Living in Florida, I have learned much about hurricanes. For example, a category five is the strongest and a category one is the weakest. The key to surviving a hurricane is being prepared. Practice prepares us for the hurricanes of life. Practice gives us a solid foundation to stand on. Yet, here is a dichotomy. We [...]
In an orchestra, all musical instruments must be in tune. The musicians must all be playing the same key. They must always play to the same tempo. To do this is to produce a harmonic sound. In order for us to be in harmony, we must be in tune, in key, and in tempo [...]
If we are at the market, we may want to buy apples. But it is not that simple. When we get to the produce section, we see that there is not just one type of apple. There are red apples, green apples, golden apples and more. Even among these, there are different varieties; red delicious, [...]
Maybe one can compare beginning a practice of following the path with learning a foreign language. At first, it can be overwhelming; all the teachings to learn! Even after a little practice, few of us would be comfortable being dropped off in the middle of a strange city. To learn a little French and then find [...]
Enlightenment is very nice, but it is the ultimate. I am not so sure it should be our goal. It is like wanting to be the best in the world at something. It is very difficult to do. However, if our goal is more modest, we increase our chances. A golfer who is in the [...]
If you understand the love letters sent by the rain, the wind, the sun, and the snow, there is no need to read anything else. Real teaching does not come from a dusty book.
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I hear the truck roar
Far off on the interstate
My candle flickers
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When you are just learning Tai Chi, practicing the stances can be [...]
Some people try to interpret their dreams. They believe there is a hidden meaning to them. I am not an expert or a psychologist, but I do not think they mean much. All day long, we have thoughts that we may or may not act upon. They are just idle little thoughts passing by like [...]
When we follow the teachings of the Way, we gain clarity. The mind settles and like a lake the mud goes to the bottom and allows us to see. We can then dive in and not worry about hitting a large stone or the bottom of the lake and getting hurt. If we go through [...]
Bonsai trees are little trees you take care of in your home. They are delicate and have to be trimmed and properly watered. Our practice is like that. We have to maintain it so it will grow. That may mean trimming on occasion, making sure we do not under or over water it. We cannot [...]
I think it is important to have no attitude toward our practice. Why not a good attitude? Sometimes if we have a good attitude toward something, we might begin forming an attachment. Then, if we do not get that something, we suffer. With not attitude, we just practice without emotion. That is the best way [...]