The Tao of Dark Sages - Chapter 22

The Tao of Dark Sages
by Scott Bradley

Scott-tzu: Sue-tzu, I thought you were with Gabi.

Sue-tzu: No, she’s managed to get Mark-tzu talking, so I thought I’d leave her to it.

Then you are going to teach me?

What do you need to be taught? You needn’t answer. I know what you will say, ‘nothing’ and that is why you have all you need. Maybe it’s time you just affirmed your own understanding — and left off with this disciple shit. Why is it that you don’t just stand up and be?

I’ll need to think about that one. My gut feeling is that it would seem deceitful to pretend that I was enough in the Tao to...stand without reference to the teaching of others. Yet, I know the adventure is at heart a solitary one.

But you are in the Tao, Scott-tzu. Your understanding is substantial and unique to yourself.

And what of my failure to practice what I understand?

You tell me.

‘Failure’ has nothing to do with anything. It’s not about being a good boy. It’s not about behavior. Centered in Tao, behavior arises incidentally, not purposely. Acceptance and affirmation of what is includes what I am or perceive myself to be. Letting ‘ me’ be and letting ‘me’ go is part of laying down the whole burden of existence. ‘Practice’ is doing, not not-doing. I understand these things. Experience them. But I also experience fear of not practicing what I preach.

Then don’t preach. But you don’t preach. You managed to keep Gabi completely innocent of your wisdom, though she tells me that, in retrospect, she sensed something in you beyond what you project. And that is what has drawn her to me and Mark-tzu — what she first saw in you.

She has sure taken to the Tao like a fish to water.

She’s close to joining Mark-tzu, I think, in ‘la, la land’, as you call it. Amazing, really. Mark-tzu senses it — that’s why he’s opening up to her a bit, I think. We might soon have two ‘not-buddhas’ on our hands.

An enlightened Gabi — I can’t wait to see what that will be like!

I don’t think I’ll be here long enough. It’s time I spent time with my parents in California. I was wondering if you might want to join me for some of the trip — at least as far as Katmandu.

And Gabi?

I think Gabi would want to stay here with Mark-tzu. And I’m thinking that you and I might want to spend some time together. In fact, I know we do. And there’s no need to worry about ‘hurt feelings’ or ‘failed relationships’ because there would be none.

When shall we leave?

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