Thoughts Along the Journey - In Remembrance

     As I turned on my computer this morning, I learned of the passing of Dr. Wayne Dyer. The writings of  Dr. Dyer have been a strong influence in my life and have helped me make sense of a sometimes senseless world.  He will be missed. Rest in peace. You did good.

     Today marks the 47th anniversary of my mother's passing.
     How do I remember her?  With kindness and gratitude that such a loving spirit was my closest friend, one who cared for me like no other.  The challenges in her life were many, for my father was not an easy man to live with.  But she stayed.  It was not thinkable to part even if abused and devalued.

     I think when a spouse dies before their time like that, it is kind of an escape.  If parting in any other way was unthinkable then death was, after all, the only way.

     But she was kind and gentle to me, not always, but enough that that is the way I think of her.  She never forsake me, no matter what path I took.

     I miss that loyalty in my own life and with my own family, but I hope to think this abandonment is for a purpose, a way for me to grow in an entirely new direction.  I am a part of a larger family and have learned to love and appreciate myself as reflected in the many different eyes and through my connection to my Creator.

     Yes, I am cared for and I give thanks that my origins have blessed me and that my dear, sweet- natured mother has found peace "in the house of the Lord forever".

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 79 - Forgivness

"Where there is injury, let me give pardon."         St. Francis of Assisi

     The need to be right, that champion of the ego, creates dissension and disruption to the soul that wants above all else to follow the way of the Tao.
      Why is the need to be right so tied in to one's self worth?  Is it not enough to be loved and sustained by the Supreme Power, to be acknowledged as the offspring of our Creator?
     Forgiving is the way of the Tao.  Letting be and giving kindness, compassion and love where there was resentment before; that is the way to peace.  Finding strength in proffering those qualities, not in a surface way, but in the spirit of our oneness, is allowing the flow of the Tao to bless us all. 

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 78 - Yielding

     Like water, yield to those hard and rigid places that present themselves as obstacles. In yielding there is strength not weakness.

     " A soft answer turns away wrath."  The Tao teaches a gentler, more powerful way of being, so paradoxical to what we have been taught in Western culture.

     The Way of Tao is a kinder path in life: effective and compassionate.  It is doing without doing; it is overcoming without force; it is the power of peace.

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 77 - The Tao of Balance

     Nature's way is to restore balance: where there is excess, Nature reduces and where there is scarcity, Nature increases.  When forests grow too thick, wildfires thin  In land saturated with rain and flood, eventually drought occurs. Mountains are worn down, valleys built up.

     One of the ways to allow new prosperity into our lives is to take stock of what we own, clear out the excess by whatever means:  gifts to those who are in need, garage sales, recycling and finally, the trash.

     Clearing out the clutter does more than beautify a space;  it clears the mind allowing new thoughts, ideas and inspiration to flow in.

     The talents you possess, the knowledge you've gained, the joy you feel, the loving kindness you show in caring for yourself are all meant to be shared. As the song says, "and the world will be a better place".

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 76 - Yielding

      The nature of the Tao can be seen as a paradox.  The hardest things manifest weakness while those things that are flexible and yielding are strong and full of life.  Rigidity, brittleness and hard resolve are weaknesses and stagnations.  In nature that which does not grow, dies.

     So often the higher ways of the Tao run counter to our Western values.  Have our hard lines and opinionated views brought us peace or most importantly, harmony with the nature of the Tao?

     We live on a planet with astounding diversity.  Being willing to listen and respect those whose ways are different from ours, is strength and ultimately will bring us closer to our life-giving Source.

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 75 - Freedom from Restraints

     The Tao that infills us provided us with all that we need to live, thrive and prosper.  That is true of each wondrous creation on the planet.

     And it is enough.  There is no need to grasp, intrude or confiscate that which is another's.  What is best for others is up to them to decide.  Each has been given the gift of discernment whether or not we agree in the manner others chose to live their lives.

     Each finds their own way in their own way The spirit flags when overburdened with rules and restrictions.  The spirit blossoms when free of restraint.

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 74 - Let it Be

     All things have their life span.  The seeds of the 10,000 things have their growth, fruition and demise.  The Tao is all pervasive and infills all.  It lets us complete ourselves in our own way.  Yet we are ever connected to It.

     It is the eternal part of us that does not change, though our bodies do.  Our spirit is infinite and immortal.

     This is true of all of us, no matter how we have chosen to complete ourselves.  When we discard our bodies, our spirits rise to join in the vast oneness of the Tao.  Therefore, all life is sacred.

Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 73

To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven.

      The way of Heaven never hurries or delays.  Like seeds that germinate in darkness, the changes and growth in our souls are hidden.  When our soul blossoms, its manifestations appear as kindness, purity of heart and joy.  Each thought along the journey to fruition carries us along without seeking, striving or trying to make things happen.

     Heaven's way is a way of ease.  Obstacles melt away before we reach them.  The ogre at a distance is a friendly, helpful face when seen up close.

     Lean on Heaven's way.  It is the way of fulfillment.