The Eternal Dance of Fire and Water

Daoism is often regarded as the most humble of traditions because its focus lies not on dominating or achieving but on aligning with the natural process and flow of life. It teaches harmony with the way things are—the Dao—by observing how nature effortlessly fulfills its purpose.

The Nature of Fire and Water

Consider fire: its natural inclination is to rise, expand, and consume. It seeks to engulf its surroundings and ascend toward the sky. Water, on the other hand, flows downward, seeking the lowest point where it can rest. It follows the path of least resistance, moving with effortless grace toward stillness and balance.

In a culture dominated by the qualities of fire—passion, ambition, and upward movement—we need the balancing influence of water. Historically, matriarchal societies, often described as “cultures of water,” turned to fire-based religions to bring balance with qualities of focus, clarity, and ascent. Conversely, in today’s patriarchal “culture of fire,” we must learn from water: how to cool the mind, lower ourselves, and follow the flow to balance the extremes of heat and ambition.

The Cycle of Transformation

Fire does not rise indefinitely. At its peak, it transforms. The heat of fire expands to form clouds, which cool and fall as rain. This rain nourishes the earth, allowing trees to grow. The trees eventually return to fire as ash, which enriches the soil. The minerals from this soil seep into deep caverns, enriching water sources. This water rises again to nourish the land, completing an eternal cycle of fire, air, water, and earth (plus the in-between).

This cycle reflects the unending rhythm of life: nothing exists in isolation, and everything transforms to sustain the whole.

The Lesson of Days and Cycles

Now, consider the days of the week. Does Monday ever complete its purpose and then declare itself finished? No. Monday fulfils its role and returns the following week, just as every other day does. Our perception might assign more importance to certain days, like Friday or Saturday, but each day has its own role in the eternal rhythm.

When you learn to recognize the process and flow within these cycles, they no longer feel oppressive. Instead, they offer freedom. By embracing the cosmic order—the rise and fall, the high and low, the fire and water—you live in harmony with the rhythms of life. You work with them, rather than against them, allowing the natural balance to carry you forward. You begin to walk along the grain.

What are books without the hands?

 Without the hands, books are merely objects, lifeless without interaction. It’s the feeling, the intimacy, that transforms them — making each book an experience rather than just a thing. The connection develops as you hold the book, shaping a relationship that deepens over time. At first, you examine its exterior, drawn in by its form. But as you turn each page, feeling its texture and grain beneath your fingers, the book ceases to be just an object. It becomes a presence. This tangible, physical artefact begins to transcend its identity, blossoming into a spiritual relationship between two resonant beings. In those moments, the book and the reader — two vibrating carbon bodies — sync, resonating on the same level for however long this shared experience unfolds.

Through time and touch, by feeling its shape and contours, you start to see the book’s true essence. Each interaction leaves an imprint, each layer of experience and learning adding to the depth of this bond. The grooves and textures match and deepen, becoming richer every time your hands meet its form.

What do your hands know of intimacy?

Too exhausted to write

Today when I was stewarding the gate. All giddy at first, high spirits letting the hands show the way and the voice lead after. Appreciating the weather and people's smiles. But as I’ve come to the end I’m too fuckin exhausted to write. All I wanna do is pick up the pen and have my rent covered as I scribble away all these thoughts from my head until there’s nothing left but…

Emptiness 

I’m too exhausted to write

All I wanna do is write 

But I’m so fuckin tired 

Tired from two days of work back standing on the feet 

It’s been so long and I’m already fuckin exhausted

Characters in my head beating me up for being a fucking pussy 

Others chiming in to remind of leg beaters 

It’s okay to be tired 

But all I wanna do is write, make, and have my least expenses covered without having to break my back 

I’m just too tired to write. 

But maybe this is the fight. 

Or the flight and glide between struggle and ease 

The ease of the words that fall from this tongue 

But it’s not the tongue this time that writes but the the thumbs that type on this metal one I carry everywhere

Ye I’m too tired for this 

But maybe I’m not as I feel the words spill from my gut 

I can feel the heatstroke softening 

The legs that were stiff now softening 

The thoughts it my head that fought now softening 

Maybe this is okay 

It doesn’t have to be perfect because of this ringing in my head 

WRITE EVERYFUCKING DAY 

how dare you miss one how you so shit 

You can’t even be consistent for a bit 

But nah it’s okay 

Coz maybe this is all it takes 

Just a few words that spill on a trip home from chaos to calm 

The opposite of the second law of therma

But for me this is the first 

Don’t fight, no perfecto pls, just write man and 

Breatheeeee 

123

outtttttt

12

And you’re free

Your body has all the clues

The secrets from your past are there 

The clues to your future are there 

Listen to your body 

Feel where the pain is inside and out 

Once locked in and onto the point listen deeper 

There is a trail to follow 

Give in and go 

There isn’t much difference between the body and mind as you might think. 

If you’re aware it will make itself known.

Just be willing to submit to your own body.

The clues are already there. 

They’re just waiting for you to find them.