Yin Su awoke earlier than usual and stretched her limbs. Her energy surprised her. Her mind raced, clear and active. She was eager to start the day.  Much the same way she had felt when learning characters as a child.

She made tea and immediately went to the writing desk where the Traveler was waiting.

“I see your thoughts from my conversation with your Husband. Your observations are astute. We will expand on them today.”

Yin Su blushed.

The Traveler held Yin Su’s gaze. She had not the internal will to look away. Remnants of the first time Yin Su saw the Traveler still lingered. The Traveler’s stare penetrated Yin Su and demanded honesty.

Yin Su’s husband was in and out of the house. He would go to the gate and check on the repairs being made then return to the house and speak with the Traveler. Yin Su could tell that the questions the Traveler posed were causing her husband to question his own beliefs.

“Traveler, I study your advice, but do not understand. How can I be like water?”

“By emulating nature. Simplify. Consider all sides. Nature does not favor one side over the other. Try new things. Happiness lies in the uncomplicated present. Cultivate quietly.”

Her husband considered this and mumbled to himself about simplifying, trying new things as he returned to the work on the gate.

Yin Su took note and thought about her own life and how she felt more complete when on the mountainside among nature’s simple energies. She discussed it with the Traveler and wrote a passage about the harmony of body and soul. The Traveler approved.

Another time her Husband asked, “Traveler, why have our leaders become corrupt?”

The Traveler replied, “They do not think of the people they lead. Ideal rulers use unhurried diplomacy behind the scenes to achieve results. They do more and talk less. No one notices them. Some rulers are benevolent and people love them. Some rulers use intimidation and people fear them. Some rulers are incompetent and people despise them. The same principle can be applied to those who are ruled. Everyone is a ruler in their own life.”

The Gatekeeper was at the gate a longer time pondering this concept. He followed up by asking, “How do we know if our leaders are worthy?”

The Traveler’s ready answer came quickly. “A worthy leader will have compassion, justice, benevolence and righteousness. When a leader loses these qualities, chaos results. Concepts become polarized. Nothing gets done.”

Yin Su discussed these concepts further and wrote about ideal leaders. The guidelines were similar to what was discussed in the learning room of the Great House.

The Traveler had a long list when the Gatekeeper asked, “That is all well and good for our leaders, but how can I, a humble gatekeeper, learn what is worthy for my life.”

“Ah, Gatekeeper, now you get to the basis of life. There are some things you must be aware of and manage in your life. No one else can do it for you. Do not keep track of those who have wronged you. Do not retaliate. Protect  yourself by walking away. If you follow this path, others will mock, yet envy you.”

“But Traveler, I will appear weak and will be overtaken by my enemies.”

“Take one step back, the ocean is wide the sky is empty.”

“What?”

“If you are in a tense situation, yielding will present possibilities. You will see new things. You will appear wise. Do not stand on tiptoes. You will be seen as arrogant and it cannot be maintained for long. It is useless to try.”

“But what if others do not understand my actions?”

“Discipline your mind. Be concise in speech. Choose words carefully. By doing this you will manifest your thoughts.”

“I see.”

That sent the Gatekeeper back to the gate for the rest of the afternoon. When he returned, he asked, “How do I handle those who oppose me? Not everyone can think like this.”

“Again, be like water. Flow around obstacles. Do not attempt to destroy them. Do not attach emotion to problems. Fight with detachment. Winning is not glorious. Strive for peace. Live a life of service to others. You will leave a legacy. Some are more skillful than others traveling through life.’

“How do I know if I am being successful?”

“Ah, back to success, are we? You will know when you are successful. You will be naturally virtuous. The unvirtuous must constantly remind themselves to be virtuous and thus are not. If one must force a characteristic, such as benevolence, righteousness, etiquette then one does not actually have that virtue. Only when it comes naturally is it sincere. People who look good but lack substance are like flowers that bear no fruit. Focus on the inner self.”

“I do not understand.” The Gatekeeper looked bewildered.

“You are not alone. Many things are not as they seem at first look. Do not make light of these concepts. Or those that follow the teachings. Everything is uncertain. A frog in a well sees but little sky. If a bird tells him of the sky’s vastness, the frog will not believe it and will belittle the bird until the frog can escape the well and see for himself.”

“So I am a frog.”

The Traveler laughed. “It appears so.”

“I will try harder. It will take much effort to absorb these words.”

“It will take no effort. Do not attach emotion to practicing these principles. Anything can be achieved by moving in that direction without attachment to specific outcomes.”

“How can I move toward an outcome if I do not desire it?”

“Let go of material things. Clutter takes space and is not satisfying. Do not seek fame. Fame inflates the ego. When an activity looks effortless it is because the technique has been mastered through hard work. It is the same with these teachings. When they are practiced, they are effortless.”

“It does not sound effortless. It sounds like I must adhere to many rules that may or may not work.”

“Yes, it does seem so. I have observed many people over the years I have lived. Some take no risks, are ever cautious and their lives are uneventful. Others take many risks, but are careless in their choices and find themselves unhappy. Only a few are moderate in their choices and can handle the problems of life. Everyone will have adversity at some time in their life. The difference is how they respond to it.”

“It is all so confusing.”

“It seems so at first. Think of it this way. All living things grow because of the life force inside each of us. We each will have challenges. If the challenges are met, each successive challenge becomes easier. One learns. One grows spiritually. Physical growth is automatic. Spiritual growth is up to each individual.”

“Hm… I have much to consider.”

That night, the Gatekeeper mumbled in his sleep. Yin Su slept little. She stared into the darkness and considered challenges in her life. Her writing was prolific that day. The Traveler had clapped his gnarled hands and praised her astute grasp of the concepts and her writing. She thought of her long-ago teacher in the Great House.

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