02


A land where everyone is glad to be who they are, and to be doing what was theirs to do, seeing things as they are, knowing what needs to be done and doing it in each situation as it arises, day in and day out, all their life long is found only in the mythical sphere of the Elysian Fields, Nirvana, The Farther Shore, Shangri-la, Camelot... In this world, we can only catch glimpses of that world in individuals wh0 have made their peace with their life and have settled into their place in it, and stand out in the memories of all who know them to be a comforting incarnation of the kind of life that should be available to everyone if only, but for... what? What is keeping everyone from having what a few people manage? The Old Taoists talk about "the ancient ones" in this light: the people go back to simple techniques relish their food, like their clothes, are comfortable in their ways, and enjoy their work. Neighboring states may be so close they can hear each other's dogs and roosters, but the people have no need to go back and forth (From the Tao Te Ching, chapter 80). But "greed and folly," "will and desire," "cunning and contrivance" come along to introduce the idea of personal advantage and gain into the daily fare, and people soon are living to have what the can't use in the service of what they don't like to spend what they don't have to buy what will be in a landfill in a month or a year... And it is left to individuals to separate themselves from the masses and live from their own core to honor their own gifts in building a life around the things that matter most, becoming a memory in the minds of those who knew them to be a comforting incarnation of the kind of life that should be available to everyone if only, but for... what? --0-- 01

What are you doing? Whatever it is, stop and ask yourself, "What am I doing?" or, "What do I think I'm doing?" periodically throughout each day. As a way of grounding yourself in the moment, and examining/exploring your actions, intentions, practices, and reflecting on what you are up to, about, serving, in each moment, each time and place, each here and now. Do not go unconsciously, mindlessly, unaware through a day. Notice what drives you, pulls you, calls you, directs you, guides you, leads you comforts and protects you through the daily fare. In light of what do you live? Check in from time to time and find out.