this nature those capable of staying on a similar path even when performing multiple tasks become irreplaceable members of the team, because they become skilled in their occupation and anticipate change. Desiring new experiences develops knowledge of many things.

The overall interpretation of the poem is applicable to a variety of people. One person does not always play the same role. Leaders are also students. Students are also teachers. Teachers are also workers and so-on. Instead of a static action we learn from various roles in life. Leaders need to be knowledgeable; therefore, when not directing they are learning from mentors shifting from being large to small.

An area of the poem makes me think of interpersonal relations, "Praising the self, one earns no respect." Often in life we feel above others, forgetting ourselves. People are not too different from animals. Another study revealed comfort between people in relation to proximity. Strangers stand five to three feet away; while friends stand closely even touching each other in a representation of pack mentality. It isn't odd to brush someone's hair away from their face or pluck lint from their suit. In between these stages a person will tell another there is food stuck to their lip.

Oddly, sometimes the pack is also composed of strangers. One time, at work, it was fine when a total stranger told me something was stuck to my shoe. At another time I was in a social gathering and someone felt it appropriate to brush my hair away and even place their hands on my shoulders. It was fine. Yet when someone I didn't know repeated a personal joke to me after talking to a friend. The reaction was, "Who do you think you are? We're not friends. You don't even know what that joke means."

A duality appears in the phrase, "Praising the self, one earns no respect." Their action of unwelcome aggression against me halts the ability to become friends. Though it seemed harmless, moving to quickly into a position of trust was unwelcome. My action towards them furthers the rift. Now, though total strangers, harbor ill will towards each other. If being in tune with our own natures we would be small and take moderate actions to prevent reactions. "Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes."

It is odd how frequently large groups of individuals are represented through one person. An article "Our Capital," expands on the topic. This poem reflects one ethos in a microcosm to a macrocosm. Having many meanings, seeming to evade direct phrasing allows readers to find personal truth within the poem; therefore, the true meaning is what the person derives.

Related Article
Our Capital
Sales Acuity

Poetry Breakdown
Dragonfly Haiku by Kobayashi Issa

Quirky Books
The Te of Piglet by Benjamin Hoff