The ancient Taoist masters lived in the shadows.

On the surface, the Tao is impractical, illogical

Hawk Blue and White.
(Available original)

From Lao-Tzu's Taoteching translated by Red Pine. In the introduction, Red Pine writes:

The Taoteching is at heart a simple book. Written at the end of the sixth century B.C. By a man called Lao-Tzu, it's a vision of what our lives would be like if we were more like the dark, new moon.

Lao-Tzu teaches us that the dark can always become light and contains within itself the potential for growth and long life, while the light can only become dark and brings with it decay and early death. Lao-Tzu chose long life. Thus, he chose dark.

The great masters of ancient times
Focused on the indiscernible
and penetrated the dark
you would never know them
and because you wouldn't know them
I describe them with reluctance
they were careful as if crossing a river in winter
cautious as if worried about neighbors
reserved like a guest
ephemeral like melting ice
simple like uncarved wood
open like a valley
and murky like a puddle
but those who can be like a puddle
become clear when they're still
and those who can be at rest
become alive when they're roused
those who treasure this Way
don't try to be seen
not trying to be seen
they can hide and stay hidden.

. . .

Ts'ao Tao-chung (Taoist nun, Sung Dynasty, 960-1278) commented, “Although the ancient masters lived in the world, no one thought they were special.”

. . .

In the search for the quiet within
Taoist masters lived in the shadows
They lived quiet, humble lives.
- Heron Dance journal entry.

. . .

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