Daily Obstruction: Wolf Way

Wolf Way

 

It simply is not possible for a lone wolf to find a pack – not even of other lone wolves – because the way of the pack is not its way.

Daily Obstruction: Artist’s Tao

 

Artist’s Tao

 

Just as a sculptor works with the inherent faults, flaws, and grooves of the raw material, so too do all artists work with the natural inclination their chosen medium.

 

Daily Obstruction: Will or Way?

Will or Way?

 

It’s not a matter of “When there is a will there’s a way.”  It’s a matter of submitting your will to the Way.

Daily Obstruction: Tao

 

Tao

The Way ways always.

Daily Obstruction: There & Here

There & Here

 

There are many ways up the mountain, but the master makes the peak jealous of the valley.

Daily Obstruction: Hooked

Hooked

 

You can let go, but sometimes the things you let go of have hooks in you.

Daily Obstruction: Capacity for Joy and its Opposite

 

Capacity for Joy and its Opposite

 

You tell me which takes more effort: drinking lemonade or turning lemonade into lemons?

 

* The image is the classic Chinese depiction of Confucius, Buddha, and Lao Tzu (L-R) tasting the contents of a vat of vinegar.  The vinegar is a metaphor symbolizing life and the interpretation of the image is that Confucius purses his lips, finding it unpalatable, Buddha is Stoically neutral.  Only Lao Tzu tastes it and smiles.

Daily Obstruction: Not That!

 

Finger Pointing at the Eclipse of the Moon

 

This is not an inspirational, positive-thinking, motivational message.  These are not daily affirmations.  Rather, the point here is to draw attention to the multifarious obstacles in your life, recognize that they are there by choice, affinity, and design, and further, that they constitute your life, even while they congest it.  In the face of so many self-improvement programs, the aim here is to realize that there is nothing to improve and the only obstacle to remove is your objection to obstructions.

 

*The image above is a classic Chinese depiction of Confucius, Buddha, and Lao-tzu (L-R).  They are each tasting from a vat of vinegar.  Confucius and Buddha both have pursed lips due to the unpleasant taste.  Only Lao-tzu has a hint of a smile, taking delight in the bitter.  The vinegar is a metaphor for life.

Daily Obstruction – Topography

Topography

 

Taoists like point out that when a rock obstructs the path of the river, the water, being soft and supple, goes right around the rock.  Buddhists point out that the river is the water and the rock.