Thread: A dish and rituals? a question for those in the know.

Vacancy, stillness, placidity, tastelessness, quietude, silence and non-action;-this is the Level of heaven and earth, and the perfection of the Tao and its characteristics...Resting here, they were vacant; from their vacancy came their fullness; from their fullness came the nice distinction of things. From their vacancy came their stillness; that stillness was followed by movement; their movements were successful. From their stillness came their non-action. Doing nothing, they devolved the cares of office on their employés. Doing-nothing was accompanied by the feeling of satisfaction, anxieties and troubles find no place; and the years of life are many.

The Writings of Kwang-Tzu
Translated by James Legge

I think we are doing it even if we do not realize it. In taoism there is an emphasis on the simple man as representing true virtue. He does not know but does and lives without trying. There is also an emphasis on basic everyday tasks that we master. These tasks should not separate man from the Tao but bring him closer. A straight razor does cause mindfullness but does not detract from the Tao since its movements are part of a learned set of skills that brings about a silent focus and an emptiness. From this emptiness we see the connection-10,000 things.

I like to shave outside when the weather is nice.

My deck has no running water. I either sit at the table with all of my kit on a bamboo cutting board...


Or I hang a travel mirror on the arbor and have at it while standing...


Since I started Cold Water Shaves, it has gotten easier since there is no hurry to finish before the water cools.

DE or straight.. makes no difference. But straights are actually a bit easier because I wipe the lather on a wet wash cloth instead of rinsing in the water, so the water stays clean.

The only change I make is lather needs to be a bit wetter.. the breeze dries it rather quickly.

No matter when or where, it absolutely takes on a meditative flavor.