[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fqrQDOACP_InqDtlA5_j8TVlKVc6iyKhThFmR1U9ulPk":3,"$fZdBcT_wPf8OTTB3opXVZ15bXJWIRSMIwRiDwu2k79-w":16},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},2112,"Deng Ming-Dao","D",80,null,"deng-ming-dao",[12],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":14,"tag_count":15},2527,"taoism",8,{"quotes":17,"pagination":84},[18,26,32,39,46,52,59,65,72,78],{"id":19,"quote_text":20,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":23,"source":24,"quote_tag":25,"commentary":9},3635420,"Sharing the same meal reaffirms kinship.",7,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":27,"quote_text":28,"author_id":5,"source_id":21,"has_image":22,"author":29,"source":30,"quote_tag":31,"commentary":9},3635410,"Shared dining fortifies us.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":33,"quote_text":34,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":36,"source":37,"quote_tag":38,"commentary":9},2976227,"Things cannot forever go downward. There are limits to everything – even the cold, and the darkness, and the wind, and the dying.",6,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":40,"quote_text":41,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":42,"source":43,"quote_tag":44,"commentary":45},2976226,"Turn your face to the sun, as flowers know how to do.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nDeng Ming-Dao, a Chinese-American author and philosopher, likely penned this quote in one of his spiritual and philosophical works, possibly \"Daily Energetics\" or \"Treasures of the Tao\". Born in 1938, Deng's life was shaped by the tumultuous times of World War II, the Chinese Civil War, and the Cultural Revolution. His writings often reflected his experiences and insights on resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of inner balance.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote's beauty lies in its subtle yet profound counter-intuitive truth: it's not about facing the sun with blind optimism, but rather about aligning oneself with the natural flow of life. The flowers don't force their petals to face the sun; they naturally turn towards it, allowing themselves to be nourished and sustained.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset, try embracing the concept of \"wu-wei\" (non-action) in your daily life. Instead of forcing your goals or desires onto the world, attune yourself to the natural currents of your environment and let your actions unfold organically, much like a flower turning its face to the sun.",{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":49,"source":50,"quote_tag":51,"commentary":9},2976225,"Life is a constant series of opportunities. If we don’t reach out for things, if we don’t take advantage of what comes our way, then we cannot be in harmony with the essential nature of life.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":53,"quote_text":54,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":55,"source":56,"quote_tag":57,"commentary":58},2976224,"It is said that if one chooses to pray to a rock with enough devotion, even that rock will come alive.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Deng Ming-Dao, a Chinese philosopher and spiritual leader. The era of Deng Ming-Dao's life was marked by significant cultural and philosophical shifts in China, where traditional Confucianism was being challenged by new ideas and influences. This quote likely reflects his perspective on the power of intention and devotion in shaping reality.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote's meaning goes beyond a literal interpretation of a rock coming alive. It highlights the tension between the external, physical world and the internal, subjective experience. The author is suggesting that our perception of reality is not fixed, but rather is influenced by our intentions and devotion.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider that your perception of a problem or obstacle is not a reflection of its objective reality. By cultivating a strong intention and devotion to solving the issue, you can shift your perspective and find creative solutions. This requires a willingness to challenge your own assumptions and biases, and to approach problems with a sense of curiosity and openness.",{"id":60,"quote_text":61,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":62,"source":63,"quote_tag":64,"commentary":9},2976223,"We need faith, not because there are beings who will punish us or reward us, but because gods are a wonderful way of describing things that are happening to us.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":66,"quote_text":67,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":68,"source":69,"quote_tag":70,"commentary":71},2976222,"Death is not an ending. It is a transformation. Death is the threshold of this life. Beyond it is something else, some mystery.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],"**The Backstory**\n\nDeng Ming-Dao, a Chinese Taoist master and scholar, wrote these words in his book \"Treasury of Daily Wisdom\", a collection of practical wisdom for everyday living, drawing from the teachings of Taoism and Zen Buddhism. The era was one of great social and economic change in China, with Deng's own life marked by both hardship and spiritual exploration. His writings offer insights into the human condition, often presented as paradoxes that challenge conventional thinking.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat lies beneath this quote is not a sentimental or fatalistic acceptance of death, but rather an invitation to confront and transform one's understanding of existence. The phrase \"Death is the threshold\" implies a border beyond which lies a realm of mystery, challenging readers to question their assumptions about what comes after life.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nWhen faced with personal loss or existential crises, adopt Deng Ming-Dao's mindset by reframing your perspective on death as transformation rather than an ending. This requires introspection and a willingness to explore the unknown, embracing the idea that beyond our current understanding lies a realm of mystery waiting to be uncovered.",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":9},2976221,"When it is time to part, then it is time to part. There should be no regrets. The beauty of marriage is like the fleeting perfection of a snowflake.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":79,"quote_text":80,"author_id":5,"source_id":35,"has_image":22,"author":81,"source":82,"quote_tag":83,"commentary":9},2976220,"Eventually, the time of action must come. When this happens, be a winner! Don’t settle for mediocre results. Don’t try to stay even. Go for it all!",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"currentPage":85,"totalPages":15,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":86},1,10]