66

All streams flow to the sea
because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.

If you want to govern the people,
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
you must learn how to follow them.

The Master is above the people,
and no one feels oppressed.
She goes ahead of the people,
and no one feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her.
Because she competes with no one,
no one can compete with her.

Tao Te Ching by Lao-tsu, trans. by Stephen Mitchell

Friday morning, late September and summer lingers.

There is a planetary life, the dance of atmosphere and ocean currents that absolutely effects each and every day. If summer lingers, the causes are magnificently beyond our understanding. Power in its most extensive, insistent form is subtle, anything but obvious. “Hidden in plain sight,” is exactly what we want to say.

The example came to me as an illustration of the viewpoint which is espoused here by Lao-tsu. The nature of power, efficient, world-shaping – how could we describe it? The old Master describes a participant, agency that coordinates, appreciates the long term, synchronous effect of accommodation, taking care to avoid the eroding friction of contention.

How worlds are made…

Friday, end-of-week has arrived. I believe that you and I are ready for a love ballad. World-making is the reason we are here after all. And its work, the expenditure of passion, of love. There is a melody which is unchained, infinitely creative — within which you and I discover our place, our work. Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers.