The Way to Do Is to Be

I attended college in the early 1970’s.
That was the era of Jesus Freaks, Transcendental Meditation and the Guru Maharaji.
Fortunately, in the midst of all that, I stumbled onto the writings of Trappist monk, Thomas Merton, whose books and spirituality would help me shape a faith which has sustained my life.

But before Thomas Merton there was the Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu and his book, Tao Te Ching, which is a collection of his wisdom sayings. The only saying I remember from reading through that book is this: “The way to do is to be.”

The quote stayed with me, though to tell the truth, I never really understood it.
I guess I have always been too much of a doer.
Make a list. Check things off.
See a problem. Work to find a way to address it
Just being felt too passive for me.

As I said a moment ago, while I remembered the quote I never really understood it.
Until yesterday.
When reflection, written by the Rev. Pete Jones, Pastor of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, NY and shared on social media, pulled Lao Tzu’s quote up from that place where old memories are filed and pushed it front and center in my thinking.
And, I found myself pondering the power of being.

In the face of all of the rhetoric and threats issued by Donald Trump and company, and the threat of potential action, there will be plenty of time for doing over the next several years, but today I can start with being, and being intentional about my being. 
Being kind.
Being respectful.
Being compassionate.
Being open to new neighbors.
Being faithful and not narrowly religious.
Being generous.
Being a builder of community.
Being inclusive.
Being willing to admit when I have hurt another.
Being a learner.
Being all those things Donald Trump and company are not.
And by being those things also being resistance to what is, and to what might come.