The magic in getting out of the way

My latest daily mailout is as follows, I thought I would share it here but also share the full chapter from 'My Tao Te Ching' which I reference, along with another which is connected, in case you'd like to read a little more.

Having talked the last couple of days about presence, I felt moved to also talk about a useful kind of absence.  

I know that as a facilitator, coach, minister, leader, manager, parent - and in many of my other roles in life over the years - I have been amazed at how often the best work is done when I get out of the way!  There is a way that I can of course be involved in shaping the space, but it is the space which really enables the magic to happen.  An old saying I remember our tutors sharing in the Interfaith Seminary when studying spiritual counselling was:

"Godess/God does the work, I just make the tea!"

A related bit of 'My Tao Te Ching' is:

The Wise Fool leads by example
And when the job is done
Everyone celebrates
Their own success.

I'll pop the whole of this one and another related chapter on my blog if you want to go and read it.

Go well and simply my friends.

 

Chapter 17
The best acts are almost invisible,
The next best are known and loved,
The next: feared,
And finally, those that are despised.
As you trust, so shall you be trusted.
The Wise Fool leads by example
And when the job is done
Everyone celebrates
Their own success.

 

Chapter 11
A disk of wood can be fun,
But it's when we make a hole in the middle that we can use it as a wheel.
A ball of clay can be fun,
But it's when we scoop out the middle that we can use it as a bowl.
A giant box can be fun,
But it's when we cut a door that we can get inside.
The outer form – the thing – can be fun.
What's inside – the no-thing – is what gives it purpose.