Reflections on the Tao: The Three Treasures

Simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts,

 you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.

Lao Tzu

    It is the season of gift giving and Lao Tzu illuminates the concept with his three treasures.  If I could give the world gifts, I would make sure these three treasures would be included.

   As contemplative photographers, we can give ourselves and our work these treasures as well.  Simplicity in approach, patience to wait for the landscape to direct us, and compassion with our shortcomings, photographically speaking.  We all have our strengths and those are our gifts to each other through our camera work.

   This shoreline image shows the place where a small stream trickles into the pond.  The moving water does not freeze quickly and I sometimes have seen birds drinking here.  Even in nature there are small gifts given everyday and we are blessed by them all.