The I Ching States Happiness Lies in the Proper Blend of:

by Ryokan

English version by John Stevens
Original Language Japanese

Hot-cold
good-bad
black-white
beautiful-ugly
large-small
wisdom-foolishness
long-short
brightness-darkness
high-low
partial-whole
relaxation-quickness
increase-decrease
purity-filth
slow-fast.

-- from Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan, Translated by John Stevens

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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

A reminder for us today from that master of wisdom-foolishness, Ryokan, to walk the slim pathway between the extremes, to touch both but not be held by either. Absolutes are for fundamentalists and those weary of the journey. The rest of us continue to navigate that hidden line where opposites meet. We learn the way by knowing our hearts.

We might catch a glimpse, we might just notice that opposites are not opposed, but joined. And we dance along that seam of connection.

One last bit of advice: When you dance, dance slow-fast!

(That's the long and the short of it... :)








The I Ching States