The best of all rulers is but a shadowy presence to his subjects.
Next comes the ruler they love and praise;
Next comes one they fear;
Last comes one they treat with impertinence.
Only when there is not enough faith is there a lack of faith.
Hesitant, he does not utter words lightly.
When his task is accomplished and his work done
The people all say, "It happened to us naturally."
-- D.C. Lau, Chapter 17, Tao Te Ching
At the open square downtown, we watched people dancing to a lively band in the twilight of the cool and pleasant evening.
"The best dancing partner is the one whom you hardly know is there," said Jesus.
"And yet is responsive to your every move," I said.
"Like the Tao," said Lao Tzu. "Or God, the Father, in your language, Jesus."
"When people are in that state, dancing with the Tao, that is the supreme spiritual ultimate," said Jesus.
"Beyond that, it's all downhill," said Lao Tzu. "They start loving Him, separating Him out from everything else, then move to fearing Him, then end in scorning Him."
"No more dancing with the Tao," said Jesus.
We stood silently for a while.
I was curious about something.
"What church do you belong to?" I asked Jesus.
He looked at me and grinned.
He said, "The church of Is."
The three of us moved to the dance floor.
Next comes the ruler they love and praise;
Next comes one they fear;
Last comes one they treat with impertinence.
Only when there is not enough faith is there a lack of faith.
Hesitant, he does not utter words lightly.
When his task is accomplished and his work done
The people all say, "It happened to us naturally."
-- D.C. Lau, Chapter 17, Tao Te Ching
At the open square downtown, we watched people dancing to a lively band in the twilight of the cool and pleasant evening.
"The best dancing partner is the one whom you hardly know is there," said Jesus.
"And yet is responsive to your every move," I said.
"Like the Tao," said Lao Tzu. "Or God, the Father, in your language, Jesus."
"When people are in that state, dancing with the Tao, that is the supreme spiritual ultimate," said Jesus.
"Beyond that, it's all downhill," said Lao Tzu. "They start loving Him, separating Him out from everything else, then move to fearing Him, then end in scorning Him."
"No more dancing with the Tao," said Jesus.
We stood silently for a while.
I was curious about something.
"What church do you belong to?" I asked Jesus.
He looked at me and grinned.
He said, "The church of Is."
The three of us moved to the dance floor.
Beautifully shared! All too often I start the dance then fall into the same toe-stepping-on cloddishness you mention. What great insight into staying Here and being one with what Is.
ReplyDeleteHave a great Thanksgiving... I am grateful for your presence, and for when I am present enough to see you standing there -- no separation. Hello George! Would you like to dance?
Thanks George. That was fun!
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