Discord

When birds fly too high,

They sing out of tune.

There are times when we feel out of harmony with our surroundings, matters do  not go our way, and we feel confused and disoriented. Sometimes these moments  will last a day, sometimes they may last for weeks.

When we feel like this, we are  not integrated with the Tao, or as it is sometimes metaphorically said, Tao has  flowed elsewhere.

Being constantly in touch with Tao is an ideal. There will be times of misfortune  and discord from external sources.

We can also fall out of synchronization with  Tao through our own follies, as when we act without complete consideration.

Whenever this happens, we are like the birds singing out of tune: We are mired in  discord.

If we keep our patience, we can usually ride out these times.

We should take action and break the stagnation if an opportunity presents itself. Whether it is waiting  or acting, we should always try to bring a situation back into balance so that we can  rejoin Tao.

Whenever we find ourselves linked again, we will feel relieved.

We are back on  track, back on target. But we should learn from each time that we lose Tao. Sometimes this is enough to prevent reoccurrences, and sometimes it is enough to buoy  our hopes through future lean times.

Once we know the Tao, we will recognize it  again and again.

We will not lose faith, even in times of discord.