We are often found just filling in the details of a life well lived. The commentary below reflects on the final entry of Chapter 3 – King Mu of Zhou, while the next chapter is simply titled “Chapter 4 – Confucius.” The commentary describes the path, or Way, I am meant to follow from this point onward. I wrote this entry back in March 1995, over thirty years ago, reflecting on how my writing mirrors who I am becoming as I learn the Way and follow the guidance of my mentors Lieh, Chuang, and Lao Tzu. We are all truly an eternal spirit, experiencing life on Earth to complete another chapter of our journey.
I’ve always felt like there was more to my own story than what appears in the present. It seems at times that I exist on the fringes, never fully aligning with how others view their roles or even my own. My writing has been a journey of transformation, evolving from who I thought I was into someone deeply connected to a historical legacy that spans thousands of years in ancient China. It has woven a thread of my personal history, reflecting ties to Confucius and Qufu, to Chengdu in southwest China, as well as to Taoism and its key 
figures Lieh, Chuang, and Lao Tzu, plus so much more.
It feels fitting that we remain and finish the chapter exploring the effects of dreaming versus what we may perceive as real. After more than thirty years following this thread, writing more than half a dozen books and hundreds of thousands of words, mostly autobiographical, teaching in Qufu, and making over forty trips to China and Tibet… it seems I still have far to go to reach the pinnacle.
I believe my work has purpose and meaning, driving a self-fulfilling cycle that keeps me exploring the unknown or unrealized, uncovering knowledge yet to be discovered through my writing. It feels like the more I share or achieve, the closer I get to this pinnacle, drawing me toward a destination that returns me home to be with eternal friends once again. With this in mind I continue to travel, mostly in meditation these days, as though on a great wind headed west with great anticipation.
I especially like the line below that conveys that I am to:
“Remain as the first word to be written on the next blank page waiting to be filled with what must come forth in truth, sincerity, and compassion”.
Now as I embrace the full meaning of this endeavor updating what I wrote thirty years ago and asking what progress I might have made over the years… it seems fitting that I turn to the next page after the entry below to follow Confucius in the next chapter here on “My travels with Lieh Tzu”.
What began with the Yellow Emperor and now to King Mu of Zhou, soon finds Confucius. That I am only on number forty-nine out of a total of one hundred fifty-eight entries, tells me that there remains much more of the story yet to be told. It’s only late July; we’ll probably be here riding on the prevailing winds talking with Chuang and Lieh Tzu until Thanksgiving. Then not to outdone, it’s on to my interpretation and commentary of “Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching – Thoughts on becoming a Sage, the Guidebook for leading a virtuous Life”. A book that I wrote and was published in China in 20o6. My hope is that you will want to come along for the ride!
My travels with Lieh Tzu / Interpolations along the Way
Chapter 3 – King Mu of Zhou
49. Filling in the Details
Delight in knowing that you have always been on the edge and will remain there.
Finding comfort in what would otherwise be considered chaos by others who will never travel to find their true destiny. If you have found true peace of mind, how can hardship enter the picture? What comfort can be found in everyday events seen by others as needed to have some fleeting sense of contentment?
Remain as the first word to be written on the next blank page waiting to be filled with what must come forth in truth, sincerity, and compassion.
Appreciating nature, both your own inner nature and that surrounds you.
Your garden being wherever you are. Where trees grow leaves, where flowers attract bees and butterflies. Where wisps of clouds float between heaven and earth. Coming forward to knowing the happiness of all thing’s nature provides and knowing where you fit in will always be present.
As all things change from instant to instant, is it not remaining on the edge prepared to capture the new rays of each day’s sun, the ultimate that can ever be – now and forever. Not found to be clinging to life’s fortunes. Knowing happiness can only be followed by sadness. That everything ebbs and flows in the balance of all things.
The ultimate that can be. Simply to be blown along with the winds of one’s life. Never knowing the outcome, only savoring the details found along the wayside. Find a place of quiet solitude where there can be no contention present.
With everything around you at peace and harmony with its environment. As you come forward through your writing to fill the blank page with little or no concern for the time of your ultimate arrival.
Remain free to continue your way with Lieh Tzu and your old friends. Ready to begin anew the journey that you must begin again and again and again. 3/11/95
Number forty-nine of one hundred fifty-eight entries.
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