Shine Along the Way

There are many expressions of the nebulous "ego". We have touched in our writings on many ego facets that we have discovered in ourselves, but we are pretty sure every spiritual traveler has her own encounters with the idiosyncratic longings of the "I". So what should we do with these insights. Is it really true that whenever we identify with our ego, we suffer? Is the ego really all bad while the Self is all good? Couldn't there be something good about the longings of the 'I' after all?

The "I" doesn't have to be your enemy; it all depends on what you do with your longings. The danger is that when you identify with your appearance, with you body, with your success at work, with your status, and even with your spiritual persona, that you get carried away from the Way. We somehow think that we are these fleeting experiences when in fact they are leading us astray from who we truly are. We lose our connection to our true essence which is empty like a vessel, yet abundant, full of variation, yet focussed like a laser, energetic yet still, connective yet seclude. Of course you need to follow the callings of the "I" yet never - not even for a moment - lose sight of our Source. With Her walking next to you there is no worry, no fear and no need to control anything.

When we merge with this Force, She will express Herself through you. You are still encouraged to act but this drive has a different quality. You are open and empty and let the Tao’s energy flow through you. You have become Her voice and instrument. The System knows who you are so along the Way you will get what is dear to your heart. You are unique and special but at the same time you are just a facade covering infinite space inside.  You have that urge to express yourself and venture into a certain direction, but it is really not you. You have become the tool of the Tao.

This kind of expression of yourself has a totally different quality compared to what you were before. In earlier days you expressed your ego to glorify yourself; after you merge with the Tao, whatever you do makes the Way complete. Before you ran after the stuff that shines on the horizon, now you engage with every messenger She sends your way. Before you were marching to your own beat, today you are part of the most magnificent symphony. The beauty is that no matter what happens, we are protected and being taken care of. "Existential angst" is nothing but a weird expression in a foreign dictionary. We are part of a colorful and abundant world that is alive. And all we have to do is to hold Her hand tight.

Many of these gifted artists, scientists, musicians, mentors, cooks, athletes, dancers, mystics and healers are people who are able to tune into Her. Their glory belongs to the Way. Mind though that we don't claim that you necessarily have to become famous and rich. All we are saying is that you will like the way you turn out once you follow the Tao. She knows you better than you do yourself. Become the true color you were born to be. The rainbow is incomplete without you.

By Christian and Su Zhen