The picture above is of Confucius, Buddha, and Lao Tzu, standing over a vat of vinegar. It is a very famous depiction to the need to see things beyond our own ego to what works best for all. All three certain of their own paths, but it is when all three can come together seeing how all three can work in harmony for humanity and eternity’s sake that benefits everyone they go forward. They did not say that their way was the only path, but in learning to appreciate the merits of the other two, all would be benefited.
Living our lives as if not only a duet of both the past and present, but here celebrating those things we have always known and places we’ve been, lived, and maybe forgotten. As our memories but a melody singing, re-playing and building on the past what we’ve always known. To maybe retune, here now as something new to build on again and again.
To be but the passing of light shining in what appears to be darkness. From legacy to legacy. Recreating grace for eternity’s sake as we are given the chance to get it right this time.
Updating what it means to “find yourself in time”. Willing to change as every day brings a new level of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding that begins within us. Following the path of unveiling what was considered to be unknown to new heights that lead the way to what becomes now appreciated and fully accounted for. Looking to what will bring out the best in all things found in nature as we find our true course. Becoming only an illusion as though our spirit has always been found traveling on a star traversing the winds throughout the galaxy. Time only existing in the present while we learn to acknowledge how we are meant to mesh with nature for eternity and nature’s sake.
Why writing about traveling on the wind with Lieh Tzu becomes self- explanatory. Looking for the best we act as though ways of thinking are but flowers in our garden. Philosophy and religion to be treated this way as only something to be built upon. Every generation always looking to what may take us to our highest endeavor with thoughts and actions only serving as if pearls on a string to be added today for tomorrow’s sake. One pearl alone meant to shine brightly but by itself can never reach the zenith it can find when united in tandem with others.
Planting seeds is not enough. Once our new plants emerge, they wither and die when our enthusiasm makes us either give them too much water or conversely not enough. Our new plants will die either way, but if allowed to mature, they can reseed themselves. Our own actions can be this way too as we yield to the institutional memory we have always known.
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter Two – The Yellow Emperor
25. Finding yourself in time
Remember what you have written as you began by piquing immortality’s interest in the I Ching and One Hundred Flowers and expand the knowledge between truth and falsehood for all to see and know. What is brought forward by Lieh, Chuang and Lao cannot be a casual affair or with clouded motives apparent for all to see. 
It is in continuing your journey without questioning yourself that the door opens.
Approaching the Tao must be a process of quieting your mind and opening your heart. With no motive beyond knowledge to be found along the Way. Finding a mentor and being prepared to be asked to stay and learn. Staying true to the bond between teacher and student with learning the only order of the day.
Once you have quieted your mind, in three years’ time, your mind does not think of right and wrong, and you dare not speak of benefit and harm. Only then does the Master begin to look your way. After five years you again think of right and wrong and speak of benefit and harm and for the first time the Master acknowledges you with a smile.
After seven years you begin to think of whatever comes into your mind without distinction between benefit and harm and for the first time the Master may ask you to join him. After nine years you begin to think without restraint of whatever comes into your mind and begin to say without restraint whatever comes into your mouth.
Without knowing whether the right or wrong or benefit or harm, could be yours or another’s and forget that the Master is your teacher.
Only then, when everything has passed through you, both inside and out, does it all become one. Your eyes becoming like your ears, your ears like your nose, your nose like your mouth, your mind concentrated, and your body completely relaxed. Flesh and bones fused completely. Not noticing what your body may lean against or where your feet may have traveled.
Drifting in the wind both east and west like a dry husk never knowing if the wind is riding you or you are riding the wind. Approaching the Tao cannot be a haphazard affair with one only approaching at one’s leisure. Simply remember to clear your mind and open your heart and be prepared to be asked to stay.
Time is of the essence as it is all we have been to possess. Awakening can occur in a lifetime or an instant or not at all. Remain irrelevant to time and be asked to stay. 1/21/95
Number twenty-five of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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