Growing and Misfortune.

There is a wonderful feeling as the new season of growth comes upon us, that feeling of new beginnings and hope. The ground no longer solid with frost is beginning to yield to the spade. There is the joy of deciding what kind of crops will be grown. The varieties chosen may depend on what has grown well in the past. Talking with an old friend, he was telling me that as he gets older he finds the turning of the soil harder each year and also the amount of produce he requires gets less. Yet he looks forward to the planting and the tending of his crop. Like me he gets pleasure from being able to give to others the fruits of his labour.


There is a lovely story of the traveller who on his journey came across an old man planting a tiny almond tree. Now almond trees take a long time to grow and mature to the point of giving fruit. The traveller said to the old man, “I am surprised to see one as old as you planting such a tree that will take so long to produce.” The old man looked at him, thought for a moment, and then replied, “I live my life on two principles. The first one is that I will live forever. The second one is that this is my last day.”

Who ever knows if they will see the fruits of their labour? But then if they do not some other will. The seed planted or the small tender shoot is unaware of whom it is that is planting and caring for it. Its purpose is to grow.

There was an old farmer who owned a horse, to help him plough the land. One day the horse ran away. The farmers’ neighbours came to offer their sympathy. The old farmer shook his head, “I am not sure it is a misfortune,” he said. The neighbours not understanding left. The next day his horse returned bringing with it two wild horses. The neighbours returned to congratulate him on his good fortune. “I am not at all sure it is good fortune,” he replied. Again they left bemused.

The old farmers’ son was trying to tame one of the horses and was kicked and his leg was broken. Again the neighbours came to offer sympathy for his misfortune. Again he replied saying, “I am not sure it is a misfortune.” They thought he was going mad.

The next day the Emperor came past the farm looking for young men to be part of his army to help him fight a war. The farmers’ son could not go because of his broken leg.

We never know what tomorrow will bring so we live today as if it is our last, but we live it as if we were going to live forever.

So today I will attempt to produce to the best of my ability whether it is in painting or digging. In preparing or finishing. I know that whatever I do this day will have its repercussions.

This is the way of Tao.

The Story of the Art used on this thought can be seen at:- Coming Home To Roost

Refusing to Give

There was a mighty clansman who over the years had extended his territory over a vast range. In those days it was traditional to pass from the father to son the title of clan chief. This chief did not have a son, his wife was dead and he was growing older, he lived with his daughter. His daughter was both beautiful and also very clever, but tradition stood in the way of her succeeding her father.


He seemed to be a good clan chief, the people lived in peace and all seemed to be well with little trouble or in-fighting among them.

It was therefore with some surprise that the people heard the news that the chief was going to hand over half of his realm to a younger man. This younger man on his death, if he had proven to be a good chief would inherit the rest of the realm. The decision would be made on the basis of a simple contest.

The person who could come before the chief and teach him how to make a good bowl of porridge would take both the hand of his daughter in marriage and half of his realm. Being a wise chief the daughter would be given say in who was permitted to take part in the contest. The people were surprised, knowing him of old, it seemed out of character.

On the appointed day the first stage of the process was begun. All those who wished to be put forward appeared before the daughter and were either selected to go ahead or were not. At the end of the day there were still some two hundred candidates.

The next day began, each candidate in his allotted time trying to show the chief how to make good porridge. The process continued over a number of days. After all had been given their turn, nobody had managed to teach the chief how to make good porridge, so he continued to reign on his own.

Once power has been gained it is very difficult to give away.

I have noticed artists who have achieved that allusive something in their work and wondered how they managed it. I have asked them, but found many very reluctant to give away their secrets. I asked them, “If I become a student of yours will I learn how to achieve this effect?” The answer has also often been in the negative. “I do not as yet have that included in my course.” or something to that effect.

I have said it before, but say it again, “This is sad.” Because others may in fact be able to assist in making the effect or technique even better, to the advantage of all.

This is the way of the Tao.

The image above was used because it was inspired by that beautiful part of Scotland where one of the worst ever clan battles took place, Glencoe. My thoughts on the painitng and its construction can be read at  Large Mixed Media