26the pine tree bendsagainst unceasing windroots deep in earth. Lesson # 26 Consider a tree.The twigs and leaves or needlesare grounded by the trunk.Wind may whip or break them, but solid and still, the trunk does not move.As you travel throughThe Great Mall of the World,turn away from the winds of distractionthe shiny baubles and […]
Number Twenty Six The Tree Read More »
25old black dogasleep, twitching I write haiku Lesson # 25 There are three great truths: 1-Everything originates, even before the Big Bang, from the Mother of Everything. 2- There are four great patterns in Creation:1) space/time, 2) energy,3) matter, and 4) consciousness. 3- We serve the Tao, and the Taojust wants to know itself. From:
Number Twenty Five Mother of Everything Read More »
24stand on your tip toesreaching up as far as you canforever Lesson # 24 How long can you stand on your tiptoes?How long can you run before collapsing on the ground? How many people do you have to impress before you love yourself? How many people do you have to make wrong before you know
Number Twenty Four Trying Read More »
23 thunder rage lightningfinally it all blows overand then the moon Lesson # 23 High winds don’t last forever.Thunderstorms pass eventually.There is an arc to everything. Everything arises and then passes away.Pay attention to the flow.Rise with the beginning, radiate at the zenith,and let go as it begins to fade away.Trust. From: 81 Lessons from
Number Twenty Three Be Quiet Read More »
22no going upstreamthe river far too swiftfor a leaf Lesson # 22 Surrender, and you will win.Give, and you will receive.Embrace aging,and you feel freer and younger.Let go of control,and it all falls into place. Just stop working at life so hard. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching Number 22: Yielding Yield and
Number Twenty Two Yielding Read More »
21 formless yet within all formssubtle and intangiblewhat the fuck is it? Lesson # 21 At first, trying to understand seems impossible.The Tao is as slippery as an eel,formless, but in everything,timeless, but immediate. When I am very quietI can barely perceive its presence.How do I know that it is there at all?Look around. From:
Twenty One Inside of Us Read More »
20 infant on her mother’s breastthere is justnot enough time Lesson # 20 A newborn child looks into its mother’s eyes, empty and content. Later we learn to grab, hold, defend, attack.I am that innocent child, owning nothing, competing for nothing,hungry for nothing, planning nothing.alone, and at peace.Everyone else is very busyHow can I explain?I
Number Twenty A Lonely Path Read More »
19 the old man has forgottenthe day that the crowds cheered his victory Lesson # 19 Early on, we want what we wantwhen we want it.Then, with agewe begin to care about others.Loyalty and simple service are the best we can do.Later we understand how much we clingto the image of being good.Finally, we just
Number Ninteen Stop Working On It Read More »
18 the army triumphantthe politician victorious the Tao is lost. Lesson # 18 When our connection with the Tao is lost, the great pretense begins.We create lists of what is good and bad,what we should and shouldn’t do,what is right and what is wrong.We obey our elders, serve our masters,obey out of loyalty and fear,and
Number Eighteen Non-Alignment Read More »
17 sunlight highlighting a bright, tiny emerald buga jewel from a dead king’s crownLesson # 17 Most leaders want to leave a legacy.Many leave a trail of tears and wounds behind them.The deeply wise leaderleaves no trace behind.Those they led still believethat they did it all by themselves. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te
Number Seventeen Kinds of Leaders Read More »