“What do you mean by virtue not being manifested?”

“Nothing is so level than still waters
–this can be a paradigm.
There is inner preservation and no outer movement.
Virtue is the perfect cultivation of harmony.
Even though this is not manifested in the person,
things cannot be without it.“

Zhuangzi by Zhuang Zhou, trans. by Hyun Hochmann, Yang Gurong, Signs of Virtue Complete

These are unsettled times no one would deny. Living west of Chicago in the Fox River Valley, I felt relief upon hearing news that the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) road-show would be traumatizing Chicago less. Aurora, Elgin, all population centers close at hand stand to be less “put upon” by this gang of “brown shirts.” Our fellow townspeople are able to breathe a bit easier as the repression effort is now concentrated upon Charlotte, North Carolina.

Is it possible, to live “your life” such as it is, in the midst of a chaos, a “winner takes all”, late capitalist American society, where state sponsored street-violence is the norm?

The segment lifted from the Zhuangzi suggests that it is possible. Balance, a state of emotional self-possession is the outcome of disciplined cultivation. All things, (even this madness) runs its course. It is possible, even worthwhile to “learn to be still?” To the extent possible, learn the lesson of still water.

Cultivate your inner harmony…

What better time to get started!

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A tune? Why this one of course! Learn To Be Still by The Eagles.