Collectivity

"Ancient societies were tribal;
The group did the thinking.
Current society is splintered;
The individual must be complex."

I seem to see that in America people think it is not only a luxury but also their right, to thrive--even perhaps at the expense of others. Belonging to some kind of group is seen as a choice, and even then, maybe not a good one. And often what people do to accentuate their own individuality is push others into a group. I think we don't belong to separate groups; we belong to each other. That's the only promise we have to fulfill. How long until everybody believes it? 

Rusticity

"The laughter of country folk is uncomplicated.
The laughter of city folk is full of dark nuance.
The ambition of country folk is to grow their crops well.
The ambition of city folk is to overcome others.
 The joy of country folk is to participate in the seasons.
The joy of city folk is to achieve sophistication."

In my pursuit of Tao I can feel myself drawing into balance. The essence of myself, I've always felt, is neither city nor country, but a mix of both, or a weaving of the two. One must at least acknowledge one's roots in order to grow. I suppose the way to keep that growth a simple process is to acknowledge its source. 

Attachment

"The monk shaved his head as a symbol of renunciation,
But now he goes nowhere without his little cap."

I have often reflected that honesty about my failings is worth nothing if I am not willing to work on them. And such is the world we live in, that what I see as a failing in myself may not be seen as such by others in themselves. Perhaps, then, it is best if I invest myself mostly in the progress of myself and those closest to me. Life is short, and can be painful enough already. If I focus on this too much, it is only to try to mitigate what little I can each day. 

Winter

"A homeless man dies in the gutter.
A tree cracks in the cold:
A shocking sound."

Just as I should never fear doing for the least, I should neither fear being the least. May my humility never forsake me as I press forward into the unknown. 

Manure

"Manure makes excellent fertilizer.
Life has ordure."

I am learning to see opportunity everywhere. Even in the failures and disappointments there can be the seed of something furthering my good. I will never stop looking for that. It keeps me alive. 

Promises

"Visions better than drugs haven't come.
Intelligence exceeding genius hasn't come.
Titanic strength hasn't come.
Beauty to attract lovers hasn't come.
Visitations from gods haven't come.
Freedom from weariness hasn't come.
An end to vexing annoyances hasn't come.
Great wealth hasn't come.
Fame hasn't come.
Unlimited understanding of others hasn't come.
Supernatural powers haven't come.
The skill to spontaneously heal hasn't come.
The gift of prophesy hasn't come.

None of these things have come,
Yet I would not forsake this spiritual path."

Most days all I have is the willingness to endure everything for His sake. I only pray that He is leading me toward something, the purpose of which I will ultimately know and understand. 

Template

"Must you see nature as a machine?
Is your only learning chemistry, physics, and ontology?
What if poetry was your template for life?
Can't you know Tao by the feeling of mud in your sandals?
Thus are the sages called silly:
They have given up their prejudices."

Is it possible to oversimplify the message of God? Is it necessary to parse everything until I achieve understanding? I doubt it. The possibilities of God are endless. I believe that. Sometimes I think I know it. And then something else surprises me. That's my faith: the willingness to be surprised, the willingness to wonder. Whatever kind of filter I place on things, it's always eventually flushed clean. I'm grateful for that. It means that I get to try again, but I don't have to get everything. I just have to keep trying.