The Yin of Inner Leadership - 出 會 de-ai

 

 

The Yin of Inner Leadership

 

陰

 

yin

 

literally, "the female principle"

 

 

 

3. Timing

 

出 會

 

de-ai

 

literally, "to flow together";

timing, interval,

the way life's energies flow in cycles or patterns

 

 

Tao leaders live close to nature.

Their actions flow from the heart.

In words, they are true;

In decisions, just;

In business, effective;

In action, aware of the timing.

 

(Tao, 8)

 

 

 

Prevention: The Wisdom of Small Actions

 

They're the building blocks in the architecture of your life,

the quiet victories you win for yourself each day.

 

 

Tje Wisdom of the Seasons

 

 "To every thing there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under haeaven."

 

 

A Time to Plant: The Wisdom of Spring

 

Knowing When the Wind Shifts

Filing Your Flight Plan: Goals and Directions

 

 

A Time to Grow: The Wisdom of Summer

 

The Lesson of Ma-ai,

the distance in time and space between two people,

two events, or two energies,

the rhythms of yin and yang,

action and contemplation, society and solitude.

 

 

Knowing when enough is enough

Is wealth of spirit.

 

(Tao, 33)

 

 

Time Bandits and Boundary Violations

 

Patience with the Process

 

 

A Time to Harvest: The Wisdom of Autumn

 

 

The wise leader knows

When enough is enough.

 

Stretch a bow too far

And it will snap.

Sharpen a knife too much

And its edge will not last.

Fill your house with gold and jade,

And you cannot defend it.

Exalting in your success

Invites a certin fall.

When your work is done,

It is time to move on.

 

(Tao, 9)

 

 

A Time to Contemplate: The Wisdom of Winter

 

 

Looked at, it cannot be seen.

Listened to , it cannot be heard.

Reached for, it cannot be held.

Beyond all description,

The three blend as one.

 

It is neither dark nor light.

Returning to its essence,

It is the form of the formless,

The image without image,

Beyong all definition.

Meeting it, there is no beginning.

followingit, there is no end.

 

Hold to this timeless pattern

Throughout the time of your life,

Aware of the eternal cycles,

The essence of Tao.

 

(Tao, 14)

 

 

Aware of the dynamic cycles within and around us,

we learn to blend with them and lead with the Tao,

becoming more successful in all the seasons of our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Dreher, Diane. The Tao of Personal Leadership. Harper Collins Publishers. New York. 1997.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 to be continued...