Going Astray ...

"Knowing others is wisdom.

Knowing yourself is enlightenment."

Lao Tzu

Longing for wisdom to nourish my body, mind, and spirit, I continuously find myself exploring ancient scribes, spiritual masters, and eclectic wordsmiths. It is not a matter of selecting only those who align with my thought, as I need the challenge of diversity.

New information is slowly processed as often the pertinence is hidden.  There is a need to allow messages to unfold rather than being dismissed. Even when I do not agree, the information has helped to understand the spirit within me.

Accumulating new insight is never enough. I must be able to both learn and apply what is gathered so that I may live by my word. This calling has never led me awry. Granted, there are times I may feel lost, but deep inside I have not gone astray.

 

Silent Shadows

 

"Darkness within darkness. 

The gateway to all understanding."

Lao Tzu

As the sun shines brilliantly upon us, a shadow is also created.  There is no light without the contrast of darkness.  It is within the darkness we can choose to explore, discover, and release to heighten our understanding.

When murkiness begins to descend, let it not be a signal to shut down, but an indicator to become aware of lessons, intuitions, and opportunities.  In spite of feeling the need to be cloistered, it really is a time to foster greater understanding.  

It is within the silent shadows that we become aware of what is restraining us. In the same space, we can be inspired as to what will project us into a life with deeper meaning.  Free will allows us to place our attention upon where we want to grow.

The Hunter or The Prince

 

"A journey of a thousand miles begins

with a single step."

Lao Tzu

We find our lovely selves pleading for Divine Intervention, hoping for a miraculous synchronicity, and seeking the perfect exit off our too busy highway of life. It would be more helpful to direct these thoughts towards personal steps of empowerment.

The need of outside assistance was implanted through childhood stories like Little Red Riding Hood holding out for the hunter.  We were possibly groomed to be the very fine princess immobile in the castle awaiting rescue from the prince.  These, my friends, are just that ... fairytales!

Positive progress is a result of using what is on hand. How about listening to a podcast like END OF THE ROAD by Michael Kokal or watching a video on ENERGY by Lee Harris?  Smooth the rough edges by feeding your soul, not your fear.

Warmth of the Shore

"Water is fluid, soft, and yielding.  But water will

wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield.

As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will 

overcome whatever is rigid and hard.  This is

another paradox:  what is soft is strong."

Lao Tzu

As a coping skill, we develop a hard shell for protection.  Although this may be necessary to keep out the negative, it keeps our radiance inside as well.  Gently flowing water can be compared to the comfort of love washing over our protected heart.  Each wave washes a bit of our hardness away, until our barrier is worn so thin, love begins to seep in.  Love and water has the power to wear down our rough edges and soothe our soul.  Love is like water cleansing our most inner selves.

Love, like the force of a crushing wave, can crack our hearts wide open.  This process of softening is not painless nor always comforting.  Nevertheless, if we diligently go with the flow, our wounds become healed and the risk of being vulnerable seems manageable. 

The act of being rigid and hard is needed only in extreme situations.  Our lives are more fulfilling when we can approach life with an open heart.  With a willingness to experience and learn, we will eventually  avoid currents and safely arrive on the warmth of the shore.