Principles

“An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot, it will succeed where diplomacy may fail. It will always unite the Human race where all else divides.”

~Thomas Paine

Black Cloud

Conservation of Energy

“In mountain snow, nature conserves water for summer’s use; 
Summer’s blossoms are planted in autumn to nourish spring.”

“To every time, there is a season.”

There is a cycle in nature that allows what we observe today to have a different purpose tomorrow. Everything in nature can be reduced to fuel, food or energy of some type. In this way, nature conserves energy for productive use when needed.

Leaves take in sunlight during spring and summer, yet become fertilizer in the fall. Temperatures change throughout the year to transform water’s molecular structure. Warm temperatures generate faster molecular movement that leads to spring and summer rains. During winter, lower temperatures decrease molecular movement altogether. In its frozen state, water at higher altitudes is conserved as snow for later use downriver.

When you boil water, the movement of molecules goes so fast, steam is produced. In clouds too, the water molecules develop sufficient kinetic energy to overcome any bonding forces that would hold them together and rain is released asprecipitation. In the same way, situations that unfold faster than you can deal with them in the moment – can make you blow your lid. You release anger during the precipitous events that enable you to release the buildup of pressure.

Just as the heat, clouds and rain cannot be separated in their interaction – what causes your anger is not the event, and it is not necessarily bad. In most cases your response was more than the situation warranted. You had already reached yourboiling point, and were simmering for some time. The difference between response and reaction is the past attitude you place onpresent events. Nature’s conservation of energy might inspire you to become more conservative in your approach. An inability to respond appropriately to the time is like a farmer trying to plant corn in the snow.

Be inspired by nature’s laws of conservation to use and release the energy of expression by being more responsive and less reactive. Take personal responsibility for the unprocessed energy you carry with you. Ice and snow capture the molecular shape of water in its crystal formation and is actually quite beautiful. It serves as a snapshot of the shape of harmony that can compose your inner core.

Respond more and react less. Explore the difference between the two. Being responsive to the moment ensures that energy can be conserved for a more practical purpose later. Anger can serve a purpose if it releases you from your hold on the past. Nothing in life is static however, so it does no good to hold onto anything.

Experience shapes you, but if you have closed off your ability to respond to life, situations often unfold to release you. When you are critical of yourself and others, it may be difficult for you to achieve the type of control you desire. When a leaf is tugged from a branch, it is not a critical gesture. Without letting its leaves fall, there would be no nutrients for its roots. When a river carries dirt downstream, nothing has been lost. The elements that compose our universe today – existed in the beginning. All things ebb and flow, finding productive use of the time.

Trust in life’s gentle prodding for release – nothing is ever working against you. If you derive your self worth by solving problems, you will find a road composed of many problems. In nature there is a time and there is a season for all activity. Composing your inner world allows you to become master of your experiences. Being open, you will discover harmony in all you do.

From an iPhone app by Way of Tao

“Great perfection will always appear chipped. Without controlling anything, 
you can become the master of your experiences.”