This is the final entry wrote at the end of October 1995 while in Florida for “My Travels with Lieh Tzu”, which I had begun in August 1994, fifteen months earlier.
Over the course of 158 entries, I discovered the power of looking inward without fear and learned to trust the path I was meant to follow. The road south would take me from Massachusetts, where I had cousins and my aunt and uncle near the place of my Italian ancestors, to sunny Florida, where I’d spend the next ten years as a city planner and neighborhood specialist before heading off to China and ultimately being able to tell my own story and truth.
Earlier this year, when I started my commentary, I began with my book on the I Ching and an introduction to Taoism, along with Lieh, Chuang, and Lao Tzu. These three sages lived over 2,000 years ago, and over the next thirty years, they would appear to guide me on a spiritual journey, reminding me of the legacy of dragons in ancient China.
Dragons who would refer to me as Cloud Dancing and tell me to “Keep to the lower Clouds”. This was followed by the commentary of The Book of Lieh Tzu and become “My travels with Lieh Tzu” that we have now completed.
Some would say… Dan you have quite the imagination.
I would say that things have a way of grabbing hold of you as though spirit comes calling to remind you of the true meaning of change and purpose. My journey had barely started, with so much still to do and learn. First came recognizing the obvious—that there was more here than where I stood now.
It begins with the spirit, our memories, and the urge to transform from the persona we think we are, along with questioning the very nature of reality. My next step will be further exploring Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching. I’ve also heard that when people reveal who they are, we ought to listen.
When I left Massachusetts, one key takeaway was that “it’s not where we are that matters, it’s who we are.” As Eric Butterworth says when we are listening, “the universe is calling all of us.” After finishing “My Travels with Lieh Tzu”, I realized an important aspect of Taoism is that we shouldn’t be tied to any principle that strays from our eternal path, and that we’re here to grow into wherever that path leads with our virtue and respect for nature intact. Take a moment to reflect—we shouldn’t cling to principles that pull us off our true path, and it’s not up to us to determine what someone else’s journey should be. That’s not the purpose of my foundation or the reason I write every day.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Eight – Explaining Conjunctions
158. Eternity’s Log or Searching for Dan Tzu
Where have you been Cloud Dancing? Why haven’t you been with us every morning so we can continue our on‑going dialog or conversation?
I have been typing and editing our book, My Travels with Lieh Tzu that we have just finished together.
Consolidating your thoughts is important, putting them on paper essential. However, you must spend time alone each day in meditation as the ever-knowing sage you hope to become if you are to continue your journey. Decisions that you must make will be more difficult without the direction we are here to provide.
Especially now that the road you must follow has been laid out and been made clear. Your thoughts of traveling back to Lamar were close to the mark, but you now know that you must create your own place. A place where there is a common interest where you can get back to nature and your garden and where you can begin to learn to tell the stories you have written.
Your coming to Florida was for a reason. You had to complete the work that you and Lieh Tzu had started in a place where there would be no contention present. As you become well‑versed in what you have written, remember that what you write is who you are to become.
Just as you know there can be no rush to where the next rung on the ladder may lead. When it is time to go home, the way will be made clear. For now, just continue to lose the attachments that have accumulated over time, work to become unencumbered and continue fine‑tuning our message through your writing.
We have much to tell and you have much to learn. Great things are expected from you Cloud Dancing. Much is riding on your ability to bring forth the words of the shaman and sage from long ago. We want to be kept abreast of your progress in your writing. Coming forward to spend a little time each day with us will help to make the meaning of what you write more clearly understood. We want you to tell others our story and in time you will.
Some wonder or not Lieh Tzu really existed. The question is simple one. The answer is easy for me. Because in my travels and circle of friends, the only question becomes have we. 10/30/95
Number one hundred fifty-eight of one hundred fifty-eight entries.

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