01

The impulse of our original nature comes to us in the silence of watching, listening-- which characterizes the Aborigines' walkabouts, and the Native American vision quests, and our own search for the source of life and being-- to guide our boat on its path through the sea. "The path that can be discerned is not a reliable path," said the old Taoist Sage. Such is every path through the sea, and the way of every life lived in accord with the Tao. "The spirit," said Jesus, "is like the wind that blows where it will." Not knowing itself what it will do next. Thus, we wait and watch, listening, looking for the impulse of our original nature to signal what is needed now, here, one situation at a time. This is prayerful living-- praying without words, by being quiet and listening for "the still small voice," which is more of something occurring to us than something talking to us-- something being realized, not something being said. And off we go, with the wind that blows where it will, and no idea of what's next, and then what, and where it's all going. It is enough to ride with the wind of the Tao propelling our boat on its path through the sea. The adventure of a lifetime from one moment to the next.
–0–
02

Being centered, grounded, at one with ourselves and the moment, balanced, in harmonious accord with here, now, waiting, listening, watching, for the propitious time to act in the service of what is being called for, of what is needed-- the right action in the right place and the right way at the right time-- spontaneously arising in us and through us without thinking of ways to exploit the occasion for our gain/good, or figuring out the best course to some achievement, accomplishment, end we have in mind-- just seeing, just knowing, just realizing, just doing, here, now, moment to moment situation by situation, day by day, one at a time, all our life long. Dancing with time and place and Tao all the way. Who could do more? "Do your work and step back, let nature take its course," said the Sage, doing his work, and stepping back.
–0–
03

The Tao can be summed up as: "The Flow of Pace and Timing, Kid, the Flow of Pace and Timing." Some people are naturals at the flow of pace and timing. They live in accord with the Tao without knowing what they are doing. They come in on cue and depart when their work is done. They read the situation, sense what is called for, respond with what is needed, and are known for making things right wherever they are. There is an air of grace and peace, balance and harmony, about them, and they are a blessing upon all who come their way. At the far extreme, there are those who create disturbance and chaos in every situation they enter. One group is sensitive to, and live as servants of, the flow of pace and timing, and the other group lives to demolish and destroy anything resembling it. This is yang and yin in real time. In a world of yin, yang comes along as the gift it is, and people relish the experience of its presence, and dream of its hoped-for return.
Right on, Jimโ๐๐๐
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
LikeLike