See the Ball, Move the Ball

Here's a meme share coined by Wayne Dyer in his commentary on the Tao Te Ching, Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

See the ball, move the ball.

In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball. There is no need to personify an enemy; there is no need to manufacture violent emotions. Simply see the ball; move the ball.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 68

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 68th verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 68

The most skillful military leader is neither violent nor aggressive;

The most skillful soldier never acts out of anger.

The best way to win a battle is to avoid confrontation.

The best way to get the job done is to make sure that others’ needs are met.

This ancient principle is known as “living in harmony” with your fellows.

Living in harmony brings out the best in others.

When you live in perfect harmony with others, you live in perfect harmony with the metaverse.

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In this verse, Lao Tzu describes the metaversal principle of Harmonious Cooperation thusly: all Units of Consciousness have their jobs to do, and the most efficient way for us all to get our jobs done is through cooperation, not competition. Even Generals and soldiers, whose very jobs seem defined by combative non-cooperation, are most successful when they fight not out of anger or violent intent, but dispassionately, solely to "get the job done."

Wayne Dyer says of competition in his commentary on the Tao entitled Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao :
“…cooperate with your opponents by wanting them to play at a high level—the best they’re capable of. Shift your focus from being upset or self-reproaching to the task at hand. See the ball, move the ball, or remain upright and balanced in a martial-arts contest. When anger isn’t a component, your game will go to a new level… So change your thinking about competing to cooperating in all areas of your life, including your work.” p. 324
I like Dyer's meme: "See the ball, move the ball." In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball.

Begging the question: In this game of life, how do you know if the ball needs moving? You will find yourself there and aware in some situation; you will see a ball that needs moving; you will be in an excellent position to move the ball; therefore, it is quite likely your job is to move the ball. That's all. Your primary job is not to harm or crush any other in order to move that ball. If the Universe has some need for the ball to move, it will be moved. The Universe has arranged circumstances to put you there to move the ball. If someone else winds up doing the job instead of you, that's great, too. It doesn't really matter who in particular gets the job done, as long as it gets done. In this manner, we not only cooperate with one another, but we cooperate with the Universe, and the metaversal principles it embodies.

Personal Note: Acknowledgements

This is an entirely original work, inspired by decades of prayer and meditation upon a variety of sacred and secular texts. Here is a sampling of the books and thinkers that have most influenced me in the past:

• The Holy Bible, various versions

• The Tao Te Ching, various translations and commentaries

• The Bhagavad Gita, translation and commentary by Paramahansa Yogananda

• The Second Coming of Christ, by Paramahansa Yogananda

• The Lazy Man’s Guide to Enlightenment, by Thaddeus Golas

• A number of popular physics books, including Geometry, Relativity, and the 4th Dimension by Rudolf Rucker; Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav; and The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra

• And assorted works by Carl Jung, Fritz Perls, Baba Ram Dass, Echkart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, and Kenneth Burke

I have also “sat at the feet” of dozens of inspired individuals who did their best to satisfy my insatiable intellectual and spiritual hunger. These teachers came in many guises, from university professors to preachers to my 7th grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Bond.

Lastly, I would like to thank my favorite philosophical sounding boards—my infinitely patient and loving husband, Gary Ropp; and my brothers, David Puett and Dr. Bill Puett, with whom I have shared a lifetime of inquiry, faith, and love.

Cyd Ropp, Ph.D.
November, 2009
Ashland, Oregon