The ancient masters of the Way 
aimed at the indiscernible 
and penetrated the dark
you would never know them 
I describe them with reluctance 
they were careful as if crossing a river in winter 
cautious as if worried about neighbors 
reserved like guests 
ephemeral like melting ice 
simple like uncarved wood 
open like a valley 
and murky like puddles 
but a puddle becomes clear 
when it’s still 
and stillness becomes alive when it’s roused 
those who treasure this Way 
don’t try to be seen
full not trying to be seen 
they can hide and stay hidden.

Ts’ao Tao-Ch’ung (Sung Dynasty nun 960-1278) comments:
Although the ancient masters lived in the world, no one thought they were special.
- Lao Tzu, The Tao Te Ching, translated by Red Pine

. . .

The ancient masters of the Way
Lived in ways, places
That allowed them to nurture their 
Relationship with their inner world.

If I made my relationship with my inner world
The priority
What in my life would change?

. . .

The excerpt above is from my book, now out of print, Wild Waters and the Tao. Occasional used copies come up. I hope to reprint it later in the year.

As Heron Dance has struggled over the last couple of months, and as I’ve struggled, I’ve talked to some long-time readers and supporters about what Heron Dance posts in the last couple of years they’ve found most interesting and useful. And I’ve been looking inside for answers. And doing a lot of painting. Today’s post emerged out of that process.