January 15-B, 2023

Living in the moment
and seeing what is to be seen there
is a key aspect of being
awake/aware/alive,
and a function of emptiness/stillness/silence/
balance/harmony,
being aligned with the Tao
and responding appropriately
to each situation as it arises.

Our breathing is an anchor point
connecting us to the moment,
as is remembering to be here/now
through all of the contexts
and circumstances
each day has to offer.

Just seeing,
just being,
here/now
is a radical break
from the cultural triggers
designed to control our thinking
and direct our living
in accord with the capitalistic 
drive for Profit At Any Price,
which always leaves us 
with being a bit dissatisfied
with our chances
and at mercy of forces
hawking the ever-present distractions
of drugs/sex/alcohol/money,
keeping us in the loop,
immature and wanting
anything to take our mind off
the deficits and deficiencies
of our life.

The Tao would have us understand
that we are always capable 
of doing what needs to be done--
what needs us to do it--
through all of the conditions
of every here/now,
and that is all that is ever asked of us.

But we want more:
ecstasy, 
bliss,
glory,
eternal and everlasting delight...
when there is only 
seeing and doing
the right thing,
at the right time,
in the right place,
in the right way.

Which provides us with 
all of the ecstasy, etc.,
we need to go on to the next thing.
And the thing after that.

But the dream of More
diverts us from the task at hand
and leads us into the trackless Waste Land
to wander through our days
looking for something worth having.

Or, we could wake up to the moment
of our living
and be amazed.

We are always that close 
to finding what we seek
where we would never think to look.