Month: October 2022

governance is like preparing a delicacy

attend with Tao
troubled spirits become impotent
not through loss of power
but restricted harm
the uncontrolled will not harm
the wise will not harm
when harm is not done
the heavens and earth are refreshed

to care for others and serve all things
it is best to engage restraint
reserve begins with corraling opinion
this is learned by attending to the past
with a good store of wisdom possibilities open
with possibilities the horizon widens
to see a larger picture enhances governance
this primal guide to care holds over time
here is found deep roots and a firm foundation
long life and ongoing vision

gentle governance
opens neighborliness
opinionated rule
heightens suspicion

happiness is still found in misery
despair still lurks in enjoyment
the future is still undetermined

where honesty is subverted
the dishonest claim the virtue
where goodness is suspect
delusion long endures

a wise leader is clear without insistence
direct without disparaging
persistent without demanding
brilliant without blinding

lead a community with justice
war with surprise tactics
these are mastered without struggle
confirm this

increase restrictive laws
poor people become poorer
sharpen weapons
draw more trouble
ingenuity and cleverness
make room for stranger things
the stricter laws become
the more robbers and thieves thrive

become one who affirms
take no action and teach good behavior
enjoying peace models honest living
not scrounging for one more penny promotes prosperity
participating in Tao returns life to life

to know is to know
to talk of knowing is to talk of knowing

close your explanation
safeguard your senses
ease you edginess
clarify your problem
veil your brightness
anticipate oneness with dust
these are primary steps

those practiced in achieving this knowing
no longer distinguish friend from enemy
good from harm or honor from disgrace
this is deep satisfaction

open to being filled by Tao
is similar to being a newborn
the venomous will not harm
a beast’s tooth  not tear
a bird of prey not carry you away
with soft bones and out-of-phase muscles
but a firm grip
inexperienced with sexual congress
nonetheless whole
you have strength
to cry on key all the day
harmony is yours

harmony becomes a practice
practice expresses enlightenment

to rush is not wise
unstrained breath leads a long return
untrained energy becomes exhaustion
weariness is not the way
that contrary to Tao is but froth

that firmly grounded cannot be uprooted
that firmly grasped cannot escape
generation by generation these are honored

nourish integrity and it becomes real
support it in the family and it grows
resource it in the village and it is perpetuated
tax for it in the nation and it becomes abundant
loose it into the universe and it backgrounds every act

trust the body as body
trust family to be family
trust a village to become neighbors
trust the nation to remember its intention
trust the universe to follow its trajectory

how can this be known
by trusting honorable integrity

with but a bit of sense
I will only fear straying from the main road
keeping to this way is simple
but distraction comes easily and often

when the city is beautified
the fields become weedy
silos empty
some are dressed to the nines
conceal a bejeweled glock
indulge in food fantasies
with more things than they can use
they are the richest of robbers
this is not Tao

a beginning universe
mother’s all that arises
to know this mother is to know the descendants
to know the offspring keeps contact with the mother
here is freedom from fear of death

in silence
senses are sharpened
life is full
in action
participation engages
life beyond hope

insight comes from acknowledging the small
strength yields to greater force
outer light serves insight
that removes harm
through learned integrity

things are received from Tao
nourished by integrity
formed in time
shaped by circumstance
respect of arising and presence is given
undemanded respect is given
a natural nature of things

then thousand things arise
nourished in their hunger
nurtured with care
comforted with shelter
protected while vulnerable
claimed before productive
credited before accomplishing
these are primal virtues