Day Fifteen

Verse 15

The Sages of old were profound
and knew the ways of subtlety and discernment.
Their wisdom is beyond our comprehension.
Because their knowledge was so far superior
I can only give a poor description.

They were careful
as someone crossing a frozen stream in winter.
Alert as if surrounded on all sides by the enemy.
Courteous as a guest.
Fluid as melting ice.
Whole as an uncarved block of wood.
Receptive as a valley.
Turbid as muddied water.

Who can be still
until their mud settles
and the water is cleared by itself?
Can you remain tranquil until right action occurs by itself?

The Master doesn't seek fulfillment.
For only those who are not full are able to be used
which brings the feeling of completeness.
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Today this verse contains the words that I most need to hear. A dear friend of mine is in deep emotional pain with his own shadow work. I believe that I have some good insights to share with him, ideas that might lessen his suffering, give him some direction, maybe enfuse him with some light. But the strong message I am getting is to let him be, to say nothing, to give him his space. To let him burn his own way to healing and purification.

Sometimes it feels right to share with others the insights that are coming up for me. Sometimes it feels like I need to remain quiet. If I can get out of my own egoic "I believe that I can help you!" way, I can listen and know what is right in each instance. "Can you remain tranquil until right action occurs by itself?" This needs to be my mantra when I feel the desire to 'help' bubbling up in my being. If I really pay attention, and focus not on my own needs, but on the true needs of the other, my choice becomes clear. If the other person does not express his or her desires, I can tune into my own inner wisdom and ask, what would most serve in this instance? For, even if I say nothing, I am still being of service, as I allow the alchemy to occur in a way that most suits the individual's time and space, which is certainly way beyond my own understanding.

So, for today, I will send love to this man's spirit, and let him go, focusing instead on spending the upcoming hours letting my own mud settle, and swimming in my own clearing waters.