When Two Paths Become One

There are two ways of doing things, you can be in tune with the Tao and effectively become Her instrument, or you can run after your ego's agenda. When you are in accordance with the Way, everything becomes effortless and you actually recharge yourself with all these activities. When you run after the demands of the "I", you certainly can feel exhilarated and exuberant, but you will also feel restless and anxious. Fear and depression will be your companion when you do it your way, just as peace and love will be wherever She walks.

Fact of the matter is that we always experience both states and there is nothing we can do about it. The desires of the "I" have to be respected, just as Her handwriting is always on the wall no matter how egotistic we might get.  Even if we tried, we couldn't block Her out completely. So keep on doing what you are doing until you have reached the blessed "been there, done that" state. With the "I" deflating, the Tao will take over naturally.

What you can do though while you are at it, be aware of everything that is happening to you. Following the Tao requires an inner and outer awareness. When you are deeply connected with what is, a Guide will tell you what to do moment by moment. The ego's agenda is washed away by the magic in the air. You don’t have any plan, yet your actions will be as straight-forward and purposeful as if they had been planned decades ahead.

In the same way, you can be aware of how everything feels once you are under the ego's spell. You tend to rush from action to action to accomplish your mission. Constraints become nuisances, people who stand in your way become your foes, just as partners in mission become friends. Below the layer of hunger for what you are eying is always a lingering fear that you might not get it, or that it might be taken way from you. Even once you get what you want, the more things pile up, the more you want. Sadly, the restlessness inside never goes away, and once you think that you are over the hill, is replaced by a depression.

Please don't make the mistake that you want to follow the Tao and that you want to say no to the demands of the "I". This is a mistake that our spiritual community often makes. Do not "want" anything, just observe! To connect with the Tao, all you have to do is to see the magic in life that is always there. It is just that most people can't see the gold lying on the ground because they are too busy running after what glitters on the horizon. Do not negate any of your desires, but please take a step back and look for the red threat on the ground. Once you see the Way, faced by Her beauty, the demands of the "I" will naturally fade into nothingness.

 Don't worry, what seems like duality is really just one. When you run after the demands of the "I" you also follow Her path, yet, you know it not and the fruits along the way are sometimes sweet and sometimes bitter. But once She takes you by the hand your journey becomes a conscious one instead. Restlessness turns into peace, passion into serenity and fear of the unknown into certainty. Follow us along the Way -  what choice do you have anyway.

By Christian and Su Zhen