Along the lines of the last post on detours, I read this chapter from the Tao Te Ching today and found it relevant. Hope you do too.
Verse 15
The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.
They were careful
as someone crossing and iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.
Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
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I like it! Like everything else you want to be good at....it all takes practice.
ReplyDeleteThat was lovely and something that I attempt to do daily ;-). xoxo
ReplyDeleteTo Be, IS. The Tao Te Ching isn't something I've read yet. However, it is now on my next to read list. Thank you for sharing these wise thoughts and words. Love and Light, Nina P
ReplyDeleteOh how lovely - thanks for sharing this!!! I must say I finally DO have the patience - it was a "gift" of old age! ha! There aren't many so I'm pleased it showed up!
ReplyDeleteKathy, You are right...everything takes practice...even practice!
ReplyDeleteAnnie, good for you that you attempt this daily! Well done!
Nina, To Be, IS. I love that! You already know the Tao, I can tell by your lovely poems! When you read it, it will no doubt sound familiar!
SuZen, you are right...patience is something I have found later in life. There are some wonderful gifts we get in later life. They sometimes get eclipsed by the other things that show up...like aches and pains! (grin!)
Wonderful and so welcome tonight. I love the words about being unmoving until the right action arises. Do I have the patience? No. But now I have guidance that sitting still and waiting is a right action.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this and for your recent visit to my blog. I appreciate your words and contribution to the conversation about women and happiness!
"Do you have the patience to wait
ReplyDeletetill your mud settles and the water is clear?"
I find myself finding the value of this more and more, especially as the world around me increasingly clamors for instant gratification. Like the rest of you, I suspect it has something to do with my age.
:0)
Lovely post, Diantha. Thank you!
Angela, you are right about age giving us more perspective and wisdom. Too bad our youth obsessed culture can't appreciate the collective wisdom stored in the brains of the elders of the world. Instant gratification is part of this youth culture. Maybe one day this will open up....thanks for checking in!
ReplyDeleteI like this and am practicing it more and more often. Although, I will say that there is an inherent risk in waiting too long. There are times when urgency is required and to wait is to simply let life pass me by.
ReplyDeleteIt's a subtle art that, I believe, is rooted in spirituality and a connectedness with the Divine.
You are right....there are times when sitting still is just not the answer. Discretion is hard won, mostly through experience and age! And like you said, "it's a subtle art that...is rooted in spirituality and a connectedness with the Divine." Well put! When we are both grounded and connected we are more well equipped to make the decision between action, and being receptive.
ReplyDeleteI can be present I'm still trying to accpet and welcome what shows up!
ReplyDeleteTess, well said! You make me laugh....it's so true...we can't control what shows up! Sometimes it's quite a shock! Bless you!
ReplyDeletebeautiful reminder to live in the present and enjoy each precious moment!
ReplyDeleteSema, thank you. It is hard to do! Still working on this myself! xo
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