A student once told the
master about some disciples who were laughing and carrying on one afternoon in
the courtyard. “Master, was this not wrong to do so?“ asked the student. The
master smiled and said, “A person who follows the Dao should not be all doom
and gloom. Daoists can laugh, smile, play, enjoy. When the heart is happy, be
happy. When the heart is with sorrow, then be sorrowful. There are clouds that
are light and fluffy, and clouds that are filled with rain. There is an
appropriate time for each. If we are wise we can learn to appreciate what both
can teach us.”
