Another Word for Grace

Those who fear that the world
is threatened by demons
do not understand Tao.

What is Tao?
Another word for grace.

Familiar and Exotic

Seen in one context, it looks familiar.
Seen in another context, it looks exotic.

The familiar teaches mindlessness.
The exotic teaches vigilance.

What is the middle way?
The choice to see all things as new.

Husk

Who we are is
only part of who we are.

What else do we carry inside?
What will live beyond us?

What seeds do we husk?

Grinding Time

The present grinds future into past
like a mill crushing a river of corn.

What mattered before was for before.
What will matter after will be for after.
What matters now is for now.

But always,
what matters now is what matters.

Easy Decision

How do we make room for each other
on a planet of shrinking resources,
growing populations, and warming seas?

How do we help each other have a chance
not only to survive but also to thrive?

How do we motivate one another to take
responsibility for our own individual lives --
to "get up and do what needs to be done"?

How do we heal our political wounds
and learn to treat each other as humans again?

How can we accomplish such impossible tasks?

By deciding to.

Split Mind, Singular Mind

A split mind asks
do I go right or left?

But a split mind
will never reach
a singular answer.

Singular answers
only come to
singular minds.

A split mind offers
a more interesting
conversation, though.

The Best Path into the Future

How do we figure out the best path into the future?
By being completely present in this moment.

Easing the Way Through Pain

When we ease the way
for someone in crisis or pain,
we build community.

When we build community,
we ease our own pain.

Where Nothing Is Free

Where nothing is free,
nothing is sacred.

Where nothing is feared,
everything is sacred.

What Do You Believe?

Tell me what you believe,
and I'll know how you see.

When I know how you see,
I'll know what you see.

When I know what you see,
I'll understand what you do.

This works both ways.

Two Minds

Split mind.
Single mind.

One is broad.
One is deep.

One roams.
One runs straight.

One stalls action.
One stalls thought.

Deep Music

Grace wells up
out of solid ground
when it needs to.
Like lava. Like water.
Like the stem of a tree.

Whatever comes
from that far down
carries wisdom.

Deep music
worth listening to.