15 The ancient Masters were profound and subtle.
Their wisdom was unfathomable.
There is no way to describe it;
all we can describe is their appearance.

They were careful
as someone crossing an iced-over stream.
Alert as a warrior in enemy territory.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Shapable as a block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Clear as a glass of water.

Do you have the patience to wait
till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving
till the right action arises by itself?

The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.

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This is one of many of my favorite passages from the Tao te Ching.  As with all expressions of what it means to live fully — the correct interpretation is the one rising from the circumstances of your own life here and now.  This is an exceptionally challenging time.  There is no end of analysis.  I am tempted to speculate upon the condition of society when the covid-19 pandemic exits…  Those are conjectures, — the future is unknowable.

You and I are obligated to do what we can after we have waited until the mental muddle, — settles.  Then you and I will know what is to be done.

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This report from CBS News:

The official weather observing station in Death Valley, California — called Furnace Creek for obvious reasons — reached a scorching 128 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday. That is the hottest temperature anywhere on the planet since 2017 and only one degree behind what experts say is likely the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth.

This is just one small part of a brutal heat wave baking the deep Southwest and lower Plains states right now before expanding eastward and northward later this week. Dozens of records were set over the weekend and dozens more are on the way this week.

If you’d like to read the entire report CLICK HERE.