Structuring how to write every day for a year in a concentrated effort to organize your thoughts and bring forward what I have written over the years is a challenge. Re-organizing my website to include new areas of interest is essential, especially incorporating my activities with my writing. I view my greenhouse/office and surrounding gardens as Danny’s Farm. Modelled after Tolstoy’s farm where Gandhi was further inspired and Emerson’s writings on Nature, as I try to bring forth my highest endeavors to endeavor to see beyond myself. If we are what we think and do what inspires us, then for me evolves into what speaks to and for me.
What defines a syllabus for me, is the synopsis or plan going forward. Not cast in stone, but simply a way forward. Generally speaking, this would include the following:
First, would be a book I bought on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend in November 1993 called The elements of Taoism by Martin Palmer. It changed the trajectory of my life, and it captures the essence of the Taoist sage. In the first paragraph it tells us “Outwardly nothing, all is within. Scorning what the world considers valuable, the Taoist sage looks within and finds the whole cosmos and the purpose of life. Outwardly, the sage sees the world driven with striving.” Wow… it is like the book had me at hello. More on this tomorrow. It would be as though I was not simply reading this book; it was speaking directly to me saying this is who you are.
This would naturally be the book that began the journey in 1994. Any study or following of Taoism and Chinese history and philosophy begins with the I Ching. In January 1994, I turned to the book by Herson and Rosemary Huang called I Ching – A new translation restores the authentic spirit of the ancient text. Following each of the sixty-four entries, I wrote a hundred entries in a hundred days as though being re-introduced to what would become a self-portrait. Moving beyond simply the text itself, to what would become my first book and own introduction to Taoism. This book was published in China ten years later in 2004. Following this book with new commentary will take me from now through mid-April 2025. Entitled An American journey through the I Ching and Beyond appears on my website as… The I Ching / Voices of the Dragon.
Next would be The Book of Lieh Tzu that appears here on the website as My travels with Lieh Tzu that I wrote in 1995-96. This book has been essential reading and study for Taoist precepts, those who are studying in Taoist monasteries and temples for over two thousand years. It is currently in use. It is one hundred fifty-six entries with commentary, will take us through August 2025
Finally, my version of the Tao Te Ching that I wrote in May/June 2000 that was published in China in 2006. The book is entitled Thoughts on becoming a Sage – The guidebook for leading a virtuous Life. It is eighty-one pages plus commentary will guide us from September through the end of the year.
As my writing and commentary expands, I may need to move or continue into 2026. All the above serves simply as a springboard for further study and reflection. Entries every day may begin with an inspiring quote. Pictures used in each entry will be ones I have taken in my travels in China.
All of this to follow what may be called our innate intuition. What we have always known but forgotten. Some people may say we only live a one and done thing, or that they don’t believe in reincarnation. But it is a matter of spiritual development and continual renewal. It can only be explained as the waking up of our spirit and acknowledgement of eternal life.
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