February 12, 2022

01

We make it through the dark times
in the strength of our original nature
and the consolation of the right kind of 
emptiness, 
stillness
and silence.

All the help we need is found there
to ground us in the adamantine knowledge of 
the qualities and characteristics,
the gifts, daemon, shtick, abilities, talents, knacks, etc.
that are naturally ours,
and the instincts and intuition
that lead the way in conjunction with
sincerity and spontaneity
to know and do what is called for
in each situation as it arises,
moment by moment,
day by day.

Worry and anxiety are replaced by trust and confidence
in the help that is found within
by being still and quiet,
emptying ourselves of all that prevents
us from being empty,
and waiting to see what stirs to life
and calls us to action
in doing what needs to be done,
here and now.

We start walking in that direction,
and the path opens before us
into worlds we never knew were there,
opening into the adventure of a lifetime,
and wonder upon wonder,
world without end--
who would guess it,
or deny that it is so?

–0–

02

There is very little difference
between a sage and a fool,
and even less difference
between a sage and a child.
The difference being that
the sage sees the truth the fool is saying,
and knows the truth--is the truth--of the child.

Jesus got into trouble with Those Who Know Best
by saying things they did not know were the truth.
By saying things everyone knows to not say.
By doing things everyone knows are not to be done.

Truth is that way.
Those who say the truth and do it,
are on the Bad List of those In The Know.

It is the way.

Which gets in the way of The Way.

The way of The Way
is the way of silence and compassion
observing what's what,
knowing what to do in response to it,
doing it
and letting the fallout be the fallout--
without emotional attachment to the outcome,
but simply observing what's what,
knowing what to do in response to it,
doing it
and letting the fall out be the fallout--
without emotional attachment to the outcome...

No agenda.
No opinion.
Just seeing.
Just knowing.
Just doing.
Just being.

Like a fool.
Like a child.
Who neither know nor care
what should be said and done.
And letting the outcome be the outcome.
With silence and compassion.

–0–

03

Coleman Barks told the story of his granddaughter's softball team
being soundly beaten by the team from a neighboring town
in the 10-And-Under League.
He said, "When the game mercifully ended,
the opposing team rushed out of their dugout,
celebrating and chanting, 'We Won! We Won! We Won!'

Spontaneously and instantly,
his granddaughter's team rushed out of their dugout,
celebrating with equal gusto
and chanting, 'We Lost! We Lost! We Lost!'"

"It was," he said, "One of the most memorable experiences of my life."

–0–