Fire

 

The Dao is a fire that is an eternal flame. It cannot be extinguished and it will burn on into infinity. No amount of water from the storms above, or wind whipping from the highest mountain passes can put it out. It reigns supreme over all. If you look deeply into it, you can look into the flames and see everything in the universe. The Dao creates all and yes, eventually destroys all. A fire can be similar. It can warm one on a cold autumn night or burn down an entire city. Ask a Chicagoan. It is everywhere and it stretches into the deepest of galaxies and beyond.

Not In The Stars

 

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. These words were written by Shakespeare. How true this is! It is far easier however to believe that somehow the fates are against us, that the stars and planets are not lining up for us to be happy or successful. It is the one who can look in the mirror and see the true problem. Often times the problem is staring back at us. We cause most of our own grief. We act badly or react badly. The key is knowing that we can be the director of the film as well as the actor. We can write the script. Ignore the critics and perform.

A Shining LIght

 

We can all become melancholic at one time or another over things in our life or in the world. It is only natural to sometimes feel this way. Remember though that in a world filled with treachery and darkness, the Dao remains the shining light of goodness and truth. Although the journey may become clouded with uncertainty, the way is always clear when we follow the path of the Dao. When the greedy, unkind world as we know it seeks to close its doors on you, the Dao will be there to keep the doors pried open so that you may see the sun.

Horizon

Learning is like the horizon; there is no limit, there is always farther to go. Yet most people act as though learning was a short cab ride to the next block or two. If we stop learning, we stop advancing. We become stagnant. There is an old Chinese saying about not worrying about whether you are going slow, just worry about standing still. These words are most truthful. No matter how much you think you know about the Dao, you are merely scratching the surface; you have but a small piece in an infinite puzzle.

Expectation

 

Is expectation the root of almost all heartache? Most definitely. To expect, to try to force, to try to manipulate, is not the way one travels in following the path of the Dao. Letting all things come to you, realizing all things as they are, and maintaining the Way is the way to oneness with the universe. Expectation is a fault we all as humans are born with. Learning to manage and minimize them is essential to inner peace.