KEEP THE OLD WARM

If by keeping the old warm one can provide understanding of the new, one is fit to be a teacher. – 孔夫子 Master Kong (Confucius) The Analects 2:11

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This is my experience; after reading wisdom from the past, it pulled me out of pain and isolation and into joy and hope. I wanted to live that wisdom in the present with others.

From a forest of choking thorns in the soul, a dark cave of isolation, I now walk to a shining beacon on a hill, out into the sunlight of the world. Never again can I ignore the ability of timeless wisdom to help us reach the potentials of each of our stories.

This wisdom from recent or ancient past is a sacred treasure: writings of philosophy, literature, history, poetry, music, politics, and more, are known today for a reason. It was all passed on by individuals because it helped them. As a society, enough individuals all benefit from these things, an all decide it must live on and continue to help future generations. I believe it a duty of some to keep it warm and pass it onto the future. Those who aspire to be teachers must Keep the Old Warm, and never let the fire die out.

In this way, wisdom is passed down from generation to generation to help us live well. We are able to not only absorb this Old Wisdom, but combine it with our worlds. This is understanding the new; we grasp the present with wise insight, enabling us to build a better future. After we absorb wisdom, we are able to teach others by living it out in the moment and sharing sources wisdom with others.

To be a true teacher and help the world, we first teach ourselves. We take council with Old Wisdom and let it improve our lives and learn to live it in truth. Then, we can aim to teach others and save the world. We may not become teachers of math, science, or music, but we can be teachers of wisdom, humaneness, and love. We will make ourselves and others better friends, family members, lovers, and members of any community.

Although I am still putting Old Wisdom into practice and am no true teacher yet, I aim to Keep the Old Warm by continuing to learn and live what I learn. In time, I may come to provide Understanding of the New world we emerge into each day. I hope this blog can help you do the same.

Keep the Old Warm, to provide Understanding of the New.