Renewal

City on a hill,

Untouched land beyond.

A fallow field is

The secret of fertility.

In the city, we see millions of lives represented in the windows, doors, and many  floors of each building.

We see excitement and the glories of civilization. But no  matter how much those who follow Tao may enjoy the city, they understand the  need for retreat into nature.

In the countryside, they find the nurturing quality of freedom.

They can see new  possibilities and can wander without societal impositions. In the past, pioneers  saw the open prairies and were filled with dreams of dominating nature with the  glories of man.

Now we know different: We must preserve the wilds for our very  survival.

We need time to lie fallow.

If you cannot leave the city, just find a little quiet  time each day to withdraw into yourself. If you are able to walk in fields or in the  hills, so much the better.

But none of us can maintain the fertility of our beings  without renewal.