Moon above water.
Sit in solitude.
If waters are placid, the moon will be mirrored perfectly. If we still ourselves, we can mirror the divine perfectly. But if we engage solely in the frenetic activities of our daily involvements, if we seek to impose our own schemes on the natural order, and if we allow ourselves to become absorbed in self-centered views, the surface of our waters becomes turbulent. Then we cannot be receptive to Tao.
There is no effort that we can make to still ourselves. True stillness comes naturally from moments of solitude where we allow our minds to settle. Just as water seeks its own level, the mind will gravitate toward the holy. Muddy water will become clear if allowed to stand undisturbed, and so too will the mind become clear if it is allowed to be still.
Neither the water nor the moon make any effort to achieve a reflection. In the same way, meditation will be natural and immediate.
I’m always a bit amused by people who tell me they don’t have time to meditate. It’s like saying you don’t have time to be yourself, but I think that probably is the case for a lot of people these days. It’s kind of strange that I seem to survive perfectly well doing nothing in particular, even while watching people drive themselves crazy trying to accomplish some goal or another they have decided is more important than being themselves.
I’ve given up on most frenetic activity in life. I find myself much happier just letting things come to me, and usually find that if I just wait, the things I’m finding I desire will show up. I had been feeling cold in the chilly winter mornings, and suddenly my husband decides to get a heater. I didn’t ask for it, he just decided we needed one. OK, that works. I guess at some point I’ll find someone who needs it more and give it away, who knows?
Reflection. I reflect a lot on life, sometimes I think too much. I don’t know that I have ever perfectly mirrored Tao, probably not, since I am rarely that still. I guess that’s one I might get to eventually.
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