Something to See

Even where there
is nothing to see
there is always
something to see.

It just depends
on how deeply
we're willing to look.

Long Enough

No life lasts long enough
to be fully explored.
We all remain unknown.

But would I really want
to know myself completely?
What about myself
would I rather not know?

Long enough is long enough.

Unknown

My ego mind wants to be known.
My larger self knows it's better to be heard.

My ego mind wants to be loved.
My wiser self knows I already am.

My ego mind wants to be worshiped.
My deeper self knows it would destroy me.

To be known is nothing.
To be useful is a gift.

Powers of Indecision

Indecision grants
three powers.

The first is the power
to do nothing.

The second is the power
to impede others.

The third is the power
to deny what's coming.

Making Art

Each frame gives context.
Each frame binds together.
Each frame creates a whole.
Each frame makes art possible.

Never Satisfied

Satisfaction
is a resting place,
not a destination.

Hardest to Cross

The hardest
river to cross
isn't the widest
or the deepest
or the swiftest.

It's the river
that separates us
from loving those
who hurt us.

Not Alone in Living

Mercy is
like a stream
in a dry land.

It cools.
Quenches.
Washes clean.

It reminds us
we are not alone
in living.

Land of Necessary Watchers

Who is watching
the watcher?

Who is watching
the watcher's watcher?

There is no true peace
in a land of necessary watchers.

Two Desires

Some of my desires grow
out of a shallow place.

Some of my desires rise
up from greater depths.

The first tell me who I want to be.
The second tell me who I am.

Changing My Mind

I cannot change my life
until I change my mind.

When I change my mind,
my life follows suit.

What might happen when
I discover I can change my life?

Anything.

Three Powers

The power of light.
The power of darkness.
The power of the middle way.

The power of light sheds
wisdom and compassion.

The power of darkness offers
the grounding of experience.

The power of the middle way finds
wise compassion through experience.

Shared Path

When we share a path
with someone else
as we go along our way,
we each gain something
that will help us when
our paths diverge again.

Enough to Know

No matter what tribe we belong to,
we are all siblings under the skin.

But the only way we'll ever know this
is if we care enough to know it.

Living Forever

Living forever
is the same as living
in this moment.

Change makes us
think otherwise.

Holy Land

When we discover Tao,
we mark the place as sacred.

When we encounter God,
we claim the land as holy.

Tao doesn't make sacred places.
We do.

God doesn't create holy lands.
We do.

We forget that every place is sacred.
We forget that every land is holy.

What Lasts Forever

The only thing
that lasts forever
is this moment.

But even it
is forever changing.

Caring Is Caring

Breathing is breathing.
Walking is walking.
Caring is caring.

The first grounds me.
The second animates me.
The third saves me.

Consumables

Which are more significant,
all of the things we can buy
or the hands that make them?

Which are more essential,
all of the leftovers we throw out
or the backs that grow them?

Which are more valuable,
all of the labels we wear
or the fingers that sew them?

Hard Mountain

The hardest mountain to climb
is the mountain of my own faith.

The only way to the top
is to decide not to know.

When I give up knowing,
I become free to believe anything.

Mystery

Accepting what is not acceptable.
Nourishing what is not sustainable.
Caring for what is not lovable.
Enriching what is not generous.

This is how Tao remains a mystery.

So Easy to Forget

Beneath the clothes,
beyond the limits,
despite the fears,
behind the threats,
in spite of the customs,
regardless of the culture,
we are all sisters and brothers
under the skin.

What a shame
it's so easy to forget this.

Anybody's Guess

Even in darkness,
the wind across a lake
can wrinkle the surface
and send light anywhere.

Who will see its reflection
is anybody's guess.

This Moment Now

The past is dust and memory.
The future is never clear.

What I forget is that this moment
is the future I was trying to control,
the past I won't be able to change.

Before and after take care of themselves
when I give myself to this moment now.

No One Is Missing

Heaven
is communal.

No one
is missing.

Nothing
is left out.

Core

The center of God
is at the center
of every living thing.

The heart of Tao
is at the heart
of every breathing soul.

To see God,
look to the center.

To hear Tao,
listen to the heart.

See as a Child

To know Tao
is child's play.

But I must see
as a child
to know this.

Promises from God

Why would I need
promises from God?

Isn't God's presence
in my life enough?

Forgiving the Deeper Pain

Forgiving an enemy
for violence
is easier than
forgiving a friend
for meanness.

One is expected.
The other isn't.
The one that isn't
creates a deeper pain.

Pathfinder

Every community
sets its own rules,
but each of us must
follow our own path.

No one can guide us
the whole way.
We have to figure
that out for ourselves.