Friday, August 31, 2012

Friends


Recognizing a friend
among strangers is easy.

Discovering an enemy
among friends is painful.

Finding a friend
among enemies is unnerving.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Face Time


Ink or no ink,
our lives are written
on the parchment
of our skin.

When we read
each other's stories,
we sojourn in 
each other's lives.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Not the Same


Religion is like the truth --
a double-edged sword --
but it is not the truth.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Paradox


Take as much as you can.
It will never be enough.

Give as much as you can.
It will never be too little.

Greed is never full.
Compassion is never empty.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Inner Limits


When we are intent
on destroying ourselves,
the only barrier that
will finally make us stop
is the line we find inside.

No outer wall will work.
No parent, no child,
no spouse, no friend,
no enemy, no boss.

Our best hope is to find
that inner limit quickly.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Heavy Burdens


How many faces
pass me every day
that I never see?

How many bodies
walk by on the street
that I never notice?

How many voices
fill the air around me
that I never hear?

Apathy is a heavy burden.
Empathy weighs even more.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Three Lessons


When there are three of us,
I learn about the others.

When there are two of us,
I learn about myself.

When there is only me,
I learn about Tao.

Friday, August 24, 2012

The Good Life


When the wealthy
finally have enough,
they'll be happy.

When they're happy,
the poor and the hungry 
will finally get bread.

This is how happiness
trickles down.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Wish List


If I wish pain and disaster on others, 
is it because they deserve it?
Or because I have more to learn?


Monday, August 20, 2012

Expectant


Silence is not silent.
Emptiness is not empty.

When I ask a question,
I should expect an answer.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Naive


Weary traveler
or awestruck tourist.
Which one travels farther?

Cynical teacher
or gullible student.
Which one learns more?

Charismatic preacher
or earnest believer.
Which one leads the way?

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Storm's Eye


The eye of the storm is calm.

Be still in the middle of chaos
if you want to find your center.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Seven Friends


One who listens.
One who says the right thing.
One who quotes others.
One who asks good questions.
One who pretends not to see.
One who stays behind.
One who knows when to go.

The one who won't hear
is not a friend.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Old News


Yesterday arrived yesterday.
Tomorrow will arrive tomorrow.
Only this moment can arrive now.

Live it before it becomes old news.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

More Than We Think


Talk is cheap.
Compassion is free.
We all have more to give
than we think.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Playing With Snakes


Life is what it is,
but does that mean
I should toy with a viper
just because it crosses
my path?

Monday, August 13, 2012

Soak



Stand in place
and lose your place.

Stay in motion
and never find rest.

Soak in Tao
and be at home anywhere.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Blind and Deaf


Humility doesn't hear hateful words.
Modesty doesn't register revenge.

Arrogance listens to envy.
Pride leads to deeper dark.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

What's Missing


What is missing
from this moment
that I need
at this moment?

My full attention.

When this moment
is gone, most likely
I'll never remember it

again.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Fear and Serenity


Fear arises from ego.
Serenity arises from Tao.

Serenity recedes in the face of ego.
Fear fades in the awareness of Tao.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Only Proof


Is there a God?
Does Tao exist?
Is Allah real?

The names are real,
but that proves nothing.

The only proof you have
is yourself.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Travel Notes


No matter which road you choose,
night will fall.

No matter which current you ride,
the river will twist and turn.

No matter which path you follow,
the wilderness will always be deep.

Travel as if you'll get
what you need along the way.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Need to Hurt


The need to hurt
arises from pain.
Pain arises from ego.
Ego arises from not seeing.
Not seeing arises from not looking.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

One for Now


Blue door.
Black door.
Red door.
White door.
Open door.

One for sorrow.
One for mystery.
One for thrill.
One for pain.
One for now.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Hidden


Clothes hide our nakedness.
Silence hides our wisdom.
Nothing hides our ignorance.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

At Table


When we sit down to eat,
even the table is a part
of our communion.