dao invocation

Invocation becomes declaration; Worship becomes recognition. When blessings mature, One glimpses the source. When one is young in Tao, all practices begin as external procedures. Sometimes, it is difficult to understand their significance—we don’t know what to expect. This is proper: Not daring to interfere with growth and discovery, those who follow Tao hesitate to go beyond technical instruction. Take worship, for example. At first, an invocation is something external. You repeat it, but really, it means very little. You kneel down at the altar because you need something on which to focus. Once you realize that the true Tao is to be found within yourself, you shift your attention. Them worship becomes recognition. Your own spirit arises, and you learn to tap into it on your own. If someone had told you what to look for, you might never be sure of your experiences. What comes from outer suggestion is not the true Tao. Glimpsing the source leaves no doubts. invocation 365 Tao Daily Meditations Deng Ming-Dao ISBN 0-06-250223-9 Lakshmi Nepal 13th Century Gray schist 16 in (40.6 cm) At first glance, this lotus-bearing goddess may be confused with the Buddhist Tara, but in reality she represents Lakshmi, the principal spouse of Vishnu. The lotus is a common attribute of both, but the distinctive clue to this figure’s identification with Lakshmi is in her position. Originally, this fragmentary sculpture would have formed the right side of a stele. The central figure in such icons is usually Vishnu, with his mount Garuda on the god’s left, balancing Lakshmi on the other side. This is the common Vaishnava triad seen all over the Kathmandu Valley in temples and roadside shrines. Moreover, Tara is seldom represented in stone steles with her male counterpart, Avalokiteshvara, in this fashion. Of somewhat stocky proportions, the goddess here looks more like a local woman than an idealized model. She stands with a swinging right hip on a lotus and is appropriately attired and ornamented. With her left hand she grasps the prominently meandering stalk of the lotus, while the right hand, extended in the gesture of charity, delicately holds a gem with the index finger and the thumb. Clearly, she is being portrayed here as the dispenser of wealth that she is. all text and images © The Trustees of the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore H U A H U C H I N G attributed to Laotsu I teach the Integral Way of uniting with the great and mysterious Tao. My teachings are simple; if you try to make a religion or science of them, they will elude you. Profound yet plain, they contain the entire truth of the universe. Those who wish to know the whole truth take joy in doing the work and service that comes to them. Having completed it, they take joy in cleansing and feeding themselves. Having cared for others and for themselves, they then turn to the master for instruction. This unadorned path leads to peace, virtue, and abundance. — translated by Cris Fugate I teach the Integral Way of uniting with the great and mysterious Tao. My teachings are simple; if you try to make a religion or science of them, they will elude you. Profound yet plain, they contain the entire truth of the universe. Those who wish to know the whole truth take joy in doing the work and service that comes to them. Having completed it, they take joy in cleansing and feeding themselves. Having cared for others and for themselves, they then turn to the master for instruction. This simple path leads to peace, virtue, and abundance. — Edited by Brian Walker a reading list of books and interpretations of the Daodejing is available at http://www.duckdaotsu.org/dao_books.html for a meditation sent to your email address each day, please write ’subscribe tao’ in the subject line and send to lisbeth at duckdaotsu