everything is everything

everything is everything
after winter must come spring
change it comes eventually

free from desire, you realize the mystery
caught in desire, you see only the manifestations

being and non-being create each other
difficult and easy support each other
long and short define each other
high and low depend on each other
before and after follow each other

act without doing anything
teach without saying anything
things arise - let them come
things disappear - let them go
have but don't possess
act but don't expect
when your work is done, forget it
and it will last forever

practice not-doing
and everything will fall into place

your life is full of infinite possibilities
anything can happen, it is up to you to decide
this source of possible is always present in you
you can use it any way you want

let go of yourself
and be perfectly fulfilled

the source gave birth to good and evil
it values both, it doesn't take sides

when you are content to be simply yourself
and don't compare or compete
everybody will respect you

do your work, then step back
the only path to serenity

coax your mind from its wandering
and keep to the original oneness
cleanse your inner vision
until you see nothing but the light
love people and lead them
without imposing your will
deal with the most vital matters
by letting events take their course
step back from your own mind
and thus understand all things

having without possessing
acting with no expectations
this is supreme virtue

we shape clay into a pot
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want

we work with being
but non-being is what we use

thoughts weaken the mind
desires wither the heart
observe your world
but trust your inner vision
allow things to come and go
keep your heart open as the sky

hope and fear are phantoms
that arise from the thinking self
when we don't see the self as self
what is there to fear?

see the world as your self
have faith in the way things are
love the world as your self
then you can care for all things

approach it and there's no beginning
follow it and there's no end
you can't know it, but you can be it
at ease in your own life
just realize where you come from
this is the essence of wisdom

remain careful, alert, courteous, fluid, shapable, receptive, clear

do you have the patience to wait
til your mud settles and the water is clear?
can you remain unmoving
til the right action arises by itself?

never seek fulfillment
not seeking, not expecting,
be present, and welcome all things

empty your mind of all thoughts
let your heart be at peace
watch the turmoil of beings
but contemplate their return

each separate being in the universe
returns to the common source
returning to the source is serenity

if you don't realize the source
you stumble in confusion and sorrow
when you realize where you come from
you naturally become tolerant,
disinterested, amused, kindhearted, dignified

immersed in its wonder
you can deal with whatever life brings you
and when death comes, you are ready

don't talk, act
when your work is done
let it go

just stay at the centre of the circle
and let all things take their course

stop thinking, and end your problems
don't value what others value
don't avoid what others avoid

possess nothing
drift about
blow as aimless as the wind
don't cling to ideas
let your own nature make you radiant
look inside yourself and see

want to become whole?
let yourself be partial.
want to become straight?
let yourself be crooked.
want to become full?
let yourself be empty.
want to be reborn?
let yourself die.
if you want to be given everything
give everything up

have no goal in mind
and everything you do will succeed

if you want to be given everything
give everything up

if you open yourself to loss
you are at one with loss
and you can accept it completely
if you open yourself to insight
you are at one with insight
and you can use it completely
if you open yourself to love
you are at one with love
and you can become it fully

open yourself to the truth
then trust your natural responses
and everything will fall into place

just do your job, then let go

the source of all things
serene, empty, solitary, unchanging, infinite, eternally present
it flows through all things
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things

the source is great
the universe is great
earth is great
man is great
the four great powers

stay serenely in yourself
if you let yourself be blown to and fro
you lose touch with your root
if you let restlessness move you
you lose touch with who you are