...

In front of us stood Flowery Mountain and its secret retreats.
When we approached clouds veiled its summit.
The vapors which covered the enclosing ring of mountains rose,
and the morning sun illumined their crowning peaks.
Then beautiful cliffs appeared one after another,
and we heard the music of the wind howling against the rock walls.
We were part of the living landscape.

- Wang Li

No flower can compare with the pine.
Today the flower blooms in sweet beauty,
Overnight come snow and frost,
It fades away.
The pine is the evergreen.

- Wall poem seen at Pai-szu Pagoda 1934

The cardinals are numerous this week
One looked at me and flew to a post
Then flew away, and another
Flew to the same post, then
Surprising each other
A runner ran past without a mask
As I stood near the end of my driveway
We smiled at each other as if to say
"Sorry" and "I forgive you"
But how can I ever thank that huffing runner
Who might be an asymptomatic spreader?

@rookie54

P.S. -- Poor Hafez. So loquacious. I might read that sometime when I'm in the mood for a longer form. But I am a man with a scattered mind these days.

@caesar-salad said
@rookie54

P.S. -- Poor Hafez. So loquacious. I might read that sometime when I'm in the mood for a longer form. But I am a man with a scattered mind these days.

If you want to learn about the Eternal Tao, do not be casual and in a hurry.
Don’t glean too much from too many books,
for each book is full of opinions,
prejudices, and corruptions.
Read only one book and only one, our Old Master’s Tao te Ching,
and then try to understand it,
not by juggling the words and meanings,
but intuitively, through your heart and spirit.

- Ancient Taoist from Jade Mountain

Don’t ask too many questions,
but patiently watch what we Taoists do,
and perceive the hidden motives of our actions,
and not that which is only for display.
Do not be guided so much by your intellect as by faith, love, and your heart,
which is another name for understanding and compassion.

- Ancient Taoist from Jade Mountain

Love wine and beauty and the spring,
While wine is red and spring is here,
And through the almond blossoms ring
The dove-like voices of thy Dear.

Love wine and spring and beauty while
The wine hath flavour and spring masks
Her treachery in so soft a smile
That none may think of toil and tasks.

But when spring goes on hurrying feet,
Look not thy sorrow in the eyes,
And bless thy freedom from thy sweet:
This is the wisdom of the wise.


Ernest Christopher Dowson

Those who would repeat the past must control the teaching of history.
-Bene Gesserit Coda

@rookie54 said
If you want to learn about the Eternal Tao, do not be casual and in a hurry.
Don’t glean too much from too many books,
for each book is full of opinions,
prejudices, and corruptions.
Read only one book and only one, our Old Master’s Tao te Ching,
and then try to understand it,
not by juggling the words and meanings,
but intuitively, through your heart and spirit.

- Ancient Taoist from Jade Mountain

@divegeester said
Not sure about the “one book” notion.

Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.

Simple in actions and thoughts,
you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.

~Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching

Whenever you are alone, remind yourself that God has sent everyone else away so that there is only you and Him.
~ Rumi

Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?
~ Rumi