Journal from the Edge of Survival: Our Love Language

The gentlest thing in the world overcomes the hardest thing in the world. That which has no substanceenters where there is no space.This shows the value of non-action. Teaching without words, performing without actions: that is the Master’s way. Tao te Ching I walked through the dining room and peered out to the screened porch […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: The Waiting Game

Do you have the patience to waittill your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmovingtill the right action arises by itself? The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment. Not seeking, not expecting,she is present, and can welcome all things. Tao te Ching When my daughter was conceived, I remember sitting in the bathroom […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: A Walk in the Park

People enjoy their food, take pleasure in being with their families, spend weekends working in their gardens, delight in the doings of the neighborhood. Tao te Ching . . Charlie and I discovered that the big park near us, despite all of the dangerous looking “closed” and “COV” signs surrounding it, is actually open for […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: Where are the Damned Scissors?

Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao? Because, being one with the Tao, when you seek, you find; and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven. That is why everybody loves it. Tao te Ching   We’re going to take a break from infection and worry and the zombie apocalypse for a day […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: In Which We are Careful

Therefore the Master remains serene in the midst of sorrow. Evil cannot enter his heart. Tao te Ching   So far it looks like Charlie is not in an active state of dying. I mean, not any more than we all are every day. So this is a win. But he is still sick. Just […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: In Which We Worry

Stop thinking, and end your problems. What difference between yes and no? Tao te Ching   Charlie is a manochondriac. You know the type. They get a mild cold and they take to their beds and lament the fact that their mother isn’t there to spoon feed them warm, home-made chicken soup and spread Vicks […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival: My Porcupine Man

There is no greater illusion than fear, no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself, no greater misfortune than having an enemy. Whoever can see through all fear will always be safe. Tao te Ching   Most times, unless technology is being uncooperative or tools aren’t properly forcing parts into submission, Charlie is the King […]

Journal from the Edge of Survival – My First SOLO EHA

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self. When we don’t see the self as self, what do we have to fear? Tao te Ching   I had to do my first solo EHA (ExtraHomular Activity) today. Poor Charlie has been the brave venturer for each trip up to now. […]

Another Entry from the Journal From the Edge of Survival

What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure? Whether you go up the ladder or down it, you position is shaky. When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance. Tao te Ching   We thought Charlie might be getting laid off today. Which isn’t […]