Today I started us off with #18 and was joined by Allison for #29. From there a newcomer joined me Anthony with #42 and I wrapped up with Julie and #31.
#18 "The Losing of Tao"
When Tao is lost
Etiquette is observed.
When etiquette cannot be abided
We find excuses to make it proper.
When excuses gut the family,
Chaos favors the hierarchy.
When all the neighbors are in chaos
Blind loyalty is demanded.
#29 "Make the World a Better You"
Do you want to make the world a better place?
How arrogant you must be!
The world, like you, is sacred
And cannot be improved.
A force of will would ruin it.
If it had a guide, it would be misled.
There are times for all things,
Even this, whatever it happens to be.
The Master allows all things to be as they are
She doesn’t want to control them.
She simply lets them do what they do
She also does what she does, staying connected to Tao.
#31 "Of Weapons and Mourning"
Weapons are horrible tools,
The Master avoids weaponizing anything.
Weapons promote fear and separation:
Avoided by those who walk in blessings
Embraced by those who walk in delusion.
If compelled to use them, she uses restraint.
There is no glory in victory if weapons are used,
Her enemy is not evil but human like herself.
How can she see glory in their slaughter?
When the Master is compelled to engage a weapon
She does so gravely, and filled with compassion,
Knowing that this is the first stage of her mourning.
42 "Holding both Male and Female"
Tao gives birth to Universes.
Universes give birth to Planets.
Planets give birth to beings.
Beings give birth to everything else.
Tao is the Great Mother
All else holds both Male and Female.
By all things embracing both
Harmony is achieved.
To feel alone is avoided by men
Yet that is where no identity resides.
The Master holds no identity
She embraces her aloneness,
Realizing when she is at one with herself
She is at one with all things.
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