A very Merry Christmas eve morning started with Melissa and her hot Chocolate and #17. Marianne joine me for #27 and V A joined for #81 and a chat about her father and wht she learned from him.
#17 "Of Masters and Leaders"
In the time of the great Masters there were no leaders.
Then, those whom the people loved, led the way.
After having created the position
The people feared their leaders,
Then they despised them.
Having created leaders, their faith in Tao was diminished.
Having become a leader, his trust in the people was diminished.
When there are great Masters there are no leaders
She works day and night and says nothing about it,
When the work is done the people say
"Amazing! We did it all by ourselves!"
#27 "The Mystery of the Process"
Although a good traveler may have plans
They are not rigid, nor is the outcome.
Although a good artist creates,
The creations are arrived at through intuition.
Although a good scientist observes
It is done for the first time every time.
By embodying these strategies
The Master accepts everyone
And makes use of every situation,
Nothing is wasted and
Every moment is imbued with light.
What is the good if not a vision for the bad?
What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?
Accept this completely,
Or you will suffer in all you do.
It is the great secret.
#81 "Blossoming Leader"
True words may not sound comforting
Yet comfort those they are meant for,
However, comforting words are never true.
Connected to source there is no desire to prove
Desire to prove only exposes separation from source.
The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation.
Giving away her possessions she only receives more.
Tao blesses everyone in this way.
When this blessing can be received,
Domination and power will yield
While all people will blossom as leaders.

Today I spoke with Marianne about #59 and her frustrations with Christmas, Melissa about #12 and her full teaching day on Dec 23rd, thenTruth joined me for #9 after which Jay K got #68.
#9 "The Danger of Extremes"
Having to prove yourself
Will allow challenges to best you.
Focus your attention on money
And lose sight of what is valuable.
Keep in mind outside influence
And you will be its prisoner.
Do what you do and move on,
It isn't yours anyway.
#12 "The Senses"
Colors blind the eyes of men.
Sounds deafen the ears of men.
Flavors dull the tongues of men.
Thoughts will lead a mind to turmoil.
Desires and greed will lead a life to turmoil.
Therefore, the Master satisfies her inner vision
Allowing external cravings to come and go.
#59 "Serving Others"
While serving others, be as reserved as you can be.
Be like Tao, nurture all things without influencing them.
This is possible through moderation
Free yourself from the constraints of your own ideas.
Respect all things as they are and remove their limits.
Embrace this virtue and your limits are removed as well.
Find within yourself both solid ground and yielding sky.
Be at one with Tao and the landscape creates itself.
Limitless you achieve immortality.
#68 "Do What you Love to Do"
Great athletes love to play, not win
Great fighters love to fight, not be angry
Great generals love to strategize, not destroy
Great employers love to employ, not be a boss.
Great musicians love to play, not perform.
They are not attached to identities or outcomes,
They simply dance with what they love to do.
This is in harmony with Tao.

Today Melissa and I had a deep discussion about wanting before she chose #24 and then Jay K joined me for #28.
#24 "Do What is to be Done"
Standing on tiptoes robs you of firm footing.
Rushing ahead robs you of knowing where you are.
Looking at yourself robs you of seeing.
Boasting of yourself robs you of your brilliance.
Overpowering others robs you of your power.
Clinging to your work robs you of longevity.
If you want to align with Tao
Just do what is to be done and then stop.
#28 "Knowing There's Depth in the Shallow"
Know the world through the masculine
But access your power through the feminine:
In this way, you will be open to receive.
If you can receive then your actions will support,
They will never be forced, and you will be innocent.
Know the world through the light
But connect to it within the dark:
In this way, you will be open to the truth.
If you can see truth, manifestation will not fool you,
It will fall away, and nothing will elude you.
Know the world through the particular
But know there is no particular here:
In this way, you will accept all things.
If you can accept all things, you will be a beacon
That will guide you, and all beings, back to source.
The manifestation was formed from the void.
The Master knows the manifestation
Yet stays focused on the void within it.
That is how she uses all things.