“When people do no follow Tao,
Their horses are harnessed for war,
Their energies are used for destruction,
And many go hungry.
Great troubles come
From not knowing what is enough.
Great conflict arises from wanting too much.
When we know when enough is enough,
There will always be enough.”
(From Diane Dreher, 1990, The Tao of inner peace: A guide to inner and outer peace, p. 126)
Photo Credit, Ava Hand Johnson – 2013, Photographer – Jnana Hand
“Oftentimes have I heard you speak of the one who commits a wrong as though he were not one of you, but a stranger unto you and an intruder upon your world.
But I say that even as the holy and the righteous cannot rise beyond the highest which is in each of you,
So the wicked and the weak cannot fall lower that the lowest which in you also.
And as a single leaf turns not yellow but with the silent knowledge of the whole tree,
So the wrong-doer cannot do wrong without the hidden will of you all.
Like a procession you walk together towards your god-self,
You are the way and the wayfarers.
And when one of you falls down he falls for those behind, a caution against the stumbling stone.
Ay, and he falls for those ahead of him, who though faster and surer of foot, yet removed not the stumbling stone.”
(Kahlil Gibran, 1923/1951, The prophet, pp. 40-41)
May we learn to live in peace with each other and in harmony with the world we share.
Yes. I energize that prayer.
LikeLike
Thank you 🙂
LikeLike
That’s powerful, Carol. Thank you.
LikeLike
Thank you, Mandy 🙂
LikeLike
Ah, Carol, such thoughtful world by which to live. Bless you.
LikeLike
Susan, thank you for your thoughtful comments. Bless you too 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing these beautiful words with us. I find them inspiring. Hugs, Barbara
LikeLike
Thank you, Barbara, I appreciate your kindness. 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on idealisticrebel.
LikeLike
I like that idea….all that we see outside of ourselves is a part of us too, and a part of our inner world. We are beauty and cruelty, healer and wounder. And when we can accept that, then we can relate more deeply to the world around us. Such beautiful thoughts to share.
LikeLike
Eloquently-said, Nicci! It seems to be so much easier to judge others than it is to accept ourselves with all our weaknesses and divinity…
LikeLike
I’m on the road with family so haven’t been able to comment as much as I’d like. Just wanted to stop by and express my gratitude for these verses and your commitment to bringing healing to our fractured world.
“Great troubles come
From not knowing what is enough.”…amen.
Hope you’re getting some gardening done, Carol. 🙂
LikeLike
It’s good to hear from you, Jeff! I’m glad that you are enjoying the chance to travel and spend time with your family. As always, I thank you for your kindness and send my best wishes to all.
LikeLike
This is simply beautiful Carol~
LikeLike
Thank you, Gator Woman 🙂
LikeLike
Quite welcome Carol~
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Teacher as Transformer and commented:
Humans have a tendency to place themselves at the top of the natural pedestal. We fail to see ourselves as part of something and place outside nature and the world. The result is we end up outside relationships with each other. Ways of life as outlined in the wisdom ways such as the Tao, Christianity, Buddhism, Islam and many others point us in the direction we need to go in. We need to let go and want less. When we live in community and share, there is always enough.
LikeLike
Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Ivon, and for reblogging these important and timely messages.
LikeLike
You are welcome.
LikeLike
I believe in the Tao…to me it’s all there is.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Much appreciated words, Carol
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan 🙂
LikeLike
As usual timely and so important!
LikeLike
Thank you for your kind words, Cindy. It’s so good to hear from you 🙂
LikeLike
You have made some really good points there. I checked on the internet to
learn more about the issue and found most people will go along
with your views on this site.
LikeLike
Thank you, Kiersten.
LikeLike
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally
well written!
LikeLike
Thank you, Jona.
LikeLike