I travel a path of restless dreams
7-5-2024
Tao 5th verse
Heaven and earth are impartial; they see the 10,000 things as straw dogs.
The sage is not sentimental; he treats all his people as straw dogs.
The sage is like heaven and earth:
To him none are especially dear, nor is there anyone he disfavors.
He gives and gives, without condition, offering his treasures to everyone.
Between heaven and earth is a space like a bellows;
empty and inexhaustible, the more it is used, the more it produces.
Hold on to the center.
Man was made to sit quietly and find the truth within. (5)
(5. From Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life, Living The Wisdom of the Tao, Dr. Wayne Dyer, Page 24)
Hold on to the center
Kindness is my goal. To be like others is easy if I just look for what we share. My wealth is my gift to everyone. What I have must be shared because I know that when I pass I cannot leave with it all in tow. My accumulation days are over and my shedding days are upon me. The season that I anticipated has come upon me. The cliff is before me and the abyss lies underneath. With humility and grace, let me give to anyone who I meet as God wills it. As a straw dog I have lived my life. I must prepare for my destiny. The ceremony has come to completion.
straw dogs=> ritual objects, venerated before the ceremony but afterward abandoned and trampled underfoot
Heaven and earth are impartial
Give to all and fear none. Allow the truth to guide me into acceptance. We share the same environment and this is the common thread. Do not resent the intruder because the nature of the land is the sale of it. Men have legs and with them they will walk over the state boundaries.
D: "Hi how are you?"
M: "Do you want something to eat?"
I shake my head no.
D: "Did you go to the community dinner?"
Through the night I travel a path of restless dreams
I walk across the worst part of the city to the large church building. I go inside and join the people at the food line. A nice lady is glad to see me. She hands me three plates of food. I look at the food and my mouth waters. I sit at a round table with one other lady. I smile and she smiles back.
The dinner is over and outside is dark now. I hear voices in the darkness. I am afraid to walk back to where I came from because of the crime in this area. I do not want to be robbed. A man walks by that I recognize. He is a heavy guy with a round face and glasses. He says a few words and I follow him to his car.
D: "Can I have a ride?"
It is an opportunity to get out of here and I seize the chance. He doesn't say yes or no. Two other guys get in the car and I get in the back seat on the right side of the big four door sedan. The dream fades into the morning mist.
Who is this man who offered me friendship? A round man with not a lot to offer. How can I repay his kindness? How do angels arrive in times of trouble? How do I always find my way home?