Chuang Chou didn't know if he was Chuang Chou dreaming he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Chou!

 

"Once Chuang Chou dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased.  He didn't know he was Chuang Chou.  Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Chuang Chou.  But he didn't know if he was Chuang Chou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Chou.  Between Chuang and a butterfly there must be SOME distinction!  This is called the Transformation of Things."

Chuang Tzu, Taoist sage, 4th century B.C.E.

Photo: Butterfly at the Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, CO, March 3, 2012

When You are Unaware of Your Own Goodness, It Shines All the More

 

"The wise embrace the One, and set an example to all.  Not putting on a display, they shine forth.  Not justifying themselves, they are distinguished.  Not boasting, they receive recognition.  Not bragging, they never falter . . . Be really whole, and all things will come to you . . . A truly good man is not aware of his goodness, and is therefore good. A foolish man tries to be good, and is therefore not good."

Lao Tze, 6th century B.C.E.

Photo: Perhaps these Rosy Paintbrush blooms are able to radiate such profound goodness precisely because they are exquisitely unselfconscious about it all. Upper Ice Lake, San Juan Mountains, CO, August 14, 2011

The Mountain and I Never Tire of Each Other

"We settle down together, never tiring of each other.  Only the two of us, the mountain and I."

Li Po, 8th century Taoist poet

Photo: Western Yellow Paintbrush and Elephanthead, Snowy Range, WY, August 27, 2011