16 mist over a gray pondeach breath fades awayno one is here Lesson # 16 Breathe in . . . release.With each breath let go of more and more.As you become empty,you see everything being born, living, passing away. When you were full of yourselfyou grasped, stumbled, and suffered. But empty, you are everything,and even […]
Number Sixteen Stillness Read More »
15 as thin ice cracksstep with the caution and grace of an old master Lesson #15 No one has ever completely understood the Tao,not even Lao Tsu.But some lived in alignment with it:quiet, and self-effacing, taking each step as careful as if on thin ice,alert as a predator on the hunt,as simple as a block
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14 limping along the trailon a chilly morninglooking for what never dies Lesson # 14 It was herebefore there was anything to see,before there was anything to hear,before there was anything to touch,only bright darkness, formless form,everywhere and imperceptible,alive. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching Number Fourteen: Before time Look The Tao cannot
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13transfixed by a bottle of Irish Mista ghost hand touches meone day at a time Lesson # 13 Seek praise and glory and you will find shame and loss.You are the kingdom you seek. You are enough. Start here. Lead from here. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching Number Thirteen: Inner and Outer
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12as the dry leaf blows pastthe hungry ghostsgnaw Lesson # 12 Cell phone screens blind us,violent words and gunshotsassault our ears,making us blind and deaf to life.Drink, drugs, and sugar overwhelm our sensesuntil all we feel is numb.Nothing satisfies.Close your eyes, ears, mouth.Just feel your breath,deep inside the stillness. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao
Number Twelve Overstimulation Read More »
11 early morningthe teacup waits for teafull of empty Lesson 11 Emptiness at the center is useful.The wheel circles around its empty hub.The cup encloses an empty space for your tea.The walls of a room surround its inhabitants. In touch with our own empty center, we can find our true use. Number Eleven: Emptiness What
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10 tiny head in my handwatching my daughter breathethe planet settles down Lesson #10 Breathe into the center of your bodygentle, as though you were stroking a baby. Open, take in the life force, then, let it go.Each breath takes you closerto your deep radiance. Let go of everything else,and let the universe take care
9 I draw the bladeacross the whetstonetoo many times Lesson #9 You only want just a little bit more.The blade breaks from too much sharpening.The wine spills on the floor, overfull.Thieves creep off with your cherished bags of gold. Fame turns to dust. Just enough really is enough. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te
8 water rushes downspring or sewerflushing, nourishing Lesson #8The Tao flowsthrough canyons, faucets, toilets.It loves to flow. You will drowntrying to control life,constantly swimming upstream. Learn to be water,move with the flow,and nothing can be taken away from you. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching Number Eight: Water If you want to know
Number Eight Water Read More »
7 the open mouth of the fledgling sparrownothing satisfies me Lesson #7 Our universeis constantly giving itself awayto itself. Effortlessly.Like the Tao,we are born to serve. From: 81 Lessons from the Tao Te Ching Number Seven: Service Heaven enduresEarth abidesWhy are they everlastingBecause they serve selflessly So too the wise one serves for the love
Number Seven Service Read More »