heliotrope

A good traveler has no fixed plans
and is not intent upon arriving.
A good artist lets his intuition
lead him wherever he wants.
A good scientist has freed himself of concepts
and keeps his mind open to what is.
Thus the Master is available to all people
and doesn't reject anyone.
He is ready to use all situations
and doesn't waste anything.
This is called embodying the light.
What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?
What is a bad man but a good man's job?
If you don't understand this, you will get lost,
however intelligent you are.
It is the great secret.
-- Stephen Mitchell, Chapter 27, Tao Te Ching

I went looking for Jesus and Lao Tzu.

They were in a meadow looking at flowers.

Lao Tzu was lying on his belly, chin in hands.

Jesus sat beside him.

"These flowers move with the sun," said Lao Tzu.

"They keep their faces turned toward the light," said Jesus.

"They are flow-ers," said Lao Tzu.

"What is the flower of your heart?" asked Jesus.

"A petunia," I said.

"Great satellite dish!" said Lao Tzu.

"My heart flower is a rose," said Jesus.

I looked at Lao Tzu with a grin.

"Snap dragon!" he said, leaping up and wrestling me to the ground.

Jesus said, "I swear. Sometimes I think you are both 14."

"Just drunk on the light," said Lao Tzu.

We got up and headed into town.