While reading Lao-tzu on this beautiful morning in Chicago, two passages about virtue (goodness) caught my eye and begged to be shared ;) PRACTICING VIRTUE To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one’s time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those – Read More –
After a fun, full day in San Francisco, I’m up at 2am on a Saturday thinking about change. While it is true that things change, I’m inspired to say that we experience pain because we fail to realize that our expectations change. We anticipate future outcomes (i.e. illusions) based on our expectations. These desired future outcomes are simply what we – Read More –
While mentoring a high school student recently, I told her that life is about showing up and letting go. I explained to her that you have to continue to show up for new opportunities in life…but that you can only have room for new opportunities if you let go of past disappointments. She was a math – Read More –
A talented friend of mine (WISE100Doors!) performed this song last night and I was struck again by the majestic lyrics of this classic Bob Marley tune, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.” We are, so often, slaves to our minds. We don’t question our thoughts…and this belief in the – Read More –
When the voice is gentle, so is the echo. When the figure stands upright, the shadow is straight. – Guishan I said to a friend recently that my kind actions were simply a reflection of their kind actions. I did not believe they were deserving of special thanks, but the kind return of love perhaps – Read More –
Height, weight, race, gender, hair color, eye color, hair length, clothes, address….these are all classified or observed on a simple American driver’s license. Our society is accustomed to these categorizations…and we typically take quick inventory of people that we meet to determine their classifications. And sometimes to determine if they “belong” or not. But do any – Read More –
“Tao is like the ocean All rivers run to the ocean without filling it up. All water comes from it without ever emptying it.” -Zhun Mang How can one describe the indescribable? Tao is known as The Way…The Great Whole to which all separate things belong. It can be seen as all that exists, but also the nothingness – Read More –
Recently, I had a conversation with a loved one about religion. We talked a bit about Christianity, Taoism, and Zen…I expressed respect for one’s right to chose their own beliefs. I think I said something like love is my religion (haha). As a Christian, she expressed a desire to want me (and other loved ones) – Read More –