The Tao and the Lily
THE TAO
AND
THE LILY
This work is dedicated to my Goddess, who I love because She loved me first.
Forward
In many ways, to ask “what is the Tao?” is like asking the question, “what is God?”;
or more correctly, “what is the Spirit of God?”.
To understand the Tao, is to answer this question by experience.
That is to say that there are unique moments in special places in which we are struck by an
awareness that we find so tranquil, so beautiful, and so serene, that we actually experience a
living presence in every part of creation, all at one time. It is an intimate experience,
that gives the understanding, that in God we live and flourish. It is a very real experience
that God is the life that gives renewal to all creation.
Living verses, echo from the heart.
It is often your life and not the authors that give such verses meaning.
This work is loosely, poetically, translated from the ‘TAO’ and various Christian proverbs.
Its goal is to present to modern western readers the essence ‘or spirit’ found within the
great classic of eastern wisdom. There has been no attempt made to produce a
direct correspondence, here there are 77 verses, in the ‘TAO’, 81.
What has been attempted is the faithful expression of the underlying foundation,
the wordless word, the divine embrace,
A lovely flower along a spiritual life path.
Both the flower and the path,
this is Tao.
1
THERE ARE MANY NAMES IN THE WORLD,
BUT THE TRUE NATURE OF THINGS IS NOT IN NAMING.
HOW CAN YOU NAME THE SOURCE OF CREATION?
SO IT IS WRITTEN;
‘THROUGH FAITH WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORLDS WERE FRAMED BY THE WORD OF GOD,
SO THAT THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE MADE FROM THAT WHICH DOES NOT APPEAR’.
THE GREAT SECRET WAITS FOR THE INSIGHT OF EYES UNCLOUDED.
SO IT IS WRITTEN;
‘THE WIND BLOWS WHERE IT WILL,
YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT , YET CANNOT TELL FROM WHERE IT COMES OR WHERE IT GOES;
SO ARE THEY WHICH ARE BORN OF THE SPIRIT’.
THIS IS THE DIVINE.
THIS IS THE TAO.
2
WHEN ONE PROCLAIMS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, OTHER THINGS DIMINISH IN LUSTER.
WHEN A PARENT SAYS “ONE CHILD IS EXCELLING”, ANOTHER CHILD LACKS.
WHAT A VARIETY OF CONTRASTS IS FALLING SNOW AGAINST THE SILHOUETTED TREES.
BEFORE AND AFTER FOLLOW EACH OTHER:
LOW AND HIGH VIEW ONE ANOTHER:
DIFFICULT AND EASY SUPPORT THEIR OTHER.
PITCH AND SOUND MAKE HARMONY.
THEREFORE, THE SAGE’S ACTIVITIES RAISE NO DUST.
IN PASSING THROUGH THE FIELDS, THE SAGE BREAKS NO STALKS.
IN THIS WAY ACTIVITIES TEACH WITHOUT SPEAKING.
THE SAGE ACTS BUT HOLDS NO EXPECTATIONS.
BECAUSE HE TAKES NO CREDIT, CREDIT NEVER LEAVES HIM.
WHEN THE LABOR IS DONE THE SAGE FINISHES THE WORK AND MOVES ON.
THIS IS LIKE THE MOUNTAIN SHELTERING ITS CREATURES, IT IS ETERNAL.
3
IF YOU HEAP PRAISE UPON PRINCES’ THE GARDENER BECOMES MENIAL.
WHEN YOU TREASURE BRIGHT STONES, THIEVES BREAK THROUGH THE DOOR.
THE SAGE LEADS BY TEACHING CHILDLIKE SIMPLICITY.
WHEN AMBITION DEPARTS ARROGANCE WILL ALSO VANISH.
WHEN CRAVINGS ARE NONEXISTENT, THE CRAFTY CEASE TO PLOT.
WHEN SELF RELIANCE IS MATURE, SELF SEEKING WILL VANISH LIKE SMOKE.
LETTING GO OF THE THISTLE ALLOWS THE THORNS TO BE REMOVED.
DO NOT CLUTCH AT WATER AND IT WILL FILL YOUR PICTURE.
4
THE UNARRIVED VISITOR IS LIKE AN OASIS, DRANK FROM IT DOES NOT RUN DRY.
THE UNFLOWN ARROW IS LIKE THE REACHES OF SPACE, FILLED WITH INFINITE POSSIBILITIES.
THE UNDYED FABRIC IS READY TO RECEIVE ANY COLOR.
IN THIS WAY THE HIDDEN IS ALWAYS PRESENT WITH YOU.
WHO GAVE BIRTH TO THE DIVINE?
IS SHE NOT THE MOTHER OF ALL THINGS?
5
THE RAIN DOES NOT CHOOSE THE GRAIN FROM THE BRIAR.
SO IT IS SAID, THE SAGE RESPECTS NONE.
IN THIS WAY BOTH SAINT AND SINNER SEEK REFRESHMENT.
WHAT IS LIKE A BELLOWS?
IT IS EMPTY, YET INFINITELY ABLE TO SUPPLY.
THE MORE YOU USE IT THE MORE IT PRODUCES.
ITS SPEECH IS WITHOUT WORDS.
DRAW UPON THE DIVINE IN THIS SAME MANNER,
BRING FORTH FROM YOUR CENTER.
6
CREATIVITY IS A MOTHER.
IT IS WITHOUT FORM, YET BRINGS FORM FORTH.
IT GIVES BIRTH TO ENDLESS VARIETY.
YOU MAY CARRY IT AROUND YOUR NECK.
IT IS EVER WITH YOU.
IT IS YOURS TO COMMAND.
7
WHAT CAN NEVER DIE?
THAT WHICH HAS NO BIRTH.
WHAT IS PRESENT FOR ALL CREATURES?
THAT WHICH HAS NO DESIRE FOR ITSELF.
THE SAGE STAYS BEHIND, THAT IS WHY THE SAGE IS AHEAD.
DETACHED FROM ALL THINGS THE SAGE POSSES ALL THINGS.
IN LETTING GO OF THE PERSONAL, THE SAGE IS PERFECTLY FULFILLED.
8
A PURE HEART IS LIKE WATER WHICH NOURISHES ALL THINGS WITHOUT TRYING TO:
IT IS CONTENT WITH THE BASE PLACES AND SO IS LIKE THE SEA, FULL OF LIFE.
IN DWELLING, LIVE CLOSE TO THE EARTH, KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS CLEAR AND SIMPLE.
IN CONFLICT BE FAIR AND GENEROUS.
IN LEADERSHIP, DO NOT CONTROL.
IN LABOR, DO WHAT YOU ENJOY.
IN FAMILY LIFE BE COMPLETELY PRESENT.
WHEN YOU NO LONGER MEASURE ALL THINGS AND NO LONGER STRIVE WITH THE WORLD,
ALL WILL RESPECT YOU.
9
OVER SEASONING YOUR MEAL WILL RUIN THE DISH’S SAVOR.
APPLYING TO MUCH COLOR WILL CORRUPT A PAINTING.
STRIVING FOR THE APPROVAL OF OTHERS WILL MAKE YOU THEIR SERVANT.
CHASE AFTER THE WORLD AND YOUR HEART WILL SEIZE.
DO YOUR LABOR UNDER THE SUN, THEN LAY YOUR BURDEN DOWN WITH THANKSGIVING.
IN THIS WAY, YOUR LOT IS CAST TOWARD SERENITY.
10
CAN YOU LOVE PEOPLE AND GUIDE THEM WITHOUT IMPOSITION?
CAN YOU STEP BACK FROM YOURSELF LONG ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND ALL THINGS?
CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN DUALISTIC OPPOSITES
AND SYMMETRICAL BALANCE?
CAN YOU BE ACTIVE IN VITAL MATTERS BY LETTING EVENTS TAKE THEIR COURSE?
HAVING WITHOUT POSSESSING:
ACTING WITHOUT EXPECTATION:
LEADING BY ALLOWING FREEDOM:
GIVING BIRTH AND NOURISHING:
THIS IS SUPREME VIRTUE.
11
WE SHAPE CLAY INTO A POT, THE EMPTINESS INSIDE HOLDS WHATEVER WE WANT.
THE NON-APPEARANCE OF THE GLASS MAKES A WINDOW VALUED.
WE CREATE AND BUILD WITH MATERIAL THINGS, THE INTANGIBLE MATERIAL IS WHAT WE FIND USEFUL.
WE HAMMER WOOD FOR A HOUSE AND THE INNER SPACE MAKES IT LIVABLE.
WE JOIN SPOKES TOGETHER IN A WHEEL, IT TURNS ABOUT THE CENTER HOLE.
SAGES ARE LIKE AN UNCOLORED TAPESTRY, THEIR HEART IS AS OPEN AS THE SKY.
12
SING YOUR SONG INTO THE AIR, YOU WILL FIND IT AGAIN IN THE HEART OF A FRIEND.
HEED WHAT THEY WHO ARE TRULY NOBLE ADMIRE, FOR THEY ADMIRE NOBLE THINGS.
LEARN TO ADMIRE RIGHTLY.
THE SAGE IS PART OF ALL WHOM THEY MEET.
13
SEE THE CREATION AS YOURSELF.
LOVE THE CREATION AS YOURSELF.
HAVE FAITH IN PROVIDENCE, THEN YOU CAN CARE FOR ALL THINGS.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO FEAR WHEN YOU NO LONGER REGARD YOURSELF?
ASPIRATIONS AND DOUBTS BECOME CLOUDS FLOATING UPON THE WIND.
14
GAZING UPON IT, IT DOES NOT APPEAR:
LISTENING FOR IT THERE IS SILENCE:
GRASP FOR IT , AND IT CANNOT BE REACHED.
SUBTLE BEYOND ALL CONCEPTION:
FORM THAT INCLUDES ALL FORMS:
IT RETURNS TO THE UNKNOWN.
YOU CANNOT GRASP THE WIND IN YOUR HAND, BUT YOU CAN BE REFRESHED BY IT.
EMBRACING THE DIVINE SPIRIT IS THE ESSENCE OF WISDOM.
15
SAGES ARE PROFOUND AND SUBTLE, THEY ARE ENDOWED WITH WISDOM.
HOW MAY THEY BE DESCRIBED?
THEY ARE AS CAREFUL AS ONE CROSSING ICE,
ALERT AS A WILD HAWK,
COURTEOUS AS A GUEST,
FLUID AS THE BROOK,
SHAPABLE AS AN UNCARVED BLOCK,
CLEAR AS PURE WATER,
RECEPTIVE AS FERTILE GROUND.
DO YOU HAVE THE PATIENCE TO WAIT FOR THE MUD TO SETTLE TO OBTAIN YOUR WATER?
CAN YOU REMAIN CALM UNTIL THE PROPER COURSE PRESENTS ITSELF?
NOT SEEKING, NOT EXPECTING,
REMAIN HERE AND NOW.
THEN YOU MAY WELCOME ALL THINGS.
16
CLEAR YOUR MIND OF CONJECTURE.
LET YOUR HEART BE AT PEACE.
OBSERVE THE VARIETY OF ALL CREATURES, BUT MEDITATE UPON THEIR COMMON UNION.
EACH SEPARATE AGENT IN THE UNIVERSE REJOINS THE COMMON SOURCE, RETURNING TO THE ORIGIN OF SERENITY.
IF YOU DO NOT REALIZE THE ORIGIN, YOU STUMBLE IN DARKNESS AND DESPAIR.
WHEN YOU REALIZE THE ORIGIN, YOU BECOME IMMERSED IN THE WONDER OF THE DIVINE.
TO BE IMMERSED IN THE WONDER OF THE DIVINE
IS TO PERCEIVE THE SOURCE OF PERFECT VIRTUE.
UNDERSTANDING THE DIVINE, YOU ARE ABLE TO COPE WITH ALL MANNER OF FORTUNE,
AND WHEN DEATH COMES, YOU ARE READY.
17
WHEN THE SAGE GOVERNS, THE PEOPLE ARE BARELY AWARE OF HIS PRESENCE.
NEXT BEST, IS THE LEADER WHO IS LOVED.
THE SAGE DOES NOT SPEAK, HE ACTS.
WHEN THE WORK IS DONE, THE PEOPLE ARE AMAZED, SAYING WE DID IT ALL BY OURSELVES.
IF YOU GIVE PEOPLE TRUST, THEY BECOME TRUSTWORTHY.
TRULY, ALL BY THEMSELVES.
18
EXPRESS YOUR HEART, OPENLY.
THOSE WHO WOULD SCORN, ARE THEMSELVES BASE.
HAVE A FREE FLOW OF CONVERSATION RELATING TO NATURE, THE DIVINE, AND THE ETERNAL VIRTUES.
CONDUCT IS THE ONLY PROOF OF THE SINCERITY OF YOUR HEART.
IT IS NOT THE DISGRACE TO FALL, RATHER, NOT TO RISE AGAIN.
BEARING FRUIT IN HER EVERY DAY WALK, THE SAGE RECEIVES HONOR.
19
WHEN THE DIVINE IS FORGOTTEN, THEN THE LAW APPEARS.
WHEN THE HEARTS VITALITY DECLINES, CLEVERNESS STEPS FORTH.
WHEN A COUNTRY FALLS INTO TUMULT, PATRIOTISM IS BORN.
CAST OFF RITUALS OF HOLINESS AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPIER.
CAST OFF INSTITUTIONS OF JUSTICE AND THE PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS RIGHT.
CAST OFF INDUSTRIOUS PURSUITS AND THE PEOPLE WILL BE FILLED.
KEEP TO THE CENTER, AND ALL THINGS WILL FOLLOW THEIR NATURAL COURSE.
20
WHAT A FOOL I MUST BE TO ASK, WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A THING,
WHAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT;
WHAT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FAILURE AND SUCCESS.
IS WHAT OTHERS VALUE, TRULY VALUABLE?
MUST ONE AVOID WHAT OTHERS AVOID?
OTHERS GO ABOUT THE WORLDS BUSINESS WITH SUCH EARNEST.
IS IT I ALONE, WHO DOES NOT CARE?
OTHERS GAIN NOTORIETY AND SECURITY.
IS IT I ALONE NOT SEEKING POSSESSIONS?
I DRIFT LIKE A WAVE ON THE OCEAN.
I FLOAT LIKE A CLOUD ON THE WIND.
I AM DIFFERENT FROM ORDINARY PEOPLE.
MY SUSTENANCE COMES FROM THE GREAT MOTHERS BREAST.
21
THE SAGE KEEPS THE MIND ALWAYS AT ONE WITH THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.
THIS GIVES THE SAGE RADIANCE.
THIS IS UNGRASPABLE TRUTH:
HOW CAN THE MIND BE AT ONE WITH THIS?
BECAUSE THE SAGE DOES NOT CLING TO CONJECTURE.
THIS IS A MYSTERY, SHROUDED AND UNFATHOMABLE:
HOW CAN IT MAKE ONE RADIANT?
BECAUSE THE SAGE LETS IT.
THE DIVINE REMAINS BEYOND CATEGORIES,
BEYOND TIME AND SPACE.
HOW DOES THE SAGE KNOW THIS?
LOOK INSIDE YOURSELF AND SEE.
22
WHEN CRISIS COMES TO YOU, FIND SHELTER IN THE DIVINE.
SHUT OUT EVERY OTHER CONSIDERATION.
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.
REMOVE YOURSELF FROM CONVICTIONS:
REMOVE YOURSELF FROM CREEDS:
LET LIFE BE A CONTINUAL, GOING OUT, IN DEPENDENCE ON THE DIVINE
IN THIS WAY THE SAGE LEADS A CHARMED LIFE.
23
EXPRESS YOURSELF COMPLETELY, THEN BE SILENT.
IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE, THEN PEOPLE CAN TRUST YOUR WORDS.
BE LIKE THE FORCES OF NATURE.
WHEN IT BLOWS THERE IS ONLY WIND,
WHEN IT RAINS THERE IS ONLY RAIN.
WHEN THE CLOUDS PASS, THE SUN SHINES.
IF YOU OPEN YOURSELF TO INSIGHT, YOU ARE ONE WITH INSIGHT;
THEN YOU CAN USE IT COMPLETELY.
IF YOU OPEN YOURSELF TO ADVERSITY, YOU CAN ACCEPT IT COMPLETELY:
ALLOWING TRANSFORMATION.
BECAUSE THE SAGE KNOWS NOT, SELF SEEKING DESIRE,
PEOPLE RECOGNIZE THEMSELVES IN HER.
BECAUSE THE SAGE HAS NO GOAL IN MIND,
EVERYTHING SHE DOES SUCCEEDS.
24
THOSE WHO STAND ON THEIR TOES DO NOT STAND FIRM.
THOSE WHO RUSH AHEAD DO NOT GO THE LONG DISTANCE.
THOSE WHO DISTINGUISH THEMSELVES,
LIMIT KNOWING THEMSELVES COMPLETELY.
THOSE WHO CLING TO THEIR WORKS WILL CREATE NOTHING THAT ENDURES.
IF YOU WANT TO ACCORD WITH THAT WHICH IS BLESSED,
JUST DO YOUR LABORS, THEN LET GO.
25
IF YOU LET RESTLESSNESS MOVE YOU, YOU LOSE TOUCH WITH YOUR CENTER.
IF YOU LET YOURSELF BE BLOWN TO AND FRO, YOU LOSE TOUCH WITH YOUR ROOT.
WHY SHOULD THE PRINCE SCURRY ABOUT LIKE A FOOL?
THUS THE SAGE TRAVELS ALL DAY WITHOUT LEAVING HOME.
HOWEVER WONDROUS THE PANORAMA,
AN OASIS LIES WITHIN.
26
VOWS AND RESOLUTIONS WILL END IN DENIAL.
INSTEAD, WAIT FOR THE DIVINE TO BRING A THING TO PASS.
SCRIPTURE REMAINS JUST SO MANY WORDS,
UNTIL THE LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT SHINES WITHIN.
YOU CANNOT FOLLOW THE SAINT IF YOU DO NOT FIRST KNOW YOURSELF.
IF YOU WOULD APPROACH THE DIVINE, GET RID OF PRECONCEPTION.
WHEN A SAGE EMBRACES THE DIVINE,
IT IS BY THE MOST SIMPLE WAY.
27
A GOOD ADVENTURE HAS NO FIXED PLAN.
IT EXISTS IN THE JOURNEY MORE THAN THE ARRIVAL.
A SKILLED ARTISAN LETS THE INTUITION GUIDE THE CREATIVE HAND.
FOR THIS REASON THE SAGE IS WITHIN REACH OF ALL PEOPLE,
AND DOES NOT DISMISS ANYONE.
FINDING ALL SITUATIONS OF LIFE’S PROVIDENCE USEFUL, THE SAGE WASTES NOTHING.
THIS IS HARMONY WITH LIFE’S COURSE.
IS NOT A GOOD MAN, SIMPLY A BAD MANS TEACHER?
IS NOT A BAD MAN, SIMPLY A GOOD MANS EMPLOY?
THIS IS THE PAINTING UPON LIFE’S CANVASS.
28
THE CREATOR FASHIONS THE WORLD LIKE A SCULPTURE FROM A BLOCK OF WOOD.
THE SAGE KNOWS THE SCULPTURE, YET KEEPS TO THE BLOCK;
READY TO EMPLOY IN WONDROUS VARIETY.
YOU RECEIVE BLESSINGS, BUT DO YOU KNOW THE SOURCE?
WHENEVER YOU RECEIVE A BLESSING FROM THE DIVINE,
GIVE IT BACK, AS A GIFT OF LOVE.
IF YOU ACCEPT LIFE’S TERMS YOUR BURDEN WILL BE LIGHT.
IF YOU ARE A PATTERN TO THE WORLD, YOU WILL BE IN ACCORD.
THE SAGE WHO IS INTIMATE WITH THE DIVINE, LEAVES NO IMPRESSION OF HIMSELF.
THE DAWN BRINGS FORTH LIGHT, THIS IS ITS NATURE.
BETWEEN THE MALE AND THE FEMALE,
ARE THE LITTLE CHILDREN.
29
IN WHAT WAY CAN NATURE BE IMPROVED UPON?
THE CREATION IS SACRED, WHO CAN IMPROVE IT?
IF AN ARTISAN BRINGS PRESSURE TO BEAR, THE ARTWORK WILL BE MARRED.
IF YOU ARE INDIFFERENT TO BEAUTY, YOU WILL NOT POSSESS IT.
THE SAGE UNDERSTANDS THAT YOU CANNOT PUT THE WIND IN A BOTTLE.
THE SAGE UNDERSTANDS THAT THERE IS A SEASON FOR ALL THINGS.
THE SAGE KNOWS THAT A RIVER CANNOT BE CONFINED, RATHER
EVERY DAM HAS ITS OUTLET.
THE SAGE VIEWS THE WORLD AS IT IS, WITHOUT RESORTING TO MANIPULATIONS.
THUS THE SAGE RESIDES AT THE CENTER OF LIFE’S CIRCLE.
30
THE SAGE COMPLETES THE TASK, AND THEN IS FINISHED.
A SAGE UNDERSTANDS THAT IMPOSING THE WILL, WILL NOT CONTROL PROVIDENCE.
BECAUSE THE SAGE FIRST TENDS TO THE FIELD OF HER OWN HOUSE, THE WORLD COMES TO HER DOOR.
BECAUSE SHE ACCEPTS HERSELF, THE WHOLE WORLD ACCEPTS HER.
DO NOT USE VIOLENCE, FOR IT WILL TURN UPON YOU OWN SELF.
TO DEFEAT AN ENEMY, MAKE YOURSELF A FRIEND.
31
WEAPONS ARE TOOLS OF VIOLENCE;
ALL DECENT MEN DETEST THEM.
ONCE THE SICKLE HAS BEEN PUT FORTH,
CAN THE CANE RISE AGAIN?
ONCE THE VESSEL HAS BEEN BROKEN,
CAN IT BEAR WATER?
HOW GREAT AN INFERNO, CAN A LITTLE FIRE KINDLE?
IF PEACE IS SHATTERED, WHO CAN BE CONTENT?
THE JUST DO NOT REJOICE IN THE SLAUGHTER OF MEN.
THE TRUE PATRIOT ENTERS A BATTLE GRAVELY,
WITH SORROW AND COMPASSION,
AS ONE GOING TO A FUNERAL.
33
THE WONDER OF NATURE CANNOT BE GRASPED.
INFINITIES UPON INFINITIES,
ETERNITIES UPON ETERNITIES.
WHO CAN KNOW IT?
IF GOVERNORS COULD REMAIN CENTERED IN THE DIVINE,
ALL THINGS WOULD BE IN ACCORD;
ALL WOULD BE AT PEACE,
AN PARADISE WOULD BLOSSOM AS THE ROSE.
HOW IS THIS?
BECAUSE THAT WHICH IS JUSTICE,
WOULD BE WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS.
ALL THINGS COME AND PASS.
ALL RHYME ENDS IN THE UNWRITTEN POEM,
AS RIVERS FLOW TO THE SEA.
34
TRUE WEALTH COMES WITH THE SUN AND RAIN.
A WARM HEART COMES FROM HUMAN KINDNESS.
WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE ENOUGH,
THEN YOU BECOME TRULY RICH.
SIMPLE CONTENTMENT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR SOLD.
IF YOU KEEP TO LIFE’S CENTER,
REGARDING EACH DAY AS YOUR LAST,
YOU WILL ENDURE FOREVER.
35
DO NOT SERVE WINE WHILE IT IS YET NEW,
ITS QUALITY IMPROVES WITH PATIENCE.
IF YOU TRY TO RUSH THE HARVEST,
YOU RISK THE RUIN OF WHAT WAS ALMOST RIPE.
RUSHING INTO ACTION, OR FORCING A PROJECT TO COMPLETION,
MAY RESULT IN FAILURE.
THEREFORE TAKE ACTION BY LETTING THINGS TAKE THEIR NATURAL COURSE.
REMAIN AS CALM AT THE END AS AT THE BEGINNING.
CARING ABOUT NOTHING BUT THE DIVINE,
YOU CAN CARE FOR ALL THINGS.
36
SWEET MUSIC MAY MAKE ONE STOP AND ENJOY ITS PLEASURE.
BUT WORDS THAT SPEAK OF THE UNSPOKEN TONGUE,
SEEM MONOTONOUS.
DETAILED TAPESTRIES ARE ADMIRED,
BUT WORDS THAT DETAIL THE UNDYED CLOTH,
LACK LUSTER.
POINTING TO THIS, THERE IS NOTHING TO SEE.
LISTENING FOR THIS, THERE IS NOTHING TO HEAR.
BRING THIS TO BEAR, AND THERE IS UNLIMITED APPLICATION.
THUS, THE SAGE WHO IS CENTERED IN LIFE’S CIRCLE CAN JOURNEY WITHOUT DANGER.
THE SAGE PERCEIVES THE UNIVERSAL HARMONY EVEN AMID GREAT PAIN.
THIS IS CALLED PEACE OF HEART.
37
THE ROOT OF THE YOUNG SAPLING CAN BREAK STONE.
RAIN AND WIND CAN WEAR AWAY THE MOUNTAIN.
THUS THE SOFT OVERCOMES THE HARD.
OFTEN, TO KEEP SOMETHING, YOU MUST FIRST GIVE IT AWAY.
IF YOU WOULD LOVE SOMEONE, SET THEM FREE.
THIS IS CALLED SUBTLE PERCEPTION.
LET YOUR ENDEAVORS BE IN ACCORD WITH THIS MYSTERY.
JUST SHOW PEOPLE THE RESULTS.
38
LOOK WITHIN,
THERE ARE HIGHER PEAKS THAN THE HIGHEST OF MOUNTAINS.
GREATER DEPTHS THAN THE DEEPEST SEA.
ALLOW THE DIVINE SPIRIT TO WORK MYSTICAL WORKS IN THE FARTHEST REACHES OF YOUR SOUL.
IF YOU ALLOW YOUR MIND TO DWELL IN THE GREAT TRUTHS OF THE ETERNAL,
A GLORY LIKE THE DAWN SHALL RISE IN YOUR HEART, AND AS THE VASTNESS OF THE OCEAN, SHALL BE YOUR INTEGRITY.
IN THIS WAY, THE ONLY IMPRESSION LEFT BY THE SAINT,
IS THE GOLDEN LIGHT AND THE CALM STRENGTH OF THE DIVINE.
39
THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS DOING THINGS, LEAVE MANY THINGS TO BE DONE.
THOSE WHO KEEP REACHING FOR POWER,
NEVER HAVE ENOUGH.
WHEN THE DIVINE IS LOST, THERE IS GOODNESS.
WHEN GOODNESS IS LOST, THERE IS MORALITY.
WHEN MORALITY IS LOST, THERE IS RITUAL.
RITUAL IS THE HUSK OF TRUE FAITH,
AND THE BEGINNING OF CONFUSION.
SO IT IS SAID,
THE SAGE CONCERNS HERSELF WITH THE FRUIT,
OVER AND ABOVE THE FLOWER.
SHE HAS NO WILL OF HER OWN,
THUS,
SHE DWELLS IN REALITY AND LETS ILLUSIONS GO.
THE SAGE DOES NOT STRIVE FOR POWER,
THUS,
SHE IS TRULY POWERFUL.
40
WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE IN HARMONY WITH THE DIVINE,
THE SKY IS CLEAR AND SPACIOUS,
THE EARTH IS FIRM AND BOUNTIFUL;
ALL CREATION FLOURISHES TOGETHER,
AND ALL IS IN ENDLESS RENEWAL.
WHEN THE PEOPLE BREAK WITH THIS HARMONY,
THE SKY BECOMES CHOKED;
THE EARTH DEPLETED,
CREATURES PERISH.
THE SAGE VIEWS ALL PARTS WITH COMPASSION,
BECAUSE HE UNDERSTANDS THE WHOLE.
BECAUSE HER CONSTANT PRACTICE IS HUMILITY,
SHE DOES NOT GLITTER LIKE A JEWEL.
SHE LETS LETS HERSELF BE SHAPED BY THE NATURAL HARMONY.
THE SAGE IS AS COMMON AND RUGGED AS A STONE.
41
THE UNJUST BORROW WITH NO THOUGHT OF REPAYING.
THE JUST GIVE FREELY, WITH NO THOUGHT OF ASKING AGAIN.
OBSERVE THE BLAMELESS,
FOR THE WAY OF THE SAINT IS PEACE.
THE JUST IS NOT FORSAKEN.
ALL OF CREATION WAITS UPON HER.
REST IN THE DIVINE,
THEN IF YOU FAIL YOU MAY RISE UP AGAIN.
COMMIT YOUR WAYS TO THE SPIRIT,
WAIT AND IT WILL COME TO PASS.
42
INFINITY GIVES BIRTH TO ONE.
ONE GIVES BIRTH TO TWO.
TWO GIVES BIRTH TO THREE.
THREE GIVES BIRTH TO INFINITY.
ALL THINGS EXIST BETWEEN THE MALE AND THE FEMALE.
WHEN FEMALE AND MALE JOIN,
ALL THINGS ACHIEVE HARMONY.
THE UNLEARNED HATE SOLITUDE,
BUT THE SAGE MAKES USE OF IT.
ALTHOUGH THE SAGE MAY BE ALONE,
SHE IS ONE WITH THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.
43
THE VOICE OF THE DIVINE IS NOT A CALL TO ANY PARTICULAR SERVICE.
THE VOICE IS EXPRESSIVE OF THE DIVINE NATURE.
SERVE THE DIVINE IN THE ORDINARY WAYS OF LIFE.
THE DIVINE IS FOUND IN DOING THE SIMPLE THINGS.
SEARCH THEM AND YOU WILL FIND INSPIRATION THERE.
IF YOU FEEL INTUITIVELY THAT YOU MUST DO A THING,
BECOME THE TASK AT HAND,
IN THIS WAY THE SAGE DOES HER OCCUPATION COMPLETELY.
THE COMMON WOMAN HEARS ONLY HER OWN CONCERNS.
SHE WHO HEARS THE DIVINE,
DOES NOT REMAIN COMMON.
44
BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE,
REJOICE IN THE WAY THINGS ARE.
STRIVE FOR THE MAGIC OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE.
WHEN YOU REALIZE THERE IS NO THING LACKING,
THE WHOLE WORLD BELONGS TO YOU.
IN THIS WAY THE SAGE TEACHES WITHOUT WORDS,
AND PERFORMS WITHOUT ACTIONS.
45
TRUE PERFECTION OFTEN SEEMS IMPERFECT,
YET IS PERFECTLY ITSELF.
TRUE FULLNESS SEEMS EMPTY,
YET IS PERFECTLY PRESENT.
ALLOWING THINGS TO TAKE THEIR COURSE,
THE SAGE FASHIONS EVENTS AS THEY COME.
STEPPING OUT OF THE WAY,
THE SAGE LETS PROVIDENCE SPEAK FOR ITSELF.
46
THERE IS NO GREATER SPECTER THAN FEAR,
NO GREATER MISFORTUNE THAN HAVING AN ENEMY;
NO GREATER WRONG THAN PREPARING TO DEFEND YOURSELF.
WHO CAN SEE THROUGH ALL FEAR?
THERE IS NO GREATER SAFETY.
THE PLOW WILL ENDURE LONG AFTER THE SWORD HAS PERISHED.
47
THE MORE ONE STRIVES TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE,
THE MORE QUESTIONS ARISE.
THE MORE ONE STRIVES TO ACHIEVE, THE MORE THERE IS TO DO.
THE SAGE IS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, HER PRESENCE ALONE ACHIEVES,
WITHOUT DOING A THING.
THE SAGE IS AS THE ARRIVAL OF A FRIEND, OF WHOM THE APPEARANCE, IS ITSELF A JOY.
TRUE MASTERY IS NOT GAINED THROUGH PURSUITS.
ALLOWING GOD THE CONTROL OF PROVIDENCE,
LESS AND LESS,
DO YOU NEED TO FORCE THINGS.
WHEN LITTLE IS DONE, LITTLE IS LEFT UNDONE.
WITHOUT OPENING YOUR DOOR, YOU CAN OPEN YOUR HEART TO THE WORLD.
48
THE MIND OF THE SAGE IS AS THE OPEN SKY.
PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT.
THEY LOOK AND WAIT, LIKE A MOTHERS CHILDREN.
THUS IT APPEARS THE SHE HAS NO MIND OF HER OWN,
RATHER,
SHE WORKS WITH THE MIND OF THE PEOPLE.
LIKE THE SUN AND THE RAIN,
THE SAGE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL PEOPLE,
THUS, PERFECTION IS SEEN.
49
AS THE FIRE BURNS THE WOODS SO DO THE DRUNKEN FILL THEIR FACES WITH SHAME.
HE WHO TROUBLES HIS OWN HOUSE WILL INHERIT THE WIND.
KNOW WHO YOU ARE AS A PERSON.
TRUST YOUR INTUITION.
LIVE FULLY IN THE PRESENT.
THE DIVINE CANNOT BE DEFINED,
BUT IT MAY BE KNOWN.
BE IN HARMONY WITH THE DIVINE.
NO GOOD THING IS WITHHELD FROM THE UPRIGHT IN HEART,
AND THEY WHO SPEAK TRUTH,
SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOREVER.
50
IF YOU OBSERVE SUCCESS AND FAILURE,
YOU CREATE COMPETITION AND ENVY.
COMPETITION AND ENVY CREATE JEALOUSY AND GREED.
IF YOU OBSERVE RELIGIOUS MERIT,
YOU CREATE PRIDE AND HYPOCRISY.
RITUAL IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR COMPASSION.
THE SAINT DOES NOT MAKE A SHOW OF HOLINESS.
LISTENING TO THE INNER VOICE CREATES BALANCE.
UNBALANCED, AN INDIVIDUAL ACTS AGAINST THE NATURE OF THE DIVINE.
EFFECTIVE ACTION ARISES OUT OF SILENCE AND A CLEAR SENSE OF BEING.
51
TRUE WORDS ARE NOT ALWAYS ELOQUENT;
ELOQUENT WORDS ARE NOT ALWAYS TRUE.
THE SAINT DOES NOT NEED THEM TO PROVE HER POINT.
THOSE WHO ARE COMPELLED TO PROVE THEIR POINT,
ARE OFTEN NOT WISE.
THE SAGE DOES NOT GRASP FOR POSSESSIONS,
HER HAPPINESS COMES FROM SERVING;
HER WEALTH FROM GIVING.
IN THIS WAY SHE IS LIKE THE DIVINE,
NOURISHING BY NOT FORCING.
BY NOT DOMINATING, HER WISDOM IS REVEALED.
52
FAILURE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN WISDOM.
A PROBLEMS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SOLUTION.
IF YOU CONTINUE TO BLAME OTHERS FOR YOUR MISFORTUNE,
THERE WILL BE NO END TO THE BLAME.
IF YOU QUIT ACCUSATIONS, STRIFE WILL CEASE.
FACE PROVIDENCE ON ITS OWN TERMS.
FULFILL YOUR OWN OBLIGATIONS,
CORRECT YOUR OWN MISTAKES,
DO WHAT IS NEEDFUL,
DEMAND NOTHING.
IN THIS WAY THE SAINT IS AS A ROCK,
UNMOVABLE,
EVEN IN A TURBULENT SEA.
53
IF A PEOPLE SEEK AFTER PEACE, THEY WILL ENJOY PEACE.
THEY WILL HAVE PLEASURE, IN THEMSELVES,
IN THEIR FAMILIES, AND IN THEIR COMMUNITY.
THEY WILL ENJOY THEIR WORK AND NOT CHASE AFTER AMBITIONS OF POWER AND WEALTH.
THEY WILL NOT TRADE THE COMFORTS OF HOME AND HEARTH FOR CONVENIENCE.
THEY WILL NOT VALUE MACHINES ABOVE THEIR GARDENS,
OR CITIES ABOVE THE FORESTS.
AND THOUGH THEIR MAY BE AN ARSENAL OF WEAPONS,
NO ONE WILL EVER USE THEM.
54
NO ONE LIVES TO THEMSELVES ALONE,
NO ACTION IS WITHOUT RESPONSE.
IF YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO DISREGARD THE DIVINE,
ALL OF CREATION SUFFERS.
IF YOU SCORN A PURE HEART,
YOU YOURSELF WILL BEAR THE PAIN.
DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR SOUL,
DO NOT DESPISE THE CHASTENING OF THE DIVINE,
OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD.
IF YOU ENDURE, YOU WILL BE KNOWN AS THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM.
THUS, THE SAINT IS AS BROKEN BREAD AND POURED OUT WINE.
55
THE SOFT OVERCOMES THE HARD;
THE GENTLE OVERCOMES THE RIGID.
ALL PEOPLE KNOW THIS IS TRUE,
YET FEW CAN PUT IT INTO PRACTICE.
WHAT IS AS SOFT AND AS YIELDING AS WATER?
IT OVERCOMES THE FIRM AND DISSOLVES THE INFLEXIBLE.
NOTHING CAN SURPASS IT, YET IT SEEKS THE LOWEST PLACE.
THUS, THE SAGE REMAINS SERENE IN THE MIDST OF ADVERSITY.
BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT STRIVE TO PROVE HER HELPFULNESS,
SHE IS THE GREATEST HELP.
BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT MAKE HERSELF A JUDGE,
EVIL DOES NOT PENETRATE HER HEART.
56
AFTER THE JOURNEY OF ONE THOUSAND MILES,
YOU REMAIN ON TOP OF YOUR FEET.
AFTER THE LIFE OF ONE THOUSAND YEARS,
YOU REMAIN IN THE PRESENT.
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW,
THE ETERNAL EXISTS.
REGARD DEATH AS YOUR TEACHER,
INSTRUCTING YOU ON THE VALUE OF LIFE.
IF YOU RESPECT DEATH AT EVERY MOMENT,
YOU WILL LIVE IN THE HERE AND NOW.
THUS, THE SAGE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE SPECTER OF DEATH,
BEARS WITH IT A LAMP SHINING THE LIGHT OF ETERNITY.
IF ONLY YOU WOULD AWAKE FROM YOUR SLEEP.
57
PEOPLE ARE BORN SOFT AND SUPPLE;
DEAD THEY ARE STIFF AND HARD.
THE GREEN PLANTS ARE PLIANT AND BENDING;
DEAD THEY ARE INFLEXIBLE AND BRITTLE.
THE WILLOW SURVIVES THE STRONGEST WIND
BY YIELDING TO ITS FORCE.
IN THE GALE THE DRY TREE FALLS.
THE HARD AND STIFF WILL BE BROKEN.
THE SUPPLE AND TENDER WILL PREVAIL.
THUS, IT IS SAID,
WHOEVER IS RIGID AND UNYIELDING IS A DISCIPLE OF DEATH;
WHOEVER IS PLIABLE, SOFT AND TENDER IS A DISCIPLE OF LIFE.
58
THE DIVINE IS LIKE THE BENDING OF A BOW,
IT HARMONIOUSLY ADJUSTS BETWEEN THE EXCESS AND DEFICIENT.
THE TOP IS BENT DOWNWARD, THE BOTTOM UPWARD.
IN THIS WAY THERE IS PERFECT BALANCE.
IT TAKES FROM WHAT IS IN EXCESS,
AND GIVES TO THAT WHICH LACKS.
THOSE WHO WOULD USE FORCE TO CONTROL,
GO AGAINST THE DIVINE.
THEY TAKE FROM THOSE WHO LACK,
AND GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE FAR TO MUCH.
THE SAINT CAN KEEP GIVING’
BECAUSE THERE IS NO LIMIT TO HER CHARITY.
SHE ACTS WITHOUT EXPECTATION, SUCCEEDS WITHOUT TAKING CREDIT.
SHE DOES NOT JUDGE HERSELF BETTER THAN HER FELLOWS.
59
CREATIVITY OFTEN BEGINS WITH PAIN,
AND IS OFTEN DANGEROUS.
THE CREATIVE INDIVIDUAL RISKS REJECTION AND DISPROVAL.
CREATIVITY IS THE OPPOSING FORCE AGAINST DIFFICULTY.
IT IS A FRESH VITALITY AGAINST THE WORN AND RIGID.
IT IS PARTAKING OF THE CREATOR.
ITS JOY IS NOT THE COMFORT OF THE CALM HARBOR,
RATHER, THE OPEN SAIL AND A STAR TO STEER BY.
60
THE UNWISE OFTEN INFLICT PAIN,
WHEN THEY IMPULSIVELY RESPOND OUT OF ANGER AND FEAR.
CAN ANGER BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR KNOWLEDGE;
OR VIOLENCE, A DEFENSE AGAINST TRUTH?
SO IT IS SAID,
THOUGH A MAN GO OUT TO BATTLE A THOUSAND TIMES AGAINST A THOUSAND MEN,
IF HE CONQUERS HIMSELF,
HE IS THE GREATER CONQUEROR.
61
THE HEAVENS ARE TELLING OF THE GLORY OF GOD;
THEIR EXPANSE, DECLARING THE WORK OF HIS HANDS.
DAY TO DAY POURS FORTH COMMUNICATION,
AND NIGHT TO NIGHT REVEALS KNOWLEDGE.
THERE IS NO TALK, NOR ARE THEIR WORDS;
THEIR VOICE IS NOT HEARD.
THEIR LINE HAS GONE OUT THROUGH ALL THE EARTH,
AND THEIR UTTERANCES
TO THE END OF THE WORLD.
62
CAN YOU BE CONTENT WITHOUT FIRST KNOWING YOURSELF?
THE GREAT OBSTACLE TO BEING ON GOOD TERMS WITH OTHERS
IS ILL EASE WITH ONESELF.
THE GEM CANNOT BE POLISHED WITHOUT FRICTION,
NOR MAN PERFECTED WITHOUT TRIALS.
AS SOON AS YOU TRUST YOURSELF
YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO LIVE.
63
THE SAINT KNOWS THE SECRET OF THE BURNING HEART.
THE DIVINE APPEARS, WE HAVE WONDERFUL VISIONS;
THEN THE MYSTERY IS GONE.
THE SPIRIT BLOWS
AND IS STILL.
MUCH DISTRESS COMES
NOT BECAUSE OF WRONGDOING,
BUT BECAUSE OF IGNORANCE OF OUR OWN NATURE.
THE COMMONPLACE DAY, WITH COMMONPLACE DUTIES
DROWNS THE BURNING HEART UNLESS WE
HAVE LEARNED THE SECRET OF ABIDING IN THE DIVINE.
IF THE SPIRIT OF THE DIVINE MOVES YOU,
MAKE AS MANY THINGS PLAIN AS POSSIBLE;
LET THE OUTCOME BE.
64
PURITY IS NOT INNOCENCE;
IT IS SOMETHING MORE.
PURITY IS THE OUTCOME OF RETAINED HARMONY
WITH THE DIVINE.
DETACHMENT FROM THAT WHICH IS STAINED,
IS ACHIEVED BY SINGLENESS OF SIGHT;
EYES UPON THE LIGHT OF THE DIVINE WHICH SHINES THROUGH ALL THINGS.
GRACE IS NOT MEASURED BY NEVER FALLING;
RATHER, A GIFT OF INSIGHT INTO WHERE YOU STAND
IN RELATION TO THE DIVINE.
THE TAO REMAINS SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
UNTIL WE GET TO THAT PLACE
WHERE GOD MAY REVEAL IT.
65
A MAN CAN BEAR THE BURDENS OF JUST ONE DAY.
WHO CAN STAND UNDER THE BURDENS OF
YESTERDAY AND TOMMOROW?
THE COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN BY THE SAGE,
IS NOT STRIVING TO SEE THAT WHICH LIES DIMLY
IN THE DISTANCE;
BUT TO DO THAT WHICH LIES CLEARY AT HAND.
ACORNS DO NOT BECOME OAKS OVERNIGHT.
AWARENESS, IS THE FIRST STEP TOWARD VICTORY.
67
IF YOU WOULD BE READY TO FACE THE DIVINE,
STOP BEING RELIGIOUS.
BE SPIRITUALLY REAL.
DO NOT STRIVE TO AVIOD SIN OR CIRCUMSTANCE.
STRIVE AGAINST BEING SO ABSORBED IN WORK THAT YOU ARE NOT READY TO FACE THE DIVINE AT EVERY TURN.
SERVICE IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING,
RATHER, SPIRITUAL REALITY.
NOT EVEN THE FINEST SAINT IS TO BE TRUSTED,
IF HE HINDERS YOUR SIGHT OF THE DIVINE.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING OFF TO THE DIVINE;
AVOIDING THE CALL OF THE RELIGIOUS AGE YOU LIVE IN,
YOU WILL BE CALLED UNPRACTICAL AND DREAMY.
YET,
WHEN THE DIVINE UNEXPECTEDLY APPEARS,
YOU WILL BE THE ONLY ONE
WHO IS READY.
68
THE GLORY OF FRIENDSHIP IS
NOT IN THE OUTSTRECHED HAND,
NOR THE KINDLY SMILE,
NOR THE JOY OF COMANIONSHIP.
IT IS THE SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION THAT COMES TO ONE WHEN SHE DISCOVERS
THAT SOMEONE ELSE BELIEVES IN HER,
AND IS WILLING TO TRUST HER.
TO MAKE RELIGION AKIN TO FRIENDSHIP IS SIMPLY TO GIVE IT THE HIGHEST EXPRESSION CONCEIVABLE.
LET THE PURPOSE OF ALL MARRIAGES AND ALL FRIENDSHIPS ALIKE;
BE THE DEEPENING OF THE SPIRIT,
AND THE ENRICHMENT OF THE SOUL.
69
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN WHICH BURDENS YOU BEAR.
NEVER BEAR THE BURDEN OF DOUBT AND FEAR.
THERE ARE BURDENS PLACED UPON US BY THE DIVINE.
ROLL THEM BACK ON THE SPIRIT.
COMMIT TO GOD, THOSE BURDENS SHE HAS GIVEN YOU;
DO NOT THROW THEM OFF.
NEVER DISASSOCIATE YOURSELF FROM THE BURDEN;
GIVE YOURSELF AND IT TO HER.
BE DARING WITH THE DIVINE.
THROUGH CLEARLY EXPRESSING YOUR DISSATISFACTIONS AND DOUBTS, YOU MAY RECEIVE UNDERSTANDING.
THE BURDEN GOD PLACES
CRUSHES THE GRAPES AND OUT COMES THE WINE;
THE UNWISE SEE THE WINE ONLY.
70
ALL THINGS ARE BORN OF BEING,
WHILE BEING IS BORN OF ITS MOTHERS POTENTIAL.
RETURNING TO THE SOURCE IS THE MOVEMENT OF THE DIVINE HARMONY.
YIELDING IS THE WAY OF THE ALL POWERFUL.
THUS IT IS SAID,
NATURE IS THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST.
71
THE UNSEEING VIEWS THE EFFECT AS THE CAUSE.
WHEN THE DIVINE COMES,
THOUGH YOU KNOW NOT HOW,
EMBRACE HER.
THE SOULS CARE WITHIN THE DIVINE,
DOES NOT STAND ON LOGIC.
BY MIRACLE,
THE TAO BECOMES NATURAL.
EFFORT IS PRESUMPTUOUSNESS;
WALK WITH THE DIVINE
AND YOU SHALL HAVE VISION AND PURPOSE.
WHEN THE SAGE LOOKS AT A THING
SHE SEES PLAINLY AND DIRECTLY.
IN THIS WAY NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM HER.
72
OPINIONS OF OUR OWN MAKE US UNWISE,
WHEN WE ARE SIMPLE WE ARE NEVER UNWISE,
WE DISCERN ALL THE TIME.
THE MYSTERY OF THE DIVINE
IS NOT IN WHAT IS GOING TO BE;
IT IS NOW.
LET YOUR CONVICTINS GO.
LET YOUR CONSISTENCY GO.
MAINTAIN YOUR RELATION TO THE DIVINE.
DO NOT QUARREL,
BUT DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO SWALLOW YOU EITHER.
UNGUARDED STRENGHT IS DOUBLE WEAKNESS.
ABIDING IN THE DIVINE IS THE ONLY SAFETY.
WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE,
DO IT WITH SINGLENESS OF HEART.
THE SPIRIT OF GOD WITHIN THE HUMAN SPIRIT
IS THE INNER UNCONQUERABLENESS.
73
WHO KNOWS THE GREAT MYSTERY?
WHO HAS SEEN THE FACE OF THE LORD?
HAVE YOU MEET YOUR BELOVED IN FEILDS OF GOLD?
HAVE YOU TASTED FRUIT FROM THE TREE OF LIFE?
HAVE YOU SEEN THE GLORIOUS LIGHT BEYOND FEAR?
THE DIVINE HAS THREE LOVELY DAUGHTERS.
THEIR NAMES ARE FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY.
THEY WALK IN BEAUTY,
BEAUTY THEY ARE.
THE BELL ON THEIR ANKLES ARE RIGHTEOUSNESS;
THEIR PERFUME, VIRTUE.
THEY ABIDE FOREVER.
THE DIVINE HAS A COMELY SON.
HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL COUNSULER.
STRENGH AND HUMILITY CLOTH HIM.
HE WEARS TRUTH ABOUT HIS WAIST.
HIS FEET ARE SHOD WITH THE GOOD NEWS OF PEACE.
HIS SWORD IS THE SPIRIT.
THERE IS A GREAT WEDDING IN THE HEAVENS.
GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS.
GO SING IT TO THE SEAS.
THE BRIDE AND THE GROOM REJOICE.
ALL OF CREATION SAYS, “COME”.
COME, COME..
74
A LEGEND TOLD, IS NOT THE TRUE LEGEND: THAT WHICH IS ETERNAL.
THE WORD THAT CAN BE WRITTEN, IS NOT THE ETERNAL WORD.
THE UNDYED FABRIC BEARS THE TRUTH OF SIMPLICITY.
COLORING BRINGS THE CREATION OF MANY PATTERNS.
FREE FROM DISTRACTIONS YOU HEAR HARMONY.
CHAOS AND SILENCE FACE EACH OTHER.
ALL ARISE FROM THE UNSUNG SONG.
INFINITIES UPON INFINITIES, THE CLEAR LIGHT OF UNDERSTANDING.
75
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD,
I SHALL NOT WANT.
HE MAKE ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES;
HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS.
HE RESTORES MY SOUL;
HE GUIDES ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.
EVEN THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY
OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,
I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME;
THY ROD AND THY STAFF, THY COMFORT ME.
YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES;
THOU HAST ANOINTED MY HEAD WITH OIL;
MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.
SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE,
AND I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD,
FOREVER.
76
LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER,
FOR LOVE IS FROM GOD;
AND EVERYONE WHO LOVES IS BORN OF GOD
AND KNOWS GOD.
THE ONE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD,
FOR GOD IS LOVE.
EVERY GOOD THING BESTOWED
AND EVERY PERFECT GIFT IS FROM ABOVE,
COMING DOWN FROM THE FATHER OF LIGHTS,
WITH WHOM THERE IS NO VARIATION OR SHIFTING SHADOW
GOD IS LOVE,
AND THE ONE WHO ABIDES IN LOVE ABIDES IN GOD,
AND GOD ABIDES IN HIM.
77
LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS;
YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM.
CONSIDER THE LILIES OF THE FIELD, HOW THEY GROW:
THEY NEITHER TOIL NOR SPIN;
AND YET SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY WAS NOT ARRAYED LIKE ONE OF THESE.
THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY, SAYING, “WHAT SHALL WE EAT?” OR “WHAT SHALL WE WEAR?”
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED TO YOU.
THEREFORE DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, FOR TOMORROW WILL WORRY ABOUT ITS OWN THINGS.
SUFFICIENT FOR THE DAY IS ITS OWN TROUBLE.
*******
mystic
writ of edification
we should not put chains on butterflies.
the simplicity and essence of our practice is to appreciate and be aware of the
miracle of our being;
to embrace childlike wonder for the one vast miracle that is nature.
hope, faith, and charity, these three abide.
christian zen is the christianity of everyday living. it is a protocol that
is more ‘fundamental’ than that which is practiced by a vast majority of
fundamentalist persuasions. however, it is also broad and flexible; enough
so, to be a platform for christian unity. it is not strict in letter,
rather, it is strict in focusing on the goal of religion; namely,
the central religious experience. this central experience is the delivery
of our spirit, brought forth, through the basic nature of the holy spirit.
the term ‘zen’ means, meditation. this meditation is more than just turning
aside to be alone with god for an hour. it is the gift of god’s loving
presence within. zen is a philosophy against idolatry, with a vengeance.
zen finds god everywhere at every moment and praises him in union with
all living creation. the school of zen, as it is known to western society,
is the collection of those pearls which are foremost and authentic in the
lore of taoism, confucianism, and buddhism. zen is that which is finest
in the eastern treasures of wisdom. also, by analogy, it is the primary
spiritual truths found within native american cultures. these truths,
these pearls, were and are encompassed in the christian religion.
in the western church, it has been through the passage of time and cultures
that these elements became hidden, or minor instructions. still,
these elements are found in historical/cultural studies as well as
within the bible. we seek to restore to harmony, and rightful place,
these elements within the body of christ.
central to the religious experience is the divine nature.
this is revealed in the passion of jesus christ and the sacrificial vows of the
saints.
these are one in spirit, one in meaning, and one incarnate; being the lord of glory.
and in effect, is the indwelling of victory through self transformation into the image of christ.
so the spirit is born in the body of bliss.
therefore:
we choose to seek through prayer, praise, and meditation to receive the gift of
divine grace and awaken to love.
we endeavor to give ourselves over through adoration and devotion, to the
compassionate wisdom who dwells in the clear light beyond conception and supposition.
to seek who is called “i am”.
the holy spirit is the breath of god’s life, the flame of his glory, and the stream of his love. in her elusiveness she is god’s mystery. in her liveliness, beauty, and grace, she is god’s poetry. in her compassion she is god’s comfort. through her we come to know god most intimately. in the holy spirit of love we learn that the heart of god is infinite joy. from the holy spirit we come to understand that all of creation springs from this divine joy. it is the celebration of sharing god’s interior happiness, or as it used to be called, beatitude. basic to the christian message is the affirmation that god is a living, loving god. in god’s unique love for each one of us, divine life and divine love are communicated to us through god’s holy spirit. mary most pure, in her open willingness and joy of receiving into her person the holy spirit, conceived by the power of the highest, and the word became incarnate. jesus christ is divinity incarnate. incarnation was purchased by the love of christ. it was jesus christ performing the sacrificial vow of absolute compassion and unconditional love that tore the veil within the temple in two; and this is the sign of reconciliation. central to the incarnation is the cross of christ. jesus christ came so that all might have redemption though his words, life, death, and resurrection. in the mystery and meaning of the incarnation, both the cross of christ, and the joy of the holy spirit’s communion with god, become one. through the passion of the cross is the gateway to paradise our transformation into the image of christ involves like images, accomplishing the transformation of the inner man. often love has to wait in pain and tears for the blessing of fuller communion. yet when the blessing comes, it comes with the glory of god. in this the holy spirit pours out abundant grace; becoming both the source and the reflection of our charity. as christian we are called to renew our minds by putting on christ. in this, we must enter into a relationship with ‘the way. the truth, and the life’, that touches the core of our being; not just our intellect, not just emotions or good sentiments. we come to the sure conviction that the lord jesus christ is the symbol of hope beyond all hope, of faith without faltering, of charity, to the pouring out of his own life. the lord jesus christ is the victory of the ressurection.
perceiving the truth in christ jesus is profound liberation;
the glory of the lord shines forth in purpose , meaning, and healing life.
this truth can only be experience directly.
it is worth nore than all worldy treasures.
it is the joy and essence of life.
the words of christ contain the dynamic of the holy spirit; they cause upheaval
in our habitual preoccupation with apathy and despair. we must allow the words
of christ to accomplish their transforming work. prayer, thanksgiving, compassion,
and praise must involve our whole being and change our lives in such a way as to bring about a continuous process of spiritual growth. in this way the love of god is allowed to be a vitality expanding our being, and making us capable of approaching god in an unending process of greater growth; and greater joy. it is the nature of the divine to attract those who raise their eyes upward, for due to grace’s infinite beauty our desire for god is never in conclusion. enlightenment is to realize that human perfection consists precisely in this constant growth within the holy spirit; and to eat our bread with gladness and simplicity of heart. in time we come to the understanding that just as the body is the temple of the holy spirit, the whole universe is the temple of god, and god is working to bring us and the whole universe to christ. we go to god together with this whole wonderful natural creation. god’s natural world is not a hindrance, but is rather a ministry or stewardship through which we can respond to god. and it is in responding to god, and in listening to his call and accepting it, that we can move from image to likeness.
we acknowledge that suffering is part of the human experience.
we recognize that life is growth and growth brings change.
we recognize the transience of our temporary conditions and that resistance to
change will result in difficulties.
therefore, we find our consistency in christ.
christ is central to creation and is the image of our becoming. christ is constant
in compassion and mercy.
the sacrifice of jesus christ reveals the deepest meaning of the vows of compassion.
if we choose to live in christ we partake of christ.
if we partake of christ we also partake of our lords suffering and prayer for all
creation.
in various services, prayers, and sufferings we share in christ’s burden of compassion.
let us count it all joy to share in the burden of our lord and so share in the
vows of compassion.
it secures our inheritance in the pure land and brings all beings closer to the
divine.
so shall a wedding garment be furnished and a place at the lords table be set for
us in the kingdom of heaven.
this is the pearl of our becoming and the key to understanding.
god was meant to be man’s breath. man was to be healthy and full of life by
breathing in the loving power of god. but man polluted his interior environment.
what we see around us in the pollution of the air, the streams, rivers, lakes, oceans, our woods and forests and countryside is but a dramatic image, externalized, of what man is doing within himself in the unlimited expanse of his inner spaces. the ground of this wretchedness is our lack of communion with the divine. our failure to realize the implications of the incarnation, to accept the gift of union with god to the flesh, in all its aspects, is also the basic reason for the decline in the church’s vitality. therefore the renewal of our world as well as the renewal of christianity depend on accepting the incarnation in all its fullness. for without the realization of god’s love for the world, we can love neither the world or god. in contemplation, therefore, god calls us downward to his suffering world. it is the grace of god that changes darkness to light, and sorrow to joy. once we experience in prayer the transfiguring power of god’s love for us, we can love his world by surrendering ourselves to his presence. through the transforming power of love, the holy spirit enters our heart in order to serve and to bring him forth more radiantly, so that the whole world may recognize that he is the source of all being. within god we find the expression of joy and compassion, in a divine balance; and this divine balance is also expressed within nature’s beauty, male and female, and harmonic rythms. in discovering god at our center, we discover him also at the center of his world. in god , we can go forth and love the world as god loves it. christ is the life of god, and is our true, full life. salvation is a new life in christ that has to grow and possess our consciousness more and more. sanctification means being made one with jesus so that the disposition that ruled him will rule us. this is accomplished by setting or sight on the holy spirit. when our vision is devoted to the holy spirit, it becomes the power of perceiving god’s will, and the whole of life is able to be kept in simplicity. this transformation will cost everything that is not of god in us, and be the freedom from everything that is not of god in us. this liberty in christ is the light and joy of life.
religious method is not spirituality.
we must always remember not to make an idol of our traditions.
the tao is beyond regulation.
it is god, not religion, who illuminates our understanding.
no practice should ever replace liberty, no authority should ever command method.
the letter kills but the spirit gives life.
the way to paradise has been opened by christ, through his life of virtue,
his death, and his resurrection. hence, now through our imitation of christ,
as a new creation, new life manifests itself in conscious repentance and
unconscious holiness. and although we still are just human beings, yet we
now know a new mode of existence. now two wills exist inside us, and these
two wills, through love, become one will. when christ and the holy spirit
enter our loves and lives, the spirit bride and divine groom are continually
composing music within the soul, playing ever new melodies. in this the old
gray life is replaced with a new life of rainbow color; which is within christ
and the holy spirit. these vital musics resonate with god’s eternal symphonies.
the student of christian zen seeks only to surrender himself totally to receiving
the loving interior presence of god. he suffers joyfully this action of god,
creating, redeeming, transforming him into greater oneness with jesus christ.
and to our hearts is given the precious gift of real purpose and meaning,
shining forth in magnificent splendor. the overwhelming, unifying sentiment
is, “my god, he loves me!” the soul knows we are loved, wanted, accepted,
and this by perfection him/her self. the communication of god to the soul
always brings us to a clouded mist of limits. where do we end and where does
god begin? one really does not care to answer, because such knowledge has been
superseded by a superior knowledge of experience, and one knows the utter
poverty of words to explain the sacredness of the adoring moment.
discovering the freeing insight of the reality of god’s love; man returns
to the garden of paradise and the world of beast and bird is unveiled in
harmony with god’s providence.
prayer of st. fancis
make me an ministry of thy peace.
where there is hatred, let me bring love.
where there is injury, your pardon, lord.
and where there is doubt, true faith in you.
where there is despair in life, let me bring hope.
where there is darkness only light.,
and where there is sadness ever joy.
oh, master, grant that i may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console.
to be understood as to understand.
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.
for it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving of ourselves that we receive,
and in dying that we are born to eternal life.
***
devotion is the direct path .. christ
zen .. embrace the divine spirit
christian zen is the devotion and the embrace...
***
foursquare tenets
of
christian zen
baptismal tenets.
1. surrounded with feelings of doubt, shame, or fear, destroying our sense of worth, we discovered ourselves spiritually lost. overcome, we sought hope and deliverance.
2. looked within our hearts and humbly admitted to ourselves and to god, the nature of our motives, our failings, and our deeds.
3. having a desire to partake of the grace of god, we sought to receive the spiritual comfort provided by hope and faith in the love and forgiveness of our creator.
4. became baptized in our hearts through repentance. asked god to remove our faults and believed in his gift of grace and forgiveness. looked for the promise of a new start and a new day.
5. made the decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of our personal savior, jesus christ.
6. endeavored of ourselves first-hand to learn of christ and gods gift of salvation, not judging others; rather, working out our own standing before god.
7. forgave others of the wrongs done to us, and told them so whenever possible and appropriate. we likewise, made amends for our own transgressions where possible.
8. sought a personal relationship with god and jesus christ, through prayer, meditation, thanksgiving and praise, the reading of the gospel and the confession of our hope.
9. requested the gift of the holy spirit from god. sought to live according to the truths of god.
10. with new understanding we began to see others as ourselves, from this we learned compassion. with compassion, we learned love. and with love we learned to care for others, making a difference.
tenets of christian character
1. christian character is revealed by our faith in, and sharing of, the same father and god; and by being brothers and sisters of christ through faith. it is not being drawn to boast in merits or activities; religious or otherwise.
2. christian character is revealed by being merciful and open hearted. it is not being quick to pass judgment neither is it prejudice.
3. christian character is revealed by judging oneself first, rather than judging others. it does not place more value on traditions and laws than on human charity.
4. christian character is revealed by forgiveness and being forgiven. it does not place more value on pomp and circumstance than on the healing of ourselves and others.
5. christian character is revealed by thanksgiving and praise to god. it is not doubtful and testing of the works of god.
6. christian character is revealed by generosity and being gracious in word and deed. it is not being jealous of others or the praise of others. those of christian character do not belittle others and neither do they make servants of others.
7. christian character is revealed by humility, knowing that serving others is serving christ; even as christ first served us.. it is not being drawn after the vain glory of titles and positions. neither do those of christian character limit the spirit or prevent others from experiencing the things of god.
8. christian character is revealed by building up and strengthening our brothers and sisters as well as praying for others and ourselves. it is not being filled with suspicions or given to slander.
9. christian character is revealed by thinking upon the virtuous, and resisting spirits of division. it is not being fearful nor is it being hypocritical and argumentative.
10. christian character is revealed by bringing light into the world and being transformed into the image of christ. it is not creating shadows or putting a stumbling block in our brothers and sisters way.
tenets of christian zen
1. gods will is eternal in the sense of ‘rain falling from the sky’ or the ‘river flowing to the sea’. it is fresh and supple. it is living and alive! it is not static rigid and dead. god is the god of the living and not the dead.
2. as it is written in the bible, we abstain from idolatry; therefore we maintain that the bible is for man, and not man for the bible. the holy scripture is a rock upon which we stand, it is not a burden laid upon our shoulders. the bible was revealed by the ‘holy spirit’ and ‘wisdom’, for the service of man. it is the gift of god. in partaking of the holy spirit, we serve christ.
3. god is true and is truth. god is spirit, eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, and not to be confused with the characteristics, attributes, and limitation of man; for in god we live, move, and have our being.. god is love. god is light. god is life. in god lies the male and female, between the male and female are the little children. charity, faith, and hope are of god’s divine spirit. the breadth and the scope of god are boundless, therefore god cannot be grasped by the hand of disquiet reason. christ; mary’s son, is the fullness of the godhead bodily.
4. life is like a mirror to the soul; to assume meaning in providence is a matter of self-reflection. to the pure god shows himself pure. to the unbelieving, god cannot be found. the meanings of the furies and fate are those which we choose to see; ‘for as a man thinks, so is he’. god is not mocked and god is judge of all.
5. we should accept the intuitive nature of our being, and have the courage and humility to accept that not all is revealed to the analytical mind. also that many things of the spirit are seen more clearly in an intuitive spiritual way. for as the ‘heavens are higher than the earth’, so are god’s ways above man’s ways and god’s thoughts above man’s thoughts’.
6. in our practice, each awakening is a vital spiritual experience. however, the total process of our conversion is by multiple degrees of becoming and experience. it is a transformation within love, going from grace to grace. on the spiritual path, compassion and humble wisdom are the higher priority and given more grace over the experience of transcendental enlightenment
7. christ came to give life abundantly. therefore, reward is present at every stage of our method. most notably joy, health, and a clear mind; still at some point we must choose not to think of rewards, but walk only in trust, love, and service to our lord, holding to the truth that light awaits us at the far side of our valley of trials.
8. a pure transcendental ‘zen’ experience is possible for those of christian conviction, this is known as the beatific vision; yet, thoughts about god, are not god altogether, and feelings of god are not god entirely. we do not speak of these things as illusions or realities. rejection of supposition is the way of transcendence. in all of this we never lose sight of the lord’s sacrifice of compassion, for this is the doorway to heaven.
9. as we travel our path of prayer, devotion, and meditation, likened to dolphins rising toward the light in the sea, we surface and dive into and from our mortal thoughts and desires. therefore, because self serving deeds and thoughts continually surround our spirit seed of compassion, hope, and quintessence we should consider the price, the selfless love gift, that christ our king purchased us with; that we never confuse the smaller mind of the reasoning man with the greater mind of the divine nature.
10. those trials in life seemingly without answer, are the koans of living. for it is anxiety that drives us to seek the lord, and the spirit, in deeper and more profound ways; with our hearts, minds, and intuitions surrendering in conversion. through this we find harmony in the faith that nothing is lost to the author of salvation, and that there is no wound that he cannot heal.
poets tenet
...1
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
religion is the poetic verse of the miracles.
those effects which touch the divine.
like a seashell held to yor ear,
it resonates with the beating of your heart.
what is meaning,
what is purpose,
what is majesty.
religion is the art of edification.
trying to induce the
transformational quality
of the experience of
the miracle.
this is a lyric of metamorphisis.
..2.
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
harmony and disquiet face each other;
there is tension in the balance,
the miracle occurs.
the divine is matriarch of miracles.
miracles are mother of profound coincidence.
genesis and genus of revelation.
these things are fundamental tones
of resounding recognition’s.
these things have , and are overtones.
spreading like ripples in a pond.
that is ‘meaning within meaning’ by degree.
these things are light and shadow;
revealing the primary colors on life’s canvas.
colors of life and mind.
these things are an ecology and are acausal.
this is observer relational crystallization of meaning.
these things have the ability to transform mind.
.3..
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
speaking no words which perplex, pander, and conceal;
the poets aspiration is to sing the angels songs
and do the heros deed.
angelic songs and hero’s deeds are the mystic harmonics.
music one need fathom not, only hear and feel.
poetry symboled as heavenly musical note is symbolic unto action.
life’s verse inspires song and deed.
this is the soul moving toward divine incarnation;
toward the infinite.
t’is not the soul’s aspiration,
t’is aspiration’s soul.
life is played on angels harps
our spirits dance with stars
4...
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
sacraments join with mystic harmonics
to produce a beatific chord.
a sacrament is a dance step,
a sacrament is a singing voice,
a sacrament is a painting.
a sacrament is a bouquet.
a sacrament is bread.
a sacrament is cool water in a dry place.
a sacrament is a kiss
a ‘partaking within’ of
thanksgiving,
faith, hope, and charity.
this is the soul’s passage to center,
great poetry is personal.
you bring your life.
t’is not the soul’s inspiration,
t’is inspiration’s soul.
.5..
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
beatific chords in harmony,
petition with graces.
the balance swings toward true,
toward integrity.
graces are beauty and truth.
life’s purpose is recorded.
a ringing.
the grace is miraculous.
graces are gifts within gifts; graces within graces.
graces are the resonance of eternal mind,
the dye of the celestial tapestry.
eternal mind rises up in grace;
a manner likened unto musical vibrations,
a tuning of instruments.
a spectrum of rainbow colors
which are absolutely ‘life-morphic’
and in the image of life,
and is life..
these things are an ecology and are acausal.
this is observer relational crystallization of purpose.
these things have the ability to transform mind.
..6.
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
the spectrum of eternal mind is quantified into individual life.
arising from a continuum of life spheres
which also rise up into distinction
individual mind resides within multiple personalities;
rhythm of consciousness above the din.
iterated seeds sowing psyche’s field.
psyche’s field rising to awareness.
awareness sphere, mirror of mother nature.
mother nature nurtures all individuals.
this is the meter of cherubic orbs;
in circle the celestial dance.
living mother nature;
giver of weddings and springtime,
excelling in beauty.
daughter to her who is called
god’s wisdom.
the glory of the divine’s creation praises the divine,
and delights god’s image bearers;
woman and man,
parent and child.
a palette of life,
aurora’s golden dawns.
a rainbow of ecospheres within ecospheres;
a chior of individuals bearing future generations
an chorus of angels songs, sacraments, and graces.
these things are an ecology and are acausal.
this is observer relational crystallization of majesty.
these things have the ability to transform mind.
...7
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
primary musical scale.
love’s pure light.
honoring god.
primary balance..
divine incarnation.
complete in grace and truth.
chief cornerstone.
“thy kingdom come”
concert master.
life of christ, central event,
central miracle told.
the beatific.
t’is our aspiration,
ispiration of our soul.
christ is the falling stone creating the splash
central to the ripples in the pond.
firstborn.
..8.
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
the saint and the sage pastime
in a moving toward the center and the infinite,
a becoming of balance in integrity,
closer to the divine.
the wind blows where it will,
you hear the sound of it , yet cannot tell.
where it comes or where it goes;
so are they which are spirit born .
the motion of the balance stills,
the kingdom of god comes to earth,
creation becomes incarnation,
we return to the wildflowers,
the orchestra is set,
god is all in all.
.9..
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
a becoming of spiritual music.
the spirit and the bride say “come”
the groom is ready.
perfect balance.
perfect integrity.
a pure and clear note,
beginning sonorous octive.
we transcend the wheel of justice
bride and groom are wedded
the two become spiritually one
all becomes as one
we have come home
om
10
lift ye up, eternal doors
and the king of glory shall come in.
foundation is holy spirit, which is to say,
this is the utterance of god
which creates the cosmos.
lift ye up, eternal doors
and the king of glory shall come in.
god’s music,
god’s miracle,
god composes,
god directs.
balance is transcended
glory breaks forth in symphony.
this is metaphor.
this is spiritual light.
Study Bible for Women
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