Ruling
the World
“The
world is ruled by letting things take their course.” Lao Tzu
If
you've ever been part of a group, such as a Board of Directors, you
know how difficult it is to follow this simple rule of Taoism. This
motion without movement, this doing without doing, to most Western
minds makes no sense at all. Coming from that irrepressible bunch
known as 'the pioneers', we Americans are all about going out there
to force our will, not only on the landscape, but also on any other
human beings who get in our way. We're still butting into one another, lo these many years later, trying to impose our world view
upon anyone who dares to differ. It's nearly impossible for us to simply allow things to take their course.
I
am lately part of a co-sponsoring group who will bring Thomas Moore
to Birmingham for two days in May. The two groups have never before worked
together; both are well established in this area, and
accustomed to having free reign to organize seminars as they please.
Both Boards are composed of good and reasonable people, even
sophisticated and intelligent people. But let me tell you, even
decisions such as how many coffee pots we will need, and where the
speaker will stand, have resulted in skirmishes as cold and deadly as
Custer's Last Stand. We've debated over space, over arrangements,
over advertising, over scheduling, over where the speaker will and
will not stay, and on and on and on. We have managed to get two or
more people to agree on things, but only by Congressional mandate!
It's something, y'all.
Humans...we
have an inborn need to make things happen according to our decree.
It's undeniable; it's a drive as strong as hunger and lust. We are
disinclined to allow the river to flow according to its own nature;
we must push it, and bend it to our will. In doing so, we make life
harder for ourselves and the people around us. And, as soon as we stop
pushing, the river returns to its native state as though we had never
existed. Just for today, let's stop trying to steer the stars, and
allow them to chart their own course. Tomorrow, we will put on our
coon-skin caps and load up the wagons again. Lots of territory out
there needs taming!
In
the Spirit,
Jane
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