Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 35 - If Your Eye be Single

     If you think about it, this planet Earth is a Garden of Eden.  Every conceivable variety of fruit, flower and plant exists.  Healing and savory herbs, whatever your pleasure, Nature has provided.

     Aside from the natural world, inventions of every kind have been created to ease, delight and make our lives efficient and easier.  It is easy to get caught up in what the world of the 10,000 things dangles in front of us.  But do they, after all, bring lasting peace and lasting joy?

     I have often quoted from the Bible, both Old and New Testaments which aline with the ancient wisdom of the Tao, but other formal religions and beliefs also share concepts as well.  This truth of "your eye being single, then your whole body is full of light", is brought to mind when I read this 35th verse of the Tao Te Ching.

     When we focus on this life giving Presence, all fleeting pleasures of the world pale in comparison to the abiding peace and love found in "keeping our eye single."

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 34 - Flow

     How easy it is to give out of our joy and abundance.   We share with those around us all the blessings we have been given asking nothing in return.  Life gives to us more than measure for measure. In Its opulence It gives to us, "pressed down, shaken together and running over".

     We are the temporary stewards of the riches of Life, entrusted to us to be be used and shared as we recognize we are one and what we give we give to ourselves. The joys we feel are reflected back to us and both of us are blessed.

     Transforming my mind, day by day, thought by thought, I come into the lavish flow of Life, not seeking, but allowing the wisdom within to guide me.

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 33 - Relinquishing Control

  One of the greatest lessons I have learned in this life is you can't control everything; you can only control what goes on in your own head.  By controlling I don't mean stifling thoughts, chastising yourself for errors in judgment or feelings of dismay, anger or any inharmonious emotion.  Letting feelings of this kind have their lifespan of appearing and subsiding allow their natural demise and the return to peace and equilibrium will follow.   

 Let me touch with my heart and mind that calm
 River of Love that flows always and can never be
 diminished.

 Let me breathe in Its air of clarity and                          wisdom which surrounds and infills me to                    guide me to Its peace.

 Let me come home to Its sanctuary of love
 that awaits me through the barriers I erect
 and can open with faith in Its power to redeem.

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 32 - Trusting in the Flow of the Tao

     Often we hear the phrase, "Go with the Flow" or "Let go, let God."  When I first became aware of such concepts, I instinctively knew I had to pay attention.  I was in a place where all effort was seemingly consumed with worry and frustration.  I know I needed relief, an easing of the pressure, but how exactly does one let go and let God and let the flow take place?

     I imagine it is different for everyone but here is what I do to get myself back into that harmonious place where I feel the flow of the beneficent Universe.

     I breathe.  Keeping focus on my breath directs my attention to the flow of air as it fills my lungs and as it leaves my body.  "Breathing in peace, breathing out love.

     I take a walk or if the weather is inclement, I exercise and dance to music.  The sounds and sights of nature remind me of the great care our Source takes with each of Its creations.  I remind myself, I too am one.

     I read inspiring works, words that uplift and give hope and comfort.

    I give thanks.  I enumerate all I am grateful for from the smallest to the largest - the gift of life and the opportunity to grow in wisdom and compassion.

     I show appreciation by giving a smile to a neighbor or friend, a complement, a shared joy, a word of comfort, a sympathetic ear.

     Letting go, letting the flow of Goodness which is ever present brings me to a new place, a place where new possibilities are present, energized by a heart full of hope.

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 31 - Study War No More

     There are all kinds of war.  As a civilization we wage war on hunger, disease, drugs to name a few.  As earnest as our efforts are, these conditions persist.  Why?  I believe because they are out of step with the Tao, Which knows of no war on anything and has no knowledge of hunger or disease or anything untoward.  The Tao flows with love - gently, surely, naturally using no force and giving, giving, giving.

     Our beliefs create our individual worlds.  We can live a life of peace and beauty or we can see enemies everywhere in every voiced opinion or behavior that differs from our own.  We do not have to take up arms to be at war.  War rages within each heart that is closed to the flow of love and the resulting peace.

     A strong nation comes not from the number of weapons it possesses but from the empowerment of its citizens who live in peace because they believe that love is the strongest power of all.

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 30

     What is left to a heart after it battles and contends?  What is left to say when words wound and pierce another's heart?  And what lasting joy can come from a victory where another's peace is broken?

     We are a mirror to each other.  We come from the same loving Source.  When we wound and when we lay waste to another by our words or actions, we wound ourselves and taste the ashes of hollow victory.

     The Way of the Tao is peace.  The only enemy is within ourselves when we harbor hatred and discord.

     Day by day I seek to understand the source of resentments and disquiet within myself.  The need to right petty injustices subsides as I grow in understanding.  There is strength in peace not in domination.  Mastery comes slowly.  Each day a lesson to be learned, gifts of the Tao-based life.

Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 29 - Let It Be

     I plant by the waxing moon.  It is awesome that this phase of the moon encourages growth.  It brings home to me the realization that there is a right time for everything.  Living in harmony with natural laws is honoring the sacredness of Creation, respecting the work of Heaven.

     Why do we seek to control?  Is it a mistrust that what is transpiring before us is not in balance or harmony with our beliefs?  Is it a faithlessness in the Way of Heaven or a conviction that we can right wrongs, control what we perceive is out of step?  Abiding in an internal peace contributes more to the peace of the world right where we are.

     As a plant has a time of growth - flowering, fruitage and demise, the events of our lives and all that concerns us has a time of flourishing and then passing away. The ebb and flow is beautiful and ultimately compassionate as we embrace the Divine perfection of Creation.