It seems like every mountain in China has its own spot called Heaven’s Gate. The picture above shows me at Heaven’s Gate atop Huashan Mountain. Many other mountains also boast special locations referred to as Heaven’s Gate. I’ve visited quite a few. It feels as if I have passed through the gate and returned many times. For many, the purpose is to go through the gate and come back sanctified to correct past mistakes ready to live a virtuous life. This has been the norm for thousands of years. Why mountains in many cultures have given us and have been the essence of our highest endeavor. Many Indigenous peoples throughout the world share the same feelings about mountains bringing them closer to their spiritual beginnings.
The entry should have preceded or come before the one just posted here yesterday. Below are numbers 11 and 12. Number 13 “Staying in tune with Heaven’s gift” should have followed.
Following the Way of the Tao is about finding guidance within ourselves, as if our eternal spirit is speaking to and through us. It’s not about external rules or morality, but about naturally doing what feels right and proper in how we live our lives. We often find ourselves repeatedly relearning to bring our thoughts and actions back in line with what we’ve always understood and known. There always seem to be subtle reminders we miss, simply because we don’t focus enough on the paths we take or the ones we’re destined to follow. As eternal truths quietly nudge us through signs and the people we encounter, guiding us further along our journey.
Meditation becomes such an essential part of our daily routine, aligning with divine order as the path we are meant to follow. It feels like nature is always encouraging us to use our talents to uncover what might have been overlooked or unknown, paving the way forward. Connecting with the beauty of nature allows us to uncover our own hidden beauty, waiting to surface. To reflect on the journey of sanctification—the process of letting go of past traits that no longer align with our purpose. As I express myself through my actions, deeds, and writing.
Confucius significantly influenced Taoism by proposing that rulers should combine practical skills with sage-like wisdom. Such leaders would ensure a well-run government, following proper rules, relationships, and rituals. The key distinction was that Confucius viewed the Tao as a guide for moral righteousness and correct behavior, seeing material success as a reward for adhering to the Way, or Tao. This contrasts with Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes actions based purely on virtue found within each of us that is universal in nature. That material success often comes at the detriment to others and nature itself. That both values and virtue are intended to be universal. It seems those in power distorted his ideas of virtue for their own benefit—and yes, history does have a way of repeating itself. Confucius played a key role in shaping what eventually became the fusion of the two in Chinese society.
What does it truly mean to be sanctified, to understand Heaven’s Gift, and most importantly, how can we embody it in the way we live? When I meditate or get lost in thought, it feels like I’m gliding through the day, unanchored by time, drifting into the clouds and journeying all the way to China. It’s hard to explain, but it feels as though I can instantly recall where each of the thousands of photos I took in China was captured. It’s almost as if a physical return isn’t necessary because, in a sense, our memories are enough to bring us back there.
I’ve come a long way since writing the entry below in 1995. What is it that connects us to our eternal spirit, allowing us to embrace it without fear of where it may guide us, as we discover the true meaning of Heaven’s Gift?
My Travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
11. Chapter One – Heaven’s Gift
12. Introduction… Becoming Sanctified
Traveling as one with the wind you become sanctified as one with Lieh Tzu. Coming out of the security you have found as the sage forever only concerned about images and things always to remain translucent. Keeping always to new heights found only in the mountain retreat where nothing is to be found but stillness.
Everything following its natural course as heaven and earth dictates. Simply coming to know the seasons and continuity found in following day and night. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, growth and decay, birth, and death. Man alone in knowing his true path. With only the sage knowing the proper sequence of events of the path that must be followed.
Man occupying the small, unseemly place on the mountain’s trail as shown in the paintings of antiquity. Living only to come forward to find the true way to be found only by following the Tao. Without thought or purpose. Without choosing to be born or to die. Yet following the Way.
Basing our every action on instinct and spontaneity. To distinguish between benefit and harm, understand alternative courses of action and form moral and practical courses of conduct without the need to do so.
To discard knowledge unfamiliar with the Way, cease to make distinctions, refuse to impose your will on nature. To return to the innocence found in a newborn child and allow your actions to come naturally as a part of nature itself. To reflect things like a mirror and respond as an echo without intervening thought.
Perfectly concentrated and perfectly relaxed as one who finds his second nature on hands and knees pulling weeds from his garden. Cleansing one’s soul of unwanted intrusions.
Remaining fully attentive to the external situation. Responding naturally to events as they occur. Not analyzing, as if spontaneously allowing your response to just take the unified action that comes forth simply to occur. 1/10/95
Numbers eleven and twelve of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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