Do you have the patience to wait
Till your mud settles and your waters become clear?
Can you remain unmoving
Till the right action arises by itself?
The Master doesn’t seek fulfillment,
but not seeking, not expecting,
she is present, and can welcome all things.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
(Mitchell, trans. 1988; stanza 15)
What could this feel like in my body?
I become aware of the bony basin of my pelvis
the fluid movement of my breath
undulating
ribcage, low belly
low belly, ribcage
rising, falling
softening
expanding
my eyes settle deeper into my skull
gaze relaxing
space opening around me
I am
heavy into the ground
light moving up
I am
body of
mud settling
waters clearing
possibilities emerging
photos: me, Ashokan Reservoir, NY; August 2018.