You Are Never Alone

She was an experienced world traveler, and enjoyed many contacts in high society. Most recently she had traveled to Spain and met with the economic experts of the Spanish president. Perhaps it was something she had eaten, perhaps it was a bug, but somehow through the meeting she felt like the energy was leaving her system. She kept her questions brief and on the way out asked if she could use the rest-room. Walking towards it she fainted and when she woke up she was in a state of the art hospital.  An friendly nurse took all her vital signs and when, somewhat embarrassed, she wanted to leave in a hurry, the nurse said to her, "Just relax, we are so happy that we can help. We are the medical sport staff of the president, but the president never gets sick."

At some point of our life we all have to face the fact that we are not immortal. In adverse circumstances we can be  as fragile as a rose. So we all have to deal with disease, aging and death. When this insight hits, we will naturally feel powerless, insecure and vulnerable. Worse, when we have to deal with these situations we feel alone,  while the rest of the world seems to be having fun.  We all need to experience these emotions alone and then see whether we can consequently gain our strength from within to deal with it.  However rich we are, however powerful, however enlightened or wise, we all have to face sickness, decay and death.  Yet in all that negative stuff we probably discover unexpected kindness as well, just as our seasoned traveler discovered on her trip to Spain. Every period of struggle will probably also bring a deeper understanding of what others go through and help will show up from unexpected places. A Tao traveler knows that in fortune as well as failure, pleasure as well as pain, we are connected. We also know that every experience is something to be open to.

Whether we are all one as they say is something you will have to find out for yourself. In a sense that is what Taoism is all about, looking for the connections amongst your so-called enemies as well as your friends, in sickness as in health. Venture out of your comfort zone and see what you find. With every  experience, you broaden your heart and expand your focus, and you probably find something you want to share with this world. It is said that Steve Jobs last words before life left him were "Of Wow, oh wow, oh wow ...". Perhaps he was hallucinating, perhaps he saw divinity even in his last breath. One day we will know ourselves, but until then let's enjoy our experiences and connectedness.

Maybe you can send this note to a friend ...

By Christian and Su Zhen