Going With the Flow - Tales of the Tao #1

"In the world of knowledge, every day something new is added.  In pursuit of the Tao, every day something is let go.  Lao Tzu

Once Confucius was looking down into a gorge where a great waterfall crashed down to a huge rolling chasm so violent that no fish, tortoises or even alligators could survive there. Suddenly he noticed an old man appear to tumble over the falls into the maelstrom.  Horrified, Confucius, along with several of his disciples, ran downstream in hope of saving the poor unfortunate, only to find him strolling merrily along the bank, singing to himself.

Cautiously, Confucius approached the old man and said to him, 'I thought at first that you were some sort of spirit, but now I can see that you are a man of flesh and blood.  Tell me, how in the world did you manage to survive that plunge into the river?'

"Oh that,' answered the man.  'That is simple, I merely entered the water at the center of its whirl.  I let myself flow along with it, not trying to impose my will upon it, then I left when it whirled the opposite way.  It is all completely natural to me.'

'What do you mean by this?' asked Confucius.  'How can this be natural to you?'

'Well,' answered the man, already beginning to wander off again, 'I grew up on dry land so am at home upon it.  At the same time, I also grew up by the river and so am at home in the water.  I don't really know how I do these things, I just do them.  Therefore my success is assured.'  Chuan Tzu

"Who can be still while the muddy water settles?  Who can remain still until the time comes for action?"  Lao Tzu

Coaching Inquiry:  Do you find yourself being present with what is?  And...embracing it...as your life?  What is your practice that helps you to remain unattached?  For me it certainly takes practice and patience and coaching has been tremendously helpful.

Namaste,
Sheila