Simplicity

(You know how some people pick a random page in the Bible or Tao Te Ching, or choose a Tarot card? Picture me with Einstein quotes. Heh.)

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction."
--Albert Einstein

I'm working to simplify my life. I'm slowing down, in a good way. Within a year, I'll have fewer expenses, fewer commitments, and more rewarding work. Just watch.

Existence

I came across the following while doing a Tarot reading with my sister this weekend, and felt a strong tug to post it here.


“You are not accidental. Existence needs you. Without you something will be missing in existence and nobody can replace it. That’s what gives you dignity,
that the whole existence will miss you.”

--Osho Zen Tarot: The Transcendental Game of Zen, p.5



Someone here needs to digest this, I think. Is it you?

A Good Day's Work

“The Master gives himself up
To whatever the moment brings.
…
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.”

--excerpt, Tao Te Ching 50, Mitchell translation


Do you fear death? Will you have any regrets at the end? Do you spend too much time at work, too much energy worrying about money, too much attention on what others have that you do not? Or do you live for today, milking each moment, tasting the stars, smelling the laughter, relishing the contrast?




I'm not perfect. I worry about money, I wonder how my kids will be affected by their father's absence, I cry about hurts. But more of my time and energy go to enjoying my kids, basking on my Tempurpedic bed, vibrating in pleasure with a cat's purr, savoring a gluten-free lemon wafer cookie on my tongue, feeling the joy from pleasures I know will arrive. I want even more of this.

How about you?

Voicemail

The other morning, my seven-year-old son woke before the rest of the house and took the opportunity to leave me a voicemail. His voice is all sneaky and quiet, so listen carefully:

Cat Feeling the Tao

The Science of Tao

"The evolving energies of Tao have been compared to quantum theory in physics. Subatomic energy patterns—the scientific equivalents of chi—are the creative force beneath all existence. This energy is not quite a particle, a predictable, solid form of matter. It’s not quite a wave, an action or process, but a combination of the two."

--The Tao of Inner Peace, Dreher, p. 139

Step Back

"Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity."

--Tao Te Ching 9, Mitchell translation



I'm selling my house and have my heart set on another, which is in such a position as to be easily snatched out from under me. I've put my intention to attract that house out there into the universe, and now am striving to let go. I'm not fixating on it, worrying about it, or stressing about it. Before I can buy another, or even make an offer on the one I want now, I need to have an offer on my house. I've been packing and cleaning and arranging and "staging" my home to sell, and while there is always more cleaning to do, I can let everything else go. The right people for this house will come, just as the right house will wait for me. I cannot make any of it happen sooner by fretting about it, or complaining about the passing time, or worrying that the best scenario may not play out. I know all will happen just as it should, regardless of whether it's in line with my own dream. I'm just going to do my work, and step back.






"Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner."

This is pretty self-explanatory, but I just felt compelled to emphasize it. Perhaps someone out there is meant to reflect on it.

Namaste, everyone. Thanks for reading!