The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of the enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people.
All of them embody the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don't love to compete, but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.
The generals have a saying: "Rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see. Rather than advance an inch it is better to retreat a yard."
This is called going forward without advancing, pushing back without using weapons.
There is no greater misfortune than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself.
When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.
Reference:
The following books were referenced during the talks:
- A Thousand Names for Joy, by Byron Katie, Three Rivers Press, 2007
- The Gospel According to Jesus, by Stephen Mitchell, Harper Collins, 1991
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