To renew, we must both destroy and create patterns reflecting the past and future. Hindu God Shiva tells us that each of us lives in a cosmic dance. As we are to be on the threshold of a new and better world. Keeping thy faith until we meet again and to learn the steps. That there are no limitations of the dream except what you see, or covet, outside yourself. Lack of patience and diligence are for you to overcome.

Number 68 Tranquil Abiding and Number 140 It’s too late when you are Talking to the Tips of Branches… entries from My travels with Lieh Tzu here on website come to mind.

Tranquil Abiding

Finding peace of mind from within. Striving for contentment while staying within yourself with simple simplicity and an innate sense of modesty. Finding a certain strength of character to not be challenged nor surrender to the provocative that leads to an affluent or comfortable lifestyle or way of life.                    

As you find the natural temperament within yourself, the stronger your will and capacity to endure hardship. With this, you will gain enthusiasm and forbearance laying a solid foundation for spiritual progress to develop a singleness of mind and penetrating insight. 

Aspire only to tranquil abiding. Strive for and achieve a sense of contentment and modesty and an ethically sound and disciplined way of life. In thinking about discipline, it cannot be imposed from outside, but must come from within yourself. Discipline should be based on a clear awareness of its value and a degree of introspection and mindfulness. Once ingrained, it becomes automatic or self-imposed. You then become free to develop alertness and mindfulness. 

The bodhisattva Manjusri is the bodhisattva of wisdom not confined to knowledge or concepts who works for the enlightenment of all beings.               

When you have developed these two basic factors of awakening, then you can attain singleness of mind. Have no personal involvements or obligations that will direct your attention from the path you must now follow. Transcend the limits of your human existence. Forever losing your identity and endeavoring to take care of your ultimate aspiration. Understand the role of attachments and clinging and use them in letting go. With little or no obligation and involvement remain free to fly away.          

(From excerpts of an article in the May 1995 issue of the Shambhala Sun by the Dalai Lama with interjections by DCD 4/12/95)  

As I said in the beginning, all we need is what we already know. All that is left is to study true emptiness and mindfulness that leads to this tranquil abiding. For only the sage can overcome the self and enter the teachings of the Tao. As you travel with your mind’s eye to places you have been and seen before. This is the dark mystery beyond all mysteries, and the truest of gifts. To see beyond the present as if seeing the world as the blind ancient Taoist master and WuDang warrior, One Hundred Eyes.  According to the book A Brief History of Khubilai Khan, the real Hundred Eyes was a military general, not a monk and kung fu master as portrayed in the Marco Polo series on Netflix.

Knowing that space and time are not fixed. To be in-sync and in-tune with the vibrations of the universe that is expanding with every moment as a moment of creation. To become mystic-like in a mystical world with no more in hand than knowing thyself. With nature itself based on uncertainty that we each have a hand in. To live within the certainty of what may be considered as a dream, our imagination, the ultimate gift of the ages. The next step is nothing more than what comes next. With no fanfare, or attention, other than what others can emulate and learn by and through our actions. To move beyond “thoughts of becoming a sage,” to living as if thoughtlessly beyond what you have written and who you are yet to become. To live the lessons, we are here to teach as if it is second nature. That this expanding universe depends on each of us. 

We begin and continue with humility and learning. Understanding the role of roots, leaves, and branches, as well as knowing our legacy is not enough. For the role of the sage depends on acknowledging his proper place, beginnings and outcomes, patience and self-control and never giving way to anger. That heart and spirit make the sage. To live a life that only the oracles can see. Just where does one go when knowing is not enough. We are to make the tools we need and go where our voice can be heard and is needed the most.

It is too late when you are talking to the tips of Branches

How is one to govern oneself, and what does it say about who we are in the eyes of others and more importantly how we see ourselves. Where can our roots lie? Is not the answer to how we care for our spirit? If we endeavor to feed and nourish our internal spirit, will not our actions simply become the extension of who we are yet to become? 

As the roots take hold, without proper nourishment, the trunk does not begin to flourish and take shape. Is it not from this those branches, and limbs spring forth with leaves to breathe in the rays of the sun? To one day encourage and help us to attain some sense of enlightenment, as we are reminded of in the following story. 

King Chuang of Ch’u suffered from a great malady or illness. Afraid to share his problem with his peers he discussed his problem with his servant Chan Ho. King Chuang confided to Ho: “My ancestors have left me with a great responsibility that I must maintain. However, the problems of the State keep me from seeing how I can fit everything together in a way that makes sense. How am I to put the state in order so that good fortune follows me and my own posterity?” His servant Chan Ho responded that while he understood how to put one’s life in order, caring for the state was another matter. King Chuang continued: “I have inherited the shrine of my royal ancestors and the altars of state. I wish to learn how to keep them.” 

The answer was difficult for Chan Ho. For as he felt honored to have been chosen to serve the king, he felt that he was in a difficult situation. He conveyed to King Chuang: “Your servant has never heard of a prince whose own life was in order, yet his state was in turmoil, nor of any whose life was in turmoil but his state was in order. Therefore, the root must lie in how you choose to govern yourself.” 

Chan Ho then told the king a story that had been passed down from generation to generation amongst the poor people of the village of his father and grandfather. It went something like this: “Your life is governed as you would care for a grove of fruit trees. If you can find the time to care and nurture the trees so that you create the finest fruit in the land, then how can success not find you?” Chan Ho continued: “Giving advice to you after you are in the state your actions have found you is like talking to the tips of branches. At this late date, whatever you do may be too little, too late. 

Chan Ho concluded by saying that if you can find this way, then the answer will come rushing forward to greet you as a long-lost friend who knows his association with you can only be to his benefit as well. This is all you will ever need to know. The king, now having his answer, thanked his servant and wondered how he could not have seen the answer for himself and set out to find his gardens. Upon seeing them, he saw the care Chan Ho had given them and knew it may not be too late. 8/16/95 

What a paradox it all seems. Are we here to change ourselves, the nature of what we find, or simply report back what we have seen… Or collectively, all three, or none. With some possessing the pull of memories, and some not. To say otherwise, misses the universal point for nature’s keep for eternity’s sake. Knowing that when water is poured into a vessel it becomes the vessel. Becoming what you seek as balance and certainty of self and peace found in the heart of the faithful.