Today I started with Mark Greg and he chose #81 as we talked about his Son and getting a new partner. Melissa joined me for #14 and Linda E joined for #25, which was very absorbing.
#14 "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Look and there is nothing to see.
Listen and there is nothing to hear.
Reach and there is nothing to grasp.
These three nothings, come together,
They combine and are one.
This is a mystery and cannot be named.
It is present within all manifestation
And is forever retuning to nothing.
So subtle it cannot be identified,
So conspicuous it is never hidden.
Consider a time before history
To show you how to yield.
You cannot know (if you're doing) it
You cannot prove (that you're doing) it,
But still you can be (doing) it.
You are using it now, but for what?
#25 "I Call it Tao"
Before the manifestation of heaven there is void
It is still and has no form.
Inexhaustible it reaches everywhere
It is at the core of everything.
Since names became important
It has been called Tao.
It flows among manifestation without resistance
Inside, outside, conscience and subconscious.
Tao is great.
Universes are great.
Planets are great.
Beings are great.
These four are all great and follow the law of their principle;
All beings follow their planet,
Planets follow their universe,
Universes follow Tao,
Tao follows only its nature.
#81 "Blossoming Leader"
True words may not sound comforting
Yet comfort those they are meant for,
However, comforting words are never true.
Connected to source there is no desire to prove
Desire to prove only exposes separation from source.
The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation.
Giving away her possessions she only receives more.
Tao blesses everyone in this way.
When this blessing can be received,
Domination and power will yield
While all people will blossom as leaders.

I started us off the Chrismas with #1 and was joind by Jay K for that and then #17. Johnny joined and chose #44 and we talked a bit about Rauhnachte for a bit and 12 days of the Rough Nights.
#1 "Expressing Tao"
Words are particular,
They cannot express Tao.
To have a name is to be limited to manifestation
That which is nameless is the source of manifestation.
Self-referential, those who name, name themselves.
Want to experience the depth of the mystery? Stop identifying.
Want to experience the shallowness of the manifestation? Differentiate.
Either way no one can tell,
The difference is in your experience.
#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"
In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.
Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.
After having created the position
The people feared their leaders,
Then they despised them.
Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.
Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.
When there are great Masters there are no leaders
She works day and night and says nothing about it,
When the work is done the people say
"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"
#44 "The Influence of Excess"
Fame or integrity; which of these do you focus on seeing and obtaining?
Possessions or fulfillment; in which do you spend your time investing?
Success or failure; of which has offered you the most growth?
Under the influence you spend yourself
Accumulating only loss and regret.
Fulfill your needs and be content,
When you know excess is excessive
You'll be open to receiving harmony.

A very Merry Christmas eve morning started with Melissa and her hot Chocolate and #17. Marianne joine me for #27 and V A joined for #81 and a chat about her father and wht she learned from him.
#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"
In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.
Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.
After having created the position
The people feared their leaders,
Then they despised them.
Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.
Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.
When there are great Masters there are no leaders
She works day and night and says nothing about it,
When the work is done the people say
"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"
#27 "The Mystery of the Process"
Although a good traveler may have plans
They are not rigid, nor is the outcome.
Although a good artist creates,
The creations are arrived at through intuition.
Although a good scientist observes
It is done for the first time every time.
By embodying these strategies
The Master accepts everyone
And makes use of every situation,
Nothing is wasted and
Every moment is imbued with light.
What is the good if not a vision for the bad?
What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?
Accept this completely,
Or you will suffer in all you do.
It is the great secret.
#81 "Blossoming Leader"
True words may not sound comforting
Yet comfort those they are meant for,
However, comforting words are never true.
Connected to source there is no desire to prove
Desire to prove only exposes separation from source.
The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation.
Giving away her possessions she only receives more.
Tao blesses everyone in this way.
When this blessing can be received,
Domination and power will yield
While all people will blossom as leaders.

Today I spoke with Marianne about #59 and her frustrations with Christmas, Melissa about #12 and her full teaching day on Dec 23rd, thenTruth joined me for #9 after which Jay K got #68.
#9 "The Danger of Extremes"
Having to prove yourself
Will allow challenges to best you.
Focus your attention on money
And lose sight of what is valuable.
Keep in mind outside influence
And you will be its prisoner.
Do what you do and move on,
It isn't yours anyway.
#12 "The Senses"
Colors blind the eyes of men.
Sounds deafen the ears of men.
Flavors dull the tongues of men.
Thoughts will lead a mind to turmoil.
Desires and greed will lead a life to turmoil.
Therefore, the Master satisfies her inner vision
Allowing external cravings to come and go.
#59 "Serving Others"
While serving others, be as reserved as you can be.
Be like Tao, nurture all things without influencing them.
This is possible through moderation
Free yourself from the constraints of your own ideas.
Respect all things as they are and remove their limits.
Embrace this virtue and your limits are removed as well.
Find within yourself both solid ground and yielding sky.
Be at one with Tao and the landscape creates itself.
Limitless you achieve immortality.
#68 "Do What you Love to Do"
Great athletes love to play, not win
Great fighters love to fight, not be angry
Great generals love to strategize, not destroy
Great employers love to employ, not be a boss.
Great musicians love to play, not perform.
They are not attached to identities or outcomes,
They simply dance with what they love to do.
This is in harmony with Tao.

Today Melissa and I had a deep discussion about wanting before she chose #24 and then Jay K joined me for #28.
#24 "Do What is to be Done"
Standing on tiptoes robs you of firm footing.
Rushing ahead robs you of knowing where you are.
Looking at yourself robs you of seeing.
Boasting of yourself robs you of your brilliance.
Overpowering others robs you of your power.
Clinging to your work robs you of longevity.
If you want to align with Tao
Just do what is to be done and then stop.
#28 "Knowing There's Depth in the Shallow"
Know the world through the masculine
But access your power through the feminine:
In this way, you will be open to receive.
If you can receive then your actions will support,
They will never be forced, and you will be innocent.
Know the world through the light
But connect to it within the dark:
In this way, you will be open to the truth.
If you can see truth, manifestation will not fool you,
It will fall away, and nothing will elude you.
Know the world through the particular
But know there is no particular here:
In this way, you will accept all things.
If you can accept all things, you will be a beacon
That will guide you, and all beings, back to source.
The manifestation was formed from the void.
The Master knows the manifestation
Yet stays focused on the void within it.
That is how she uses all things.

Today was a simple day with only Melissa joining me for #25, and I selected #80, both of which got covered extensivly.
#25 "I Call it Tao"
Before the manifestation of heaven there is void
It is still and has no form.
Inexhaustible it reaches everywhere
It is at the core of everything.
Since names became important
It has been called Tao.
It flows among manifestation without resistance
Inside, outside, conscience and subconscious.
Tao is great.
Universes are great.
Planets are great.
Beings are great.
These four are all great and follow the law of their principle;
All beings follow their planet,
Planets follow their universe,
Universes follow Tao,
Tao follows only its nature.
#80 "What's Important"
Any state wishing to align with Tao remains small.
Too many people bring about too many options and opinions.
In a small State its inhabitants are skilled and wise
However there is never a need to put their skills on display
They will be happy to humbly use their skills and work together.
They never dwell on anything too long
The next thing to do is always making itself known.
They love their surroundings so have no desire to travel.
Although they have a few trucks and boats
None are inspired to use them.
They love their lives and their simple food,
They make their own clothes,
Spend time in their gardens while speaking to neighbors
They take the greatest pleasure being with family.
Even though there is a bus to the city that travels through every week
Everyone here will be content without ever having made the trip.

Today we covered the 7s, Julia joined me for #37, Marianne for #27 and Jay K for #17
#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"
In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.
Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.
After having created the position
The people feared their leaders,
Then they despised them.
Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.
Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.
When there are great Masters there are no leaders
She works day and night and says nothing about it,
When the work is done the people say
"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"
#27 "The Mystery of the Process"
Although a good traveler may have plans
They are not rigid, nor is the outcome.
Although a good artist creates,
The creations are arrived at through intuition.
Although a good scientist observes
It is done for the first time every time.
By embodying these strategies
The Master accepts everyone
And makes use of every situation,
Nothing is wasted and
Every moment is imbued with light.
What is the good if not a vision for the bad?
What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?
Accept this completely,
Or you will suffer in all you do.
It is the great secret.
#37 "Inspired Action"
Tao never does anything
Yet inspires everything to do.
When beings maintain the action of Tao
They spontaneously transform from within.
When that transformation acquires a name (an identity)
External forces inspire actions from desire.
Actions without identity
Are free from external goals.
Without desire, honoring stillness,
All things are at peace.

Today Started off with Step Ross for her second time on the show and she selected #39 then Loyce came up after a long hiatus and selected #10. Melissa and Jay K rounded off the show with #71 and#20 respectively.
#10 "Authentic Action"
Can you control your mind, so it doesn't wonder?
Can you control your body, so it doesn't wander?
Can you endorse all that you do?
Can you love everyone so as to inspire them?
Can you do all this without interfering and remain unknown?
Can you leave behind knowing and open yourself to understanding?
Can you be like Tao and give birth
Without possessing?
Can you be like Tao and act
Without expecting?
Can you be like Tao and lead
without dominating?
If so, it would be considered great.
#20 "Stop Learning"
Stop your learning, it has not been helpful.
There is no difference between yes and no,
Nor between good and evil.
Most people would never know that,
They define the manifestation as others have
And foolishly give up themself in favor of that.
Everyone else wants to be excited
I prefer the darkness,
I prefer to not care,
Like a fool I have no direction.
Everyone else has abundance,
While I seem to have lost it all.
Within me there is still no striving,
It appears I am in chaos.
Ordinary men look bright and intelligent
While I alone seem dull and confused.
Aimless as if on the sea, drifting with nowhere to rest.
I don't aspire to be like others
I am nourished by Tao.
#39 "Unity"
Unity is the standard
When achieved, all things are harmonious.
Heaven achieved it through purity.
Planets achieved it through solidity.
Beings achieve it through purpose (life),
Generation after generation,
Every individual being finds
Their own unity, their own harmony.
If Heaven were to lose its purity
So too its union with the Planets.
If Planets were to lose their solidity
So too their union with Beings.
If beings were to lose their purpose (lives)
Without unity, all would perish and decay.
The Master honors everything in every form,
She knows that there is nothing between the highest and lowest,
Differentiating we lose touch with Unity.
Always adjusting to find Unity
The Master lets herself be lived,
Constantly being renewed and shaped by Tao,
Rugged and full of resolve.
#71 "To Know We Don't Know"
To be aware that one does not know is healthy for all things.
Avoiding awareness of this is a current plague.
By acknowledging you have been infected
You can become aware and move toward healing.
The Master has cured herself
She is aware that she does not know.
She is healthy in all aspects.

Today I kicked off with #70 Lo dropped in briefly to pick random #56 and Terry had #17 after which Jay K got #20 as a random number.
#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"
In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.
Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.
After having created the position
The people feared their leaders,
Then they despised them.
Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.
Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.
When there are great Masters there are no leaders
She works day and night and says nothing about it,
When the work is done the people say
"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"
#20 "Stop Learning
Stop your learning, it has not been helpful.
There is no difference between yes and no,
Nor between good and evil.
Most people would never know that,
They define the manifestation as others have
And foolishly give up themself in favor of that.
Everyone else wants to be excited
I prefer the darkness,
I prefer to not care,
Like a fool I have no direction.
Everyone else has abundance,
While I seem to have lost it all.
Within me there is still no striving,
It appears I am in chaos.
Ordinary men look bright and intelligent
While I alone seem dull and confused.
Aimless as if on the sea, drifting with nowhere to rest.
I don't aspire to be like others
I am nourished by Tao.
#56 "Learn to be Silent"
Those who know, aren't drawn to speak
Those who don't know, are compelled to.
Can you close your senses and your mouth?
Can you be guided by the empty void?
From there, meditate in silence,
Blunt your sarcasm and wit,
Simplify your struggles,
Shade your brilliance.
Be at one with the dust,
This is primal existence.
Be like the Master:
She is uninspired to acquire fame
Yet honors are bestowed upon her.
She is possessed by no one and possesses no one
Yet is always loved by many.
She is Immune to both attraction and repulsion,
Receptive to both profit and loss.
She is noble and is held in high esteem by all beings.
#70 "These Teachings"
These teachings are simple and transform lives
Yet mere intellect cannot grasp them.
These teachings are older than life and benefit all things,
Yet people prefer the manifestation.
Very few people will ever truly understand what is written herein
But for those few, these pages will guide them to themselves.
Meanwhile, they will be labeled as course and uncaring
In the manifestation they are seen as dull and disinterested
Yet, in their heart, shines a light for all things.

Today I started off talking about #72 and Marianne joine me in that discussion and chaose #27 for herself.
#27 "The Mystery of the Process"
Although a good traveler may have plans
They are not rigid, nor is the outcome.
Although a good artist creates,
The creations are arrived at through intuition.
Although a good scientist observes
It is done for the first time every time.
By embodying these strategies
The Master accepts everyone
And makes use of every situation,
Nothing is wasted and
Every moment is imbued with light.
What is the good if not a vision for the bad?
What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?
Accept this completely,
Or you will suffer in all you do.
It is the great secret.
#72 "With Nothing to Teach"
The knowledgeable, having lost their sense of awe, seek to be entertained.
Losing themselves in that process, they turn to more knowledgeable authorities.
Do not make light of what is important to people, and they will respect you.
Therefore, The Master, although she knows herself, she is not arrogant.
She loves herself as she is, but she also loves others as they are.
She has nothing to teach, and the knowledgeable have nothing to learn.

I kicked it all off with #56 and that respnated with Melissa who joined for #43. Jay K came up and chose #30 and I rounded the message with #60.
#30 "Tao Does Not Dominate"
Governing, in any capacity, when led by Tao
Doesn't use force to gain power.
Every force applied will suffer equal counterforce.
So violence, however it is intended,
Will always rebound upon itself.
Where armies march briers grow
And in their wake follows hunger and villainy.
Skillful in what she does
The Master achieves her goal and stops;
Neither forcing nor manipulating further.
She knows that dominating
Goes counter to Tao
And whoever opposes Tao
Will certainly die early.
#43 "Be Silent and Learn"
The flexible will outlast the ridged.
The gentle will outlast the hard.
Tao, which has no structure, has penetrated all
Even that which has no space to enter.
Through this I see that unforced action, and silence are the only
#56 "Learn to be Silent"
Those who know, aren't drawn to speak
Those who don't know, are compelled to.
Can you close your senses and your mouth?
Can you be guided by the empty void?
From there, meditate in silence,
Blunt your sarcasm and wit,
Simplify your struggles,
Shade your brilliance.
Be at one with the dust,
This is primal existence.
Be like the Master:
She is uninspired to acquire fame
Yet honors are bestowed upon her.
She is possessed by no one and possesses no one
Yet is always loved by many.
She is Immune to both attraction and repulsion,
Receptive to both profit and loss.
She is noble and is held in high esteem by all beings.
#60 "Combating Evil"
While governing anything, use restraint,
Treat it like cooking a small bit of fish,
Getting it perfect takes less than you think.
Centering all things in Tao,
Evil, with nothing to oppose,
Returns to a state of illusion.
All harm dissipates in the face of those that know their true selves.

I started by talking about #1 and Melissa joined me for that. Day came up and talked more about it as well until she picked #25. Jay K then joined for a break down of her #61
#1 "Expressing Tao"
Words are particular,
They cannot express Tao.
To have a name is to be limited to manifestation
That which is nameless is the source of manifestation.
Self-referential, those who name, name themselves.
Want to experience the depth of the mystery? Stop identifying.
Want to experience the shallowness of the manifestation? Differentiate.
Either way no one can tell,
The difference is in your experience.
#25 "I Call it Tao"
Before the manifestation of heaven there is void
It is still and has no form.
Inexhaustible it reaches everywhere
It is at the core of everything.
Since names became important
It has been called Tao.
It flows among manifestation without resistance
Inside, outside, conscience and subconscious.
Tao is great.
Universes are great.
Planets are great.
Beings are great.
These four are all great and follow the law of their principle;
All beings follow their planet,
Planets follow their universe,
Universes follow Tao,
Tao follows only its nature.
#61 "Being Great"
Being great requires the ability to be humble
So as to receive that which is attracted with tranquility.
Attraction is the most primal of expressions
To receive that which is attracted is to know oneself.
All great beings realize when they error, having realized it
They admit it and correct it to the best of their ability.
The greatest beings seek out those who can help identify their faults,
They consider their enemy a part of themselves that requires attention.
To be centered in Tao is to nourish all related things,
To not interfere or meddle in the errors of others.

Today I had Jay K join me for #20 and Marianne came up for #6 then Julie for #78. Lind E thne joined and selected #6 which we went over again.
#6 "The Great Feminine"
Everything is born from the feminine,
Even Heaven and Earth.
The Feminine that births is a Mother,
She nourishes and supports without possessing.
Despite your awareness of it
You are using it right now.
#20 "Stop Learning"
Stop your learning, it has not been helpful.
There is no difference between yes and no,
Nor between good and evil.
Most people would never know that,
They define the manifestation as others have
And foolishly give up themself in favor of that.
Everyone else wants to be excited
I prefer the darkness,
I prefer to not care,
Like a fool I have no direction.
Everyone else has abundance,
While I seem to have lost it all.
Within me there is still no striving,
It appears I am in chaos.
Ordinary men look bright and intelligent
While I alone seem dull and confused.
Aimless as if on the sea, drifting with nowhere to rest.
I don't aspire to be like others
I am nourished by Tao.
#78 "Living in a Damaged State"
Air and water are the softest things we know,
Causing no damage to those that live within them
Yet both erode the hard or rigid in their path.
The soft and flexible will always overcome.
While the hard and rigid eventually collapse.
Ordinary men are well aware of this
However, they prefer conspicuous outcomes.
Thus they align with rigid hardness,
It stands firm for a time, but does not last.
Therefore, the Master teaches us that
We can live amongst things that damage
Without being damaged by them.

A great day with a couple new guests, Step Ross joined me fo her first Tao #22 as well as Linda K for her #2 then I had Jay K and Melissa join for # 16 and #25.
#2 "Identifying the Manifestation"
Opposites exist amongst the particular.
Identifying the beautiful creates the ugly.
Identifying good creates evil.
Identifying the particular separates all manifestations:
Reality and fantasy are opposing thoughts.
Difficult and easy are opposing degrees.
Long and short are opposing perceptions of time or space.
Because of this the Master doesn't rely on words.
She teaches by being without explanation,
In this way she is the most helpful.
She inspires all things to be without rejecting them.
She gives them life but refuses to possess them.
Her actions spring forth from perfection,
They are not hers to own
Thus they will never be forgotten.
#16 "Stillness and Integration"
Being empty of mind is of the utmost importance
And it is to be guarded with fervor.
We have all seen states of action arise,
And always beyond it returns stillness.
When any state of action is complete
It naturally returns to stillness.
This allows integration of what arose from action
Which is the natural cycle of maturation.
If stillness and integration cannot be achieved
Constant action will lead to anxiety and wild movements.
Yielding to stillness makes one impartial,
And all particular things fall away,
Then when it is time to die
One can be impartial to that as well.
#22 "Looking Away from What You Want"
To become complete
Know that you're partial.
To become straight
Know that you're crooked.
To become full
Know that you're empty.
To be new
Know that you're worn out.
He who wants it all
Must know what all includes.
Thus, the Master stays centered in Tao
And becomes an example for the world.
Because she knows her light is forfeit
People can see it.
Because she has no point to prove
People can trust her words.
Because she has no identity
She becomes a mirror for others.
Because she has nothing to attain
Nothing can be kept from her.
Thus, when it is said
"To become complete know that you're partial."
It is wise to heed and surrender to it.
Only by living in collaboration with Tao
Can one find completion.
#25 "I Call it Tao"
Before the manifestation of heaven there is void
It is still and has no form.
Inexhaustible it reaches everywhere
It is at the core of everything.
Since names became important
It has been called Tao.
It flows among manifestation without resistance
Inside, outside, conscience and subconscious.
Tao is great.
Universes are great.
Planets are great.
Beings are great.
These four are all great and follow the law of their principle;
All beings follow their planet,
Planets follow their universe,
Universes follow Tao,
Tao follows only its nature.

Today I had the teachers come up and talk baout their recent expereinces starting with Melissa and #79 and then Marianne and #68. Jay K also popped up to give a synopsis through her #58.
#58 "To Oversee, Don't Interfere"
In overseeing anything, don't interfere,
Let everything flourish in its own time.
Interfering, you get met with resistance
Or worse, apathetic adherence.
Misery and misfortune are tied to expectation.
To expect success is to focus on failure,
To expect happiness is to invite misery,
To expect moral adherence is to flirt with tragedy.
There is no escaping it, expecting good yields bad,
This is interfering, it has always been true.
The Master therefore is content to simply be an example
She has no desire to impose, and trusts all she oversees,
She is firm but yielding, she is sharp, yet none are cut by her
She is radiant, but easy on the eyes.
#68 "Do What you Love to Do"
Great athletes love to play, not win
Great fighters love to fight, not be angry
Great generals love to strategize, not destroy
Great employers love to employ, not be a boss.
Great musicians love to play, not perform.
They are not attached to identities or outcomes,
They simply dance with what they love to do.
This is in harmony with Tao.
#79 "Conflict Resolution"
Every conflict creates an "Other"
Even after a resolution, animosity remains.
Is that good enough for you?
Therefore, the Master always does her part
Keeping the peace, not placing blame,
Correcting her own actions,
Without requiring the same from others.
Tao doesn't care who's right
If you do, you'll find it difficult.

Today a great group of conversations started with Lo and #80, Jay Kay then joined me for an enlightening #62. And Marianne came up to address a few issues with #52.
#52 "Like Tao so too You"
All things issue from Tao, it is their mother
Then, in their own time, they return to Tao.
Like Tao, so too you act in the world of manifestation.
When you recognize you are the mother of your experience
You can identify the children your actions birth,
Loving them as your children you free yourself of sorrow.
Choose to not recognize your motherhood,
A victim, filled with desire and judgment,
There will be no end to your turmoil.
Look into the darkness and learn how to yield,
Not allowing your senses to guide you,
You will find peace in ever crevasse.
#62 "Everybody's Treasure"
Tao benefits all things
A treasure for those who know
An opportunity for those who don't.
To witness one act or speak to gain position
Know they are under the influence of manifestation,
Be like Tao and do not abandon them,
For knowing Tao is learned by example.
Therefore, when a new leader takes office
Don't offer words, gifts, or actions
Offer instead to teach them Tao.
Why is Tao so universally loved?
Because if you acknowledge it or not
Tao is your treasure,
Always in harmony
Every mistake forgiven.
#80 "What's Important"
Any state wishing to align with Tao remains small.
Too many people bring about too many options and opinions.
In a small State its inhabitants are skilled and wise
However there is never a need to put their skills on display
They will be happy to humbly use their skills and work together.
They never dwell on anything too long
The next thing to do is always making itself known.
They love their surroundings so have no desire to travel.
Although they have a few trucks and boats
None are inspired to use them.
They love their lives and their simple food,
They make their own clothes,
Spend time in their gardens while speaking to neighbors
They take the greatest pleasure being with family.
Even though there is a bus to the city that travels through every week
Everyone here will be content without ever having made the trip.

Six people joined me today, and it was all connected but I started off feeling quite disconnected. Loa started us off with #6 Jay K joined after that with #73. Melissa chose #26, Keristen joine and selected #5 after which Mary Way asked to go through #34 and Jennifer and I talked about #56.
#5 "Impartial"
Nature doesn't care,
It knows everything is more than it seems.
The Master doesn't care,
She knows that as well.
It is good to be empty
Thus the Master embraces the void.
Like a bellows, she produces from emptiness.
Stay centered.
#16 "Stillness and Integration"
Being empty of mind is of the utmost importance
And it is to be guarded with fervor.
We have all seen states of action arise,
And always beyond it returns stillness.
When any state of action is complete
It naturally returns to stillness.
This allows integration of what arose from action
Which is the natural cycle of maturation.
If stillness and integration cannot be achieved
Constant action will lead to anxiety and wild movements.
Yielding to stillness makes one impartial,
And all particular things fall away,
Then when it is time to die
One can be impartial to that as well.
#26 "Wasted Movement"
Without knowing darkness
Light is mysterious and distracting.
Without knowing stillness
All movement is wasted.
This is why the Master travels
And never leaves home.
No matter how amazing the manifestation
She knows there is nothing that she is not.
Why should anyone seek to be influenced or entertained?
If you let yourself be entertained
You lose touch with your root.
If you let yourself be influenced
You lose touch with who you are.
#34 "Tao is in Everything"
Tao flows in every direction
And is received by all things
Regardless of their awareness.
Beings are born from it
Yet it doesn't create them.
It's work is every action taken
Providing for everything
Yet it makes no claim.
Being at the root of all things
It is hidden within action.
It has no motive, no desire
It promotes the greatness of beings
Thus its greatness is humble and pure.
#56 "Learn to be Silent"
Those who know, aren't drawn to speak
Those who don't know, are compelled to.
Can you close your senses and your mouth?
Can you be guided by the empty void?
From there, meditate in silence,
Blunt your sarcasm and wit,
Simplify your struggles,
Shade your brilliance.
Be at one with the dust,
This is primal existence.
Be like the Master:
She is uninspired to acquire fame
Yet honors are bestowed upon her.
She is possessed by no one and possesses no one
Yet is always loved by many.
She is Immune to both attraction and repulsion,
Receptive to both profit and loss.
She is noble and is held in high esteem by all beings.
#73 "Nothing Falls Through"
There are men who love feeling, and to feel they kill.
There are men who love feeling, and to do so remain calm.
Who is to say which will experience more turmoil?
There is purpose in walking with death, as there is in walking with life.
The inner workings of Tao can never be understood;
It makes no commands, yet all things come on their own accord;
It never acts; but all things act on its behalf;
It is empty, yet within it lays all things and their Master Plans.
Tao is a net holding all things together, connected.
Its mesh is wide, but it holds so well nothing falls through.

Today I talked about respecting the Children when Lo joined me for #63 and then Marianne came up and we read #14.
#14 "Hidden in Plain Sight"
Look and there is nothing to see.
Listen and there is nothing to hear.
Reach and there is nothing to grasp.
These three nothings, come together,
They combine and are one.
This is a mystery and cannot be named.
It is present within all manifestation
And is forever retuning to nothing.
So subtle it cannot be identified,
So conspicuous it is never hidden.
Consider a time before history
To show you how to yield.
You cannot know (if you're doing) it
You cannot prove (that you're doing) it,
But still you can be (doing) it.
You are using it now, but for what?
#63 "Problems are no Problem"
Be still and you will act without doing,
Be still and your work will happen regularly.
Be still and your senses will engage the subtle.
Similarly engage a stranger as the multitude.
See the majesty of mountains in a grain of sand.
The Master knows greatness cannot be grasped.
Remaining still, she allows greatness to flow through her.
With no desire to achieve it, her stillness guides her,
Making subtle movements the difficult seems easy.
She knows that all of life is not without its problems
So problems turn out to be no problem at all.

Today I talked a lot about #22, collaberation, and how everything in life is collaboritive. Melissa joined me for #48 and it was spot on for her remembering that everything is stupid.
#22 "Looking Away from What You Want"
To become complete
Know that you're partial.
To become straight
Know that you're crooked.
To become full
Know that you're empty.
To be new
Know that you're worn out.
He who wants it all
Must know what all includes.
Thus, the Master stays centered in Tao
And becomes an example for the world.
Because she knows her light is forfeit
People can see it.
Because she has no point to prove
People can trust her words.
Because she has no identity
She becomes a mirror for others.
Because she has nothing to attain
Nothing can be kept from her.
Thus, when it is said
"To become complete know that you're partial."
It is wise to heed and surrender to it.
Only by living in collaboration with Tao
Can one find completion.
#48 "The More you Know"
Pursuing knowledge, you accumulate daily,
Turning your true nature into a commodity.
Pursuing Tao, you unburden daily,
Allowing your true nature to guide you.
The Master unburdens herself again and again
Diminishing, releasing, and deprogramming,
Until finally there is nothing left to be.
When there is nothing to be, there is nothing to do
And everything gets accomplished regardless.

Today I started with Lo and I picked #50, and read Stephan Mitchell's for her. Then I picked a random number for Marianne which was #30 and Susan joined me for #62
#30 "Tao Does Not Dominate"
Governing, in any capacity, when led by Tao
Doesn't use force to gain power.
Every force applied will suffer equal counterforce.
So violence, however it is intended,
Will always rebound upon itself.
Where armies march briers grow
And in their wake follows hunger and villainy.
Skillful in what she does
The Master achieves her goal and stops;
Neither forcing nor manipulating further.
She knows that dominating
Goes counter to Tao
And whoever opposes Tao
Will certainly die early.
#50 (Stephen Mitchell)
The Master gives himself up
to whatever the moment brings.
He knows that he is going to die,
and her has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind,
no resistances in his body.
He doesn't think about his actions;
they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life;
therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep
after a good day's work.
#62 "Everybody's Treasure"
Tao benefits all things
A treasure for those who know
An opportunity for those who don't.
To witness one act or speak to gain position
Know they are under the influence of manifestation,
Be like Tao and do not abandon them,
For knowing Tao is learned by example.
Therefore, when a new leader takes office
Don't offer words, gifts, or actions
Offer instead to teach them Tao.
Why is Tao so universally loved?
Because if you acknowledge it or not
Tao is your treasure,
Always in harmony
Every mistake forgiven.