With Chapter 38, we practice implementing and growing the seeds sown in their antecedent. As with any change, we will face repeated choices that may grow easier over time, but not without setbacks. Chapter 81 will still challenge our understanding of Life, the Universe, and Everything, but the most difficult chapters are yet unwritten—what will we do with the next surprise that catches us off-guard while thinking we are doing so well?
In a sense, tests need to be reimagined. Their value is not a resulting grade, according to the giver of the test, but in our engagement with the test as an opportunity to further explore the edge between what we have come to know and what we have yet to sufficiently appreciate. A test is a lens clarifying a path toward a place where dragons dwell. Tests failed are as significant in our journey as those we easily Aced.
Even as Te cannot describe Tao, Te is never absent its background Tao. We find ourself in Tao and Tao in ourself. The mystery of this synchronicity keeps us returning to Tao and to ourself. Yet we do not return unchanged. Tao and Te find themselves gyring together. In phase and out of phase, they ascend and descend, go forth and return, together.
In an artificial transition from attending to Tao to attending to Te, we continue to be surprised by how they interact. We will learn more about Tao as we look more closely at Te. Be ready to make a Top 10 Te List and further adjust the Tao List.
“In a sense, tests need to be reimagined. Their value is not a resulting grade, according to the giver of the test, but in our engagement with the test as an opportunity to further explore the edge between what we have come to know and what we have yet to sufficiently appreciate. A test is a lens clarifying a path toward a place where dragons dwell. Tests failed are as significant in our journey as those we easily Aced.”
The tao that can be tested is not the eternal Tao.
The knowable that can be known is not the eternal Knowing.
The testless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The tested is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever untested, one is ever-present awareness.
Ever tested, one is pass/fail.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name:
this appears as unknowing.
Unknowing within unknowing.
The gate to all mystery.
(with apologies to Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English)
Very nice twist on tests. Wish I had done it.