The Tao of Dark Sages - Chapter 14, Part 4

The Tao of Dark Sages
by Scott Bradley

Mark-tzu: I have no more to ‘teach’ and will say no more. I count each one of you a friend and fellow-pilgrim and affirm and accept each of you just as you are.

Sue-tzu: I hope you’ll at least talk to me, Mark-tzu?

Mark-tzu: Yes, My Dumpling, I will always have words for you. And for all of you, in fact — though not as I whisper them to Sue-tzu or as a teacher.

Sue-tzu: Well, that leaves things with me, I guess; and I have already decided that given the possibility of renewed warfare here in our little valley, that we should probably all move on. That, of course, is up to you individually. But for me and...Mark-tzu...?

(Nods)

For me and Mark-tzu it’s time to get lost once again. So, with what should I leave you all, besides my saying that I love and appreciate you each one? I think I might share with you a poem which one of you — who wishes to remain anonymous — recently wrote:

What a joy, this lazy stream,
Rising and passing beyond all knowing,
To and from an unknown sea.

I won’t spoil it by explaining it — you are perfectly capable of experiencing its meaning yourselves. I would like to suggest, however, that you are like this stream — complete and perfect being just what it is. And what a joy that is! And so I say, enjoy being your self. Do not try to escape your self. Rather, embrace and affirm it so that it might be more fully what it can be. Enjoy your self. Take joy in this momentary expression of Life which is you.

EPILOGUE
And so these adventures in self-discovery with Sue-tzu, Mark-tzu, Grasshopper and yes, all of us privileged to take part, finally came to an end. I have been able to keep in touch with several of the participants and we continue to meet now and again to share and enjoy. But of Sue-tzu and Mark-tzu, I have had no word. And though I confess that my heart yearns to see them again, it’s probably for the best that they have melted away into the Tao of the dark sages.

If you're interested in reading more from this series by Scott Bradley, go here.