Tao of the Day

I started us off the Chrismas with #1 and was joind by Jay K for that and then #17. Johnny joined and chose #44 and we talked a bit about Rauhnachte for a bit and 12 days of the Rough Nights.#1 "Expressing Tao"Words are particular,They cannot express Tao.To have a name is to be limited to manifestationThat which is nameless is the source of manifestation.Self-referential, those who name, name themselves.Want to experience the depth of the mystery? Stop identifying.Want to experience the shallowness of the manifestation? Differentiate.Either way no one can tell,The difference is in your experience.#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.After having created the positionThe people feared their leaders,Then they despised them.Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.When there are great Masters there are no leadersShe works day and night and says nothing about it,When the work is done the people say"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"#44 "The Influence of Excess"Fame or integrity; which of these do you focus on seeing and obtaining?Possessions or fulfillment; in which do you spend your time investing?Success or failure; of which has offered you the most growth?Under the influence you spend yourselfAccumulating only loss and regret.Fulfill your needs and be content,When you know excess is excessiveYou'll be open to receiving harmony.

A very Merry Christmas eve morning started with Melissa and her hot Chocolate and #17. Marianne joine me for #27 and V A joined for #81 and a chat about her father and wht she learned from him.#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.After having created the positionThe people feared their leaders,Then they despised them.Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.When there are great Masters there are no leadersShe works day and night and says nothing about it,When the work is done the people say"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"#27 "The Mystery of the Process"Although a good traveler may have plansThey are not rigid, nor is the outcome.Although a good artist creates,The creations are arrived at through intuition.Although a good scientist observesIt is done for the first time every time.By embodying these strategiesThe Master accepts everyoneAnd makes use of every situation,Nothing is wasted andEvery moment is imbued with light.What is the good if not a vision for the bad?What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?Accept this completely,Or you will suffer in all you do.It is the great secret.#81 "Blossoming Leader"True words may not sound comfortingYet comfort those they are meant for,However, comforting words are never true.Connected to source there is no desire to proveDesire to prove only exposes separation from source.The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation.Giving away her possessions she only receives more.Tao blesses everyone in this way.When this blessing can be received,Domination and power will yieldWhile all people will blossom as leaders.

Today I spoke with Marianne about #59 and her frustrations with Christmas, Melissa about #12 and her full teaching day on Dec 23rd, thenTruth joined me for #9 after which Jay K got #68.#9 "The Danger of Extremes"Having to prove yourselfWill allow challenges to best you.Focus your attention on moneyAnd lose sight of what is valuable.Keep in mind outside influenceAnd you will be its prisoner.Do what you do and move on,It isn't yours anyway.#12 "The Senses"Colors blind the eyes of men.Sounds deafen the ears of men.Flavors dull the tongues of men.Thoughts will lead a mind to turmoil.Desires and greed will lead a life to turmoil.Therefore, the Master satisfies her inner visionAllowing external cravings to come and go.#59 "Serving Others"While serving others, be as reserved as you can be.Be like Tao, nurture all things without influencing them.This is possible through moderationFree yourself from the constraints of your own ideas.Respect all things as they are and remove their limits.Embrace this virtue and your limits are removed as well.Find within yourself both solid ground and yielding sky.Be at one with Tao and the landscape creates itself.Limitless you achieve immortality.#68 "Do What you Love to Do"Great athletes love to play, not winGreat fighters love to fight, not be angryGreat generals love to strategize, not destroyGreat employers love to employ, not be a boss.Great musicians love to play, not perform.They are not attached to identities or outcomes,They simply dance with what they love to do.This is in harmony with Tao.

Today Melissa and I had a deep discussion about wanting before she chose #24 and then Jay K joined me for #28.#24 "Do What is to be Done"Standing on tiptoes robs you of firm footing.Rushing ahead robs you of knowing where you are.Looking at yourself robs you of seeing.Boasting of yourself robs you of your brilliance.Overpowering others robs you of your power.Clinging to your work robs you of longevity.If you want to align with TaoJust do what is to be done and then stop.#28 "Knowing There's Depth in the Shallow"Know the world through the masculineBut access your power through the feminine:In this way, you will be open to receive.If you can receive then your actions will support,They will never be forced, and you will be innocent.Know the world through the lightBut connect to it within the dark:In this way, you will be open to the truth.If you can see truth, manifestation will not fool you,It will fall away, and nothing will elude you.Know the world through the particularBut know there is no particular here:In this way, you will accept all things.If you can accept all things, you will be a beaconThat will guide you, and all beings, back to source.The manifestation was formed from the void.The Master knows the manifestationYet stays focused on the void within it.That is how she uses all things.

Today was a simple day with only Melissa joining me for #25, and I selected #80, both of which got covered extensivly.#25 "I Call it Tao"Before the manifestation of heaven there is voidIt is still and has no form.Inexhaustible it reaches everywhereIt is at the core of everything.Since names became importantIt has been called Tao.It flows among manifestation without resistanceInside, outside, conscience and subconscious.Tao is great.Universes are great.Planets are great.Beings are great.These four are all great and follow the law of their principle;All beings follow their planet,Planets follow their universe,Universes follow Tao,Tao follows only its nature.#80 "What's Important"Any state wishing to align with Tao remains small.Too many people bring about too many options and opinions.In a small State its inhabitants are skilled and wiseHowever there is never a need to put their skills on displayThey will be happy to humbly use their skills and work together.They never dwell on anything too longThe next thing to do is always making itself known.They love their surroundings so have no desire to travel.Although they have a few trucks and boatsNone are inspired to use them.They love their lives and their simple food,They make their own clothes,Spend time in their gardens while speaking to neighborsThey take the greatest pleasure being with family.Even though there is a bus to the city that travels through every weekEveryone here will be content without ever having made the trip.