The Way

[Guest guest]

No matter what I read or have read, I am always taken back by my

special fondness for the Tao and it's writings/teachings. This

morning I was reading a portion during my daily meditations and it

really stayed with me. It was all about "Positioning", and the

message really hit home.

 

Heron stands in the blue estury,

Solitary, white, unmoving for hours.

A fish! Quick avian darting;

The prey captured.

 

positioning - positioning - positioning - positioning

 

It went on to say, people always ask how to follow Tao. It is easy

and natural as the heron standing in the water. The bird moves when

it must; it does not move when stillness is appropriate.

 

The secret of its serenity is a type of vigilance, a contemplative

state. The heron is not in mere dumbness or sleep. It knows a lucid

stillness. It stands unmoving in the flow of the water. It gazes

unperturbed and is aware. When Tao brings it something that it needs,

it seizes the opportunity without hesitation or deliberation. Then it

goes back to its quiensence without disturbing itself or its

surroundings. Unless it found the right position in the water's flow

and remained patient, it would not have succeeded.

 

Actions in life can be reduced to two factors: positioning and

timing. If we are not in the right place at the right time, we cannot

possible take advantage of what life has to offer us. Almost anything

is appropriate if an action is in accord with the time and the place.

But we must be vigilant and prepared. Even if the time and the place

are right, we can still miss our chance if we do not notice the

moment, if we act inadequately, or if we hamper ourselves with doubts

and second thoughts. When life presents an opportunity, we must be

ready to seize it without hesitation or inhibitation. Position is

useless without awareness. If we have both, we make no mistakes.