Continuation

Today's reading in 365 Tao by Deng Ming-Dao:

Upon completion comes fulfillment.
With fulfillment comes liberation.
Liberation allows you to go on.
Even death is not a true ending.
Life is infinite continuation.

This is the last reading in the book I have been using in my daily spiritual discipline this year. Read a page, that includes some explanation or a story reflecting the short poem or series of lines; then write; then sit in silence. It has been a good practice this year. A good introduction to Tao. A whole year of commitment. And now a completion.

Just the other day, I began a new book, to prepare for a sermon, called Going Home: Jesus and Buddha as Brothers by Thich Nhat Hanh. The Vietnamese Buddhist teacher also talks about continuation...no birth no death...no separation...all part of the other.

Hard to believe at times. But I am starting to see.

It has been a year of births and deaths. All connected. Strung end to beginning to end to beginning. I like the image of continuation. I like the feeling of being able to connect to each and all, at some level...through recall, breath, image, a cosmic kiss.

Happy end beginnings, friends.

We are connecting, even now.