43Wind wears away stonecarrying dust to the seateach effortlessly Lesson # 43 That which is neutral and infinitesimalcan easily pierce the densest object.It is true of neutrinos and of wisdom. Almost imperceptible energy can crack open that which you thought was impenetrable.This is the teaching of non-forcing.Can you work without efforting?Can you teach without words? […]
Number Forty Three Patience Read More »
42out of one, twoout of two, threeout of three, everything Lesson # 42 In the beginning there was but one thing.Then came the divine split,followed by the dance of the opposites, out of which was born everything. Return to the unity and be healed. There is but one teaching, “Believe in division and die divided.”
Number Forty Two The Dance Read More »
41in the statue’s shadea monkey eats a bananaBuddha doesn’t smile Lesson # 41 The wise student looks for the Taoand becomes a faithful fool.The mediocre student looks for the Tao and starts to teach it to others.The ordinary student hears about the Taoand laughs, as well they should. Come on! The dim brightness, the pathless
Number Forty One: The Long Strange Trip Read More »
40the boy laughsas he chases the red ballacross the graveyard Lesson # 40 Go forth and you will return, eventually.Take action and you will rest, eventually.Everything is set in motion, and then slows, and finally is still.That is what is meant by the words,“Being arises from non-being.” From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching
Number Forty Unseen Read More »
39the world’s greatest runnerdowned by a pebblein his shoe Lesson # 39 Nothing divides us.Above the clear sky and it is our clearness.Below the steady earth and it is our steadiness.Within the flame of lifethat animates everything around us,and it is our flame.The fertileness of the worldis our fertileness. It is the simplest rule:Treat others
Thirty Nine The Good Old Days Read More »
38In The Great MarketI move from the fruit standto the flower stand. Lesson # 38 Before you begin to wake up, you try to be good.When that fails, you try to follow the rules.When that fails, you try to make sure no one hates you.Finally, you just try to survive. After you wake up it
Number Thirty Eight True Action Read More »
37my daughter’s asleepthe neighbor’s dog stops barkingI don’t need to breathe Lesson # 37 How will we save our world?Greed breeds more greed, violence breeds more violence.To accept the way of the Tao is to stop fighting.To accept the way of the Tao is to stop grasping.If our leaders, and if each one of us,could
Number Thirty Seven Fixing Read More »
36the banana slugslides across decaying barkof the once mighty oak Lesson # 36 If you only inhale and hold that breath in,you cannot breathe.You must release that air.Try to stay strong all the time and you will collapse.You must take time to relax.The greatest gift is to give awaythat which you most dearly cling to
Number Thirty Six The Cycle Read More »
35the night skygoes on forevereasier to look at the moon Lesson # 35 How do you teach enlightenment?Not by attracting othersto your great wisdom.Just greet those who come to you,feed them well, talk gently about inconsequential things. The traveler will not understand what impact your peace of mindhas on them,but you will be doing the
Number Thirty Five Don’t Tell Read More »
34drifting on a spit of landwhere the river endsand the ocean begins Lesson # 34 The Tao is in all things,yet it does not dominate them,but it leaves them to find their own way. The Tao is there in the living and the dead,in the past and in the future.It owns nothing, and yeteverything rests
Number Thirty Four The Gift Read More »