Wednesday Photo: “Yielding like ice about to melt”—The altar in the Cambridge Unitarian Church in late evening sun

Taken with a Fuji X100V using Øyvind Nordhagen’s Kodak Ektar 100 Recipe

Just click on the photo to enlarge it

 

Tao Te Ching – Chapter 15
(translation by Stephen Mitchell, 1995) 

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 fulfilment.
Not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.

 

—o0o—  

 

Tao Te Ching – Chapter 15

(translation by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, 1993) 

 

The ancients who followed TAO: 
Dark, wondrous, profound, penetrating, 

Deep beyond knowing.

Because they cannot be known, 
They can only be described.

Cautious, 
     Like crossing a winter stream. 

Hesitant, 
     Like respecting one’s neighbors. 

Polite, 
     Like a guest. 

Yielding, 
     Like ice about to melt. 
     
Blank, 
     Like uncarved wood. 

Open, 
     Like a valley. 
     
Mixing freely, 
     Like muddy water.

Calm the muddy water, 
     It becomes clear. 

Move the inert, 
     It comes to life.

Those who sustain TAO 
     Do not wish to be full.
 
 Because they do not wish to be full 
      They can fade away 
           Without further effort.

Lao-Tzu. Tao Te Ching (.