The Maui Taoist

Too much Love?

When is too much, more than enough?

When is enough, enough?

When is too little, not enough?

Or maybe “just right” is just plain “boring”

Is there a sliding scale that we subconsciously use?

Sure there is, but there is also the need for balance here.

We decide if it needs to be 50/50 or 60/40 or some other point.

Taiji is always changing. White to black… always holding to the Center

Harmonizing absolutes,

Finding and hearing that little voice within that brings balance.

Seeing and feeling the swinging energies moving to and fro.

Keeping your lives from swinging too far.

Being at one with the flow allows one to find the truth.

Testing our commitment and resolve as the wind and tides buffet us

Each time returning to a calm center,

That place where we feel loved.

If the energy is not in harmony then troubles will arise.

Swinging too far towards absolutes and can stress someone,

Not adapting to the stress can break the structure.

Adapt and overcome and return to oneness, stronger then before.

consider this:

love too much… get hurt…

love to little… get hurt…

This used to concern me, but now I have seen the light!

I figure, you either love someone or you don’t.

If you love someone, you appreciate them, giving and accepting love and friendship.

If you enjoy each others company you can talk for hours about anything or nothing at all.

If you love someone, you believe in your heart that they would never hurt you.

If two people are in love, it stirs their inner passions and inspires them to be better individuals.

If you love someone, you care deeply about things they are going through and either help or get out of the way.

If you love someone you would move Heaven and Earth for them.

Loving someone means, being patient when things are not going exactly as you want, working together to be there for each other.

And so… where are the degrees of separation emotionally?

You either appreciate someone, or you don’t

You either enjoy someone’s company, or you don’t

You either trust someone, or you don’t

You feel an inner passion inspiring you, or you don’t

You’re either patient with someone, or you’re not

You either work through things with someone, or you don’t

Either you will be there to move Heaven and Earth, or you will not.

You either love someone………………………… or you do not.

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What is a Taoist ?

One that sees the simple in the complex, and the complex in the simple.

Taoists know better than to try to know the unknowable, and that somethings can be understood yet not seen.

Someone that lives in harmony with the natural order of the universe; adapting to change when possible and accepting the unavoidable.

A person that respects that the world is not something to be improved upon but we are.

One that follows a path to the mysteries of the universe. Where did we come from? Where do we end up? Why are we here? How do we make sense of it? What are we to do?…All these questions are meaningless, nothing really matters more than something. Merge with nothing and there are no more questions!

A Taoist appears like an ignoramus to those that are unenlightened, and they enjoy the anonymity of it all.

Taoists let nature take its course and get out of the way if they need too. They believe in life, and live it as each moment opens up before them.

A person that is driven to become real, yet sets things up so it can happen with minimal effort. They know when they have enough, and trust that the universe will provide if they are conscious of it’s workings.

Taoists find inner strength in their ability to gather energy and apply it to their lives. They are introspective, and balanced and nurture a deep awareness, connection and respect to Heaven and Earth and everything that lives there.

A Taoist is a person that wishes all sentient beings can master the skills to live in harmony with each other, and helps them to the best of their ability.

Taoism is the religion of no religion, you can believe whatever you want to and still be Taoist. We don’t argue over faith, we respect it. Taoists have serious faith, faith in truth and love and we live simple, patient and compassionate lives. We don’t bother other people with things or argue about things that can’t be grasped with the mind anyway.

To be Taoist… is to live free in an unfree world.

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January 8, 2013

Human Life

Human life is the ultimate, and yet it often doesn’t feel like it! Our time here is a challenge to find the meaning of life. To Taoists, it is what it is, and to become a “real human” means to open up to that truth and to have nothing to be ashamed of before Heaven and Earth. We are their offspring after all, and eventually we will merge with them both. For now, as humans, living a human life, we have only the opportunity to emulate our eternal parents. Originally there was no desire within us, there was a pureness to our beings, return to that self and you will become a real human.

We are all given one body with which to make our journey back to our celestial parents, within that body there is a “real human” somewhere. The real human within us communes with Heaven and Earth and the clarity and calm therein is free from the accumulations foisted upon us. It exists now as it always has, a beautiful and delightful entity. Like a poor man winning the lottery, if you could just realize this fact, you would be rich beyond your wildest dreams.

The great Confucian sage, Mencius once said, “The difference between animals and humans is slight; common people obliterate it, superior people maintain it. Those that maintain it become sages; those that obliterate it become beasts.” They become beasts in this life.

Humans would be well advised to harmonize with the five elements of nature: metal, water, wood, fire and earth. In our bodies, these elements are manifest in the five yin organs, the lungs, kidneys, liver, heart and spleen. These are the main organs that support our life in this realm, if these become damaged, our body cannot sustain life. Taking care of our bodies is essential to provide for that spiritual embryo we all carry within.

Other influences include: the relationship between the government and the people, between parents and children, between husband and wife, between younger and older siblings and between friends. These “five norms” lay out a path of success for people. We need to be in harmony with our relationships as well, to be “real humans.” Sometimes we need to let go of certain relationships to be in harmony with them!

Finding harmony within our bodies and our relationships with others is part of following the Way. Taking away the causes of physical and emotional turmoil in our lives or finding the ability to adapt to them allows us to live long enough so that we may someday unlock the “real human” within. The only thing we have of any value is the real human within, don’t destroy it before you reach realization. Our physical life just here in our bodies is not the end all; the real human is our ultimate attainment. Live as though you are pregnant, and nurture your spiritual embryo.

5 comments

January 6, 2013

What Love Isn’t

Photo Copyright Stephen Leshin

I may not know exactly what love is, but I do know a few things about what love isn’t. I know, for many people, love can be illusive, but I know for a fact that love is not an illusion.

As I look up at the sky, into the depths of all that is holy, there is love… Heaven creates everything, and gives it all away for free and never asks for anything in return. There is no blame, no frustration, disappointment or resentment there; no anger or malice, no guilt, no feelings of inadequacy or loneliness in Heaven, there are only infinite possibilities.

Emotions are a human thing, they are not meant to torment us, but to be our loving guide. There is no “should” or “should not” pertaining to our feelings, we have to learn from our emotions and in so doing respect that they are loving reminders, helping us to grow. Following enlightened reason we can feel our way to self love.

We learn strength when we can harmonize with our feelings. Each of us has to deal with these things by ourselves; part of loving someone means we foster their independence by being patient with them as they grow. The only thing we need to do is to be kind to ourselves and others as we all evolve.

It may take a lifetime to discover the truth about ourselves, but everything we have comes from the infinite. We see love in the brief little moments that twinkle like the stars shining for eternity. Moments like forgiveness, compassion, respect and gratitude. One kind deed can last an eternity. We fail at love when we forget these things.

Like star dust, love can be illusive, but out of the emptiness of the dark energy of the universe, all things are born.

2 comments

December 21, 2012

Stop Wasting Your Time

“To attain Tao you must first be egoless”

No one can grasp Tao with their intellect, and yet there are many that try this approach. I say it is impossible. Since Tao is ungraspable with the mind it really is a waste of time and they will fail. What a shame to work so hard and be so desiring of something only to find that all your hard work and desire has lead you in the opposite direction!

All the Taoist scriptures are clear on this point, they all talk about non-striving and non contrivance, just actually read the Tao Te Ching, or the Chuang Tzu and it is as plain as the nose on your face.

So why then do so many approach Qigong and meditation training from such an intellectual perspective? Ignorance is the only answer. Perhaps they bought into the theory that you can attain Tao by learning all these forms… or knowing all this stuff about the internal workings of your energy system or by purchasing some devices, or traveling to some exotic location. Well now, that is all fine and good, but if you cling to your intellect, you are ego driven and you will never rise above a self imposed limit.

Forget intellectual learning it is worse than a waste of time, is actually harmful. Christian scripture says, “Seek first the kingdom of Heaven and all things will be given unto you.” This is the dirty little secret about health, happiness, and spiritual success. If you put intellectual learning before spirit, you will fail. There is no need for knowledge, or people, places or things.

A real Taoist knows this; that is why you will never meet a true master that is arrogant, pride-full, profit seeking, egotistical or anything but humble and loving. I have never met a master that had an ego… you might say, to be a true master, you must be egoless.

To attain the Tao is a spiritual thing. That is really all that matters, I don’t follow teachers with huge egos. I don’t believe what some supposed “masters” write in their over-priced books and workshops or purchase products that promise enlightenment from them; many are charlatans. I don’t believe myself either, in that I do not listen to my intellect; we have all been conditioned to believe that we can think our way through life. All we are is that which the spirit projects into our aura, over time our bodies will take on a new configuration. The spirit produces the bodies that we have, and no amount of wishful thinking or contrivance will make one iota of difference.

Be loving and patient, kind and forgiving and seek guidance from people with those qualities and all things will be given unto you. There is no substitute for practice, and only a spiritual approach will give you the impetus to practice. Even a very simplistic practice is sufficient. The fact is, you don’t even need a teacher, you need only simple practice fueled by your spirit!

Hush, be still and know….(your spirit knows the truth) and the truth will set you free.

1 comment

July 2, 2012

Make me uncomfortable…PLEASE!

Are you comfy?
Is everything okay?
May I help you?
I’ll do it for free!

Why don’t you just rest awhile?
Whats the hurry?
Are you upset?
Why don’t you just go to sleep…?

ARRRRGGGHHHH! I say
Changes will happen, will you rise to the occasion?

Will complacency lull you into a stupor as your life force slips away?

It is all too easy to ignore the energy draining mess that has become your life!

Let me light a fire under you…Adapt or wake up dead.

The house is on fire!

The volcanoes going off!

Here comes a flash flood!

Get the lead out!

Life’s most important lessons are often veiled in mystery. I like a good crisis personally. It helps me find the essential. What would you take if the house was burning? What if you actually looked at your life and asked if you have lived it lately; if not now, when?

There is nothing like an emergency to liven things up. Too bad they are so rare in our posh little world that we have built for ourselves. This could be the downfall of our way of life. The “Nanny State” is a good example. We need to learn to fend for ourselves.

The human race as evolved into it’s own worst enemy! We have become soft and spoiled! I love to rough it some, there is certainty in my ability to handle what life brings my way. Courage, and some street smarts, bring on the apocalypse, let’s get deliberate!

Do you know the Way?
Would you wait until you are drowning to learn how to swim? Act now!

3 comments

June 26, 2012

The Valley Spirit

In a place apart from time and space
the valley spirit lives
a daughter of compassion, a smile upon her face
from her heart she gives
with dignity and grace

Dark as the earth
cool as a mountain stream
refreshing as a summer breeze
and delicate as lace

Amidst a sea of mundanity
the lotus flower blooms
an omen of compassionate love, a gift to humanity
will the people realize
and accept it with humility?

Floating like a cloud
enigmatic as smoke
profound as life itself
no one knows of its frailty

Not here nor there but everywhere
the valley spirit roams
spreading peace and joy without a care
will you welcome her into your home
and cherish her as something rare?

She is love
she is grace
and she is yours,
if you treat her fair

1 comment

June 24, 2012

Losing weight is easy…

What would you rather have,
a full schedule…or free time
one thousand Facebook friends…or one best friend
the burden of a million possessions…or everything you own in a backpack
billions of adoring fans…or time alone?

Would you rather feel,
overwhelmed with emotion…or have peace of mind
bloated and full…or empty and thin
that your going too fast…or taking it easy
stressed with an endless loop of thoughts…or emptiness?

What would you rather do,
fill your day with activities… or play naked on the beach
please others…or please no one
clean and organize your things…or minimize your life
live a life of quiet desperation…or break free from the world?

What do you think is easier,
to be disciplined…or to follow your heart
to maintain possessions…or to let go of them
grabbing and stuffing all you can…or leaving things be
to make plans and set goals…or let nature take its course?

Many people think grabbing and stuffing our lives with things is so great…until they are overwhelmed with junk, overwhelmed by emotions, stressed with commitments, annoyed by people wanting things from them, and overweight and out of shape.

Almost all of our problems come from too much. We have the technology to live without all these encumbrances; we can avoid most of the maladies that befall us. Have the courage to love yourself, just say no to anything that takes you away from your center.

What is the first word a child learns? No….when we say NO to junk, we say YES to love. Quality not quantity.

My way is simple yet no one can follow it…
I have only these three treasures,
Simplicity, Patience and Compassion.

*for actual weight loss info see the comments

1 comment

The Maui Taoist

January 10, 2013

What is a Taoist ?

January 8, 2013

Human Life

January 6, 2013

What Love Isn’t

July 2, 2012

Make me uncomfortable…PLEASE!

June 26, 2012

The Valley Spirit

June 24, 2012

Losing weight is easy…

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