Finding our way to The Way one situation at a time. I don't know how great it will be, but I expect it will be interesting, and I look forward to it going on past all reason because wonder is just that way. Are you coming or not?
Egret Ballet 01 — This series of six images was created at a rookery populated only by White Egrets on Avery Island, Louisiana in 1915
We are capable of things we cannot imagine simply by relaxing into ourselves and opening ourselves up to each situation as it arises, allowing the situation to call us forth in the service of what is called for here, now. The old Taoist ideal of doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time, in the right way--which Is The Tao--has always been a simple matter of allowing the situation to call forth action from us that is appropriate to the occasion regardless of what we want to do/serve/achieve/acquire.
Our single-minded want has to be to live in ways that serve what is called for here, now--regardless of the implications that may have for us and all that we have in mind for ourselves and/or our life.
We are all quite capable of knowing what is called for but we negate that super power by dismissing, denying, denouncing, disregarding what is called for in our life long service to what we desire, crave, want, lust, after and live for with all our heart, mind, soul and strength.
And therein lies the problem that has us where we are in our life, in our society, in our culture, in our world.
We all say we want "to make a difference." But. Not to the point of self-sacrifice and self-surrender to what is called for in each situation as it arises all our life long.
Which is all that is standing between us and Nirvana, the Elysian Fields, the Farther Shore, things as they ought to be, now and forever.
I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing.
I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.
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Jim Dollar's Photography and Philosophy 