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.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
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.
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.
Monday, May 2, 2016
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.
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.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Further Thoughts Along the Journey Verse 28 - The Mirror of Heaven
Heaven is in us. It is our heritage from before the world began. The world of the 10.000 things shaped and influenced our thoughts, beliefs, emotions and actions.
It takes a re-education to return to our Source - that gentle and powerful Way that knows our hearts and loves us as we are.
That is the education I have endeavored to re-establish in myself - recognizing and accepting myself as I am, yet trusting that the Way of Heaven is my path: learning virtues that bring no glory, yet give me peace; finding strength in Nature and quietude; finding joy in little moments of beauty and discovery; honoring God in me and in each person and giving with love and compassion.
We are the mirror of Heaven and where we stand is holy ground.
It takes a re-education to return to our Source - that gentle and powerful Way that knows our hearts and loves us as we are.
That is the education I have endeavored to re-establish in myself - recognizing and accepting myself as I am, yet trusting that the Way of Heaven is my path: learning virtues that bring no glory, yet give me peace; finding strength in Nature and quietude; finding joy in little moments of beauty and discovery; honoring God in me and in each person and giving with love and compassion.
We are the mirror of Heaven and where we stand is holy ground.
Sunday, March 27, 2016
Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 27 - The Gift
There is a place for everything. There is a way for everything: a quiet way, a loving way. To glide easily through life, to learn and give and accept is to follow and trust in the Tao, the creative path.
It seems simple, but it is not. If we hold fast to our own ideas, opinions and convictions, we find the road is a bumpy one. Other's ideas and opinions rub us the wrong way, try as we might to be impartial and open to all on all levels.
The path of the sage leads us through the world knowing that all is fluid, creative and beneficent if we can be open to that nonjudgmental state of mind.
That is the way to peace Jesus spoke about, the peace that passeth understanding. I pray on this Easter morning that I can be open to receive this gift that was given with love and at great cost.
It seems simple, but it is not. If we hold fast to our own ideas, opinions and convictions, we find the road is a bumpy one. Other's ideas and opinions rub us the wrong way, try as we might to be impartial and open to all on all levels.
The path of the sage leads us through the world knowing that all is fluid, creative and beneficent if we can be open to that nonjudgmental state of mind.
That is the way to peace Jesus spoke about, the peace that passeth understanding. I pray on this Easter morning that I can be open to receive this gift that was given with love and at great cost.
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Further Thoughts Along the Journey - Verse 26
Spin as you will.
The center holds
a stillness and peace
beyond chaos and clamor.
Return to the sanctuary at
the core of your being
for all that is sane
resides within.
The center holds
a stillness and peace
beyond chaos and clamor.
Return to the sanctuary at
the core of your being
for all that is sane
resides within.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Further Thoughts Along the Journey- Verse 25 - We Come From Greatness
The Tao, the essence of natural law, the nurturing Mother creates perfection. Evidence of this can be seen in the movement of the galaxy, a blade of grass and the sparkle in a child's eye.
When we align with the fact that we come from greatness we align ourselves with every noble inclination of our hearts and with that pervading mindset what follows us and is drawn to us are beauty and greatness of soul.
There is no benefit to the world we live in if we belittle or critisze ourselves. Created with the same perfection that endowed a rose with sweetness and the butterfly a painterly wing, thinking of ourselves and others as part of the greatness of creation lifts the entire race "up where we belong."
When we align with the fact that we come from greatness we align ourselves with every noble inclination of our hearts and with that pervading mindset what follows us and is drawn to us are beauty and greatness of soul.
There is no benefit to the world we live in if we belittle or critisze ourselves. Created with the same perfection that endowed a rose with sweetness and the butterfly a painterly wing, thinking of ourselves and others as part of the greatness of creation lifts the entire race "up where we belong."
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