When two great forces oppose each other,
the victory will go
to the one that knows how to yield.
the victory will go
to the one that knows how to yield.
*
~
We yield...our steps to ground, our hearts to
nature. The path is our surrender and
distance brings us to a new
horizon.
We let go - in thought and stride - and that is
our arrival.
There is strength in letting go. To yield on the path - not fighting hills, or tired legs but bringing a gentle awareness to our experience - that brings the strength needed to thrive on the longest runs. In denial and a rush to push through pain and fatigue or the thousand other conditions that can affect a run, we limit ourselves to thought and body. We seek will power to push through the tough moments. And yet all of these are finite sources. Awareness and acceptance brings patience and these three qualities put us in touch with the infinite - our true source of power. To yield is not to give up - it's to relinquish ego and turn to spirit. Yielding is to turn our steps into prayers and further steps become the answer. If we fight the path we fight ourselves. There is no winner. If we yield - we run forever.
Peace,
Eric
*
Portion of the Tao Te Ching translated by Stephen Mitchell
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