Just rest

Once there was a man who hated his own shadow.
When he walked and found that his shadow was close behind him, he began to walk faster and faster.

But every time he put his foot down, there was another step, while his shadow kept up with him without the slightest difficulty.

He attributed his failure to the fact that he was not running fast enough.
So he ran faster and faster, without stopping, until he finally dropped dead.


Those who do not understand the Dao are just like this man who hated his shadow. It is actually very easy to be rid of one’s shadow – just rest under a tree.

Just rest.

Chuang Tzu, 369 – 286 BC, Chinese Philosopher

[The Tao or Dao is the natural order of the universe. Health and happiness comes from being in harmony with this natural way]

Sunday Quote: Natural goodness

The sun, too, shines into cesspools, and is not polluted

Diogenes Laertius, 180 – 240 AD, Book VI: The Cynics

What wishes to grow?

Whatever wishes to grow within you —a curiosity, a talent, an interest —

is life seeking its expression through you. Our old desire for comfort, even happiness,

may prove an impediment. We are here a very short time.

Let us make it as luminous and as meaningful as we can.

Time to stop being afraid, and time to show up as yourself.

James Hollis, Living an Examined Life: Wisdom for the Second Half of the Journey

Pack nothing

Another morning and I wake with thirst for the goodness I do not have.

I walk out to the pond and all the way God has given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord, I was never a quick scholar but sulked and hunched over my books past the hour and the bell; grant me, in your mercy, a little more time. Love for the earth and love for you are having such a long conversation in my heart.

Who knows what will finally happen or where I will be sent, yet already I have given a great many things away, expecting to be told to pack nothing, except the prayers which, with this thirst, I am slowly learning.
 

Mary Oliver, Thirst

The simple things

I felt once more how simple and frugal a thing is happiness:

a glass of wine, a roast chestnut, a wretched little brazier, the sound of the sea.

Nothing else.

Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba the Greek

We can begin now

We may need to bid farewell to parts of ourselves rooted in safety but not in truth.

In the end we will only carry the reflection, “did I love well”. This will be the residue that either gladdens or aches our heart. As this year comes to an end, let us honor ourselves and those we love by letting go. We can bring fresh eyes to this moment and birth that which enlivens us. As for loving well, we can begin now. We can fly with the angels as we take ourselves lightly.

Ram Dass