The Tao Te Ching tells us:
The Tao is infinite, expansive,
Always returning
In endless cycles,
Creating the Great Harmony.
(Tao, Chapter 65)
We are part of a universal pattern of growth which renews itself in cycles. Moving from day to night, spring to winter, active yang is inevitably followed by dormant yin, which gives birth to new yang.
The walls around you and the roof overhead—may appear solid, but are actually composed of billions of tiny particles whirling in cycles of incessant energy, tiny universes unto themselves, continuously evolving. Similarly, every cell in our bodies is constantly changing. We are not the same people we once were. Each year much of our body is renewed through metabolic change. The dance of life goes on within and around us. Nothing in the universe stands still.
The Tao teaches us to conquer our impatience, to work with the cycles. Our projects, like the seeds we plant, have different seasons. Some spring up quickly. Others take longer to germinate, even longer to bear fruit. All of the impatience in the world will not change the process.
You are a unique expression of life. Your patterns are like no other's.
You can explore your own patterns in this brief meditation
Close your eyes
Take a long deep breath and slowly release it
As you continue breathing slowly and deeply,
Breathing in
Breathing out
Let you mind flow freely
To explore the patterns of yang and yin—day and night, speaking and listening, action and rest in your own life.
Now think of one area in your work or personal life.
Ask yourself what you can do now to honor the natural rhythms of yin and yang in this area to create greater harmony in your life.
When you are ready, open your eyes
I wish you joy on the path.