February 14, 2025

We carry around with us the assumption of permanence, 
as though things will be what they are forever
unchanged.

It comforts us, steadies us, reassures us
to be able to assume the ongoingness of 
what appears to be reliably there.

The Linville River has flowed for thousands of years,
and is probably safe for thousands more.
And the fact that "we can't step into 
the same river twice,
doesn't bother us.
This scene will be fundamentally unchanged
throughout our life time.
Barring earthquakes, forest fires,
another hurricane matching Helene
which rearranged mountain sides and rivers
a hundred miles or so to the north.

Being capable of recovering our balance and harmony,
of regaining and maintaining our foundation
and orientation when change takes everything away
is a test of our resiliency and our constitution.

How do we practice letting go?
Enter the silence by letting go
of thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires...
Empty yourself of everything
and sit in the stillness and silence...
This is what nothing feels like.
Adapt to the experience
and seek out in the silence
your original nature,
your innate virtues (The things you do best,
and enjoy doing most),
your inherent imagination,
your intrinsic intuition.
And may they be with you always
throughout the time left for living--
because with them,
we have what we need to find what we need,
to live on, live on.