July 22, 2023 – A

"When you meet an elephant on the trail, GET OFF THE TRAIL!!!"
is an old Taoist/Zen directive
that sets aside all of the "Rules to Live By,"
with the one, overriding, foundational, always pertinent guideline:

"Size things up and decide for yourself what is best/
what is called for in each situation as it arises
and do that,
without looking for permission to do so
from someone who is not there/then!

We are on our own in the day-to-day,
moment-to-moment whirl of life lived
between the clashing rocks
and the heaving waves of the wine dark sea,
and must make it up as we go,
listening to our "Karma Body,"
as SandyNC might say--
which is also our "Dharma Body,"--
that "felt sense" (As in the "Uh-Oh Feeling")
of what needs to be done here/now Right Now!
And being our own guide to what is right, Now!

In doing so,
we learn to trust ourselves over time,
and know how to read the signs,
so that we "get it" 
when we "meet an elephant on the path"
and Get Off The Path!
Or do whatever is appropriate to the situation
within the circumstances of the moment.

We decide what needs to be done,
when, where and how,
and do it,
time after time,
trusting that we will get better at it
as we practice reading the signs
and doing what is called for
all along the way.

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