from The Handbook by Epictetus, “Where Your Piety Goes”

31.
The essence of a proper
relationship with nature

is to see that nature

does what nature
does very well.

Obey nature.
Yield to nature.
Nature is wise.

Yield and you will not fault nature.
You won’t think nature is punishing you.

All you need remember is
what is within your power.

Good and evil? Remember what
is within your power.

You want to assign blame? Why?

Assign evil to something and
what do you do?
Blame those who do it?
What is the point?

Think about this: every creature is
inclined toward avoiding what it hates
and pursuing what it loves.

Think about this:
there is no way you will rejoice
in the success of those
you think hurt you.

Where our interests are,
that is where our piety goes.

Isn’t this the way with
the sailor and the weather

or the merchant and the deal?
And when we lose loved ones?

Learn nature. Then start noticing
where your desires and aversions go.

The Rev. Dr. David Breeden

Rev. Breeden is Senior Minister at First Unitarian Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He became a minister after a career as a university professor, teaching creative writing and literature. His books include Raging for the Exit, a conversation in poetry with philosopher and theologian Dr. Steven Schroeder; News from the Kingdom of God, a meditation manual based on The Gospel of Thomas; and They’ve Played for Timelessness (with Chips of When), his most recent collection of poetry. He also translates the works of Humanists of classical antiquity, some of which will appear on this blog. He also writes for UU Collective on the Spirituality Channel here at Patheos. )