Free

Sometimes, when negative experiences show up in our life, we tend to complain or blame others, God, or whoever else for our suffering. We often view ourselves as victims of life and easily identify ourselves with the situation and think that our life is doomed forever. Even positive experiences may trap us. We like these experiences so much that we identify ourselves with them and try to run after them even though life has other plans for us right now.

Please be aware that either thinking can be poison. The mind, our expectations, our judgments or previous disappointments keep us from experiencing what is. Whenever reality is different from our fantasy world, we are annoyed and bothered; yet we are missing out a meaningful experience by being elsewhere.

Whenever we remember who we are; whenever experiences just flow through us without sticking to us, we are again aware of our true identity as pure consciousness. We then open ourselves up to life without fear and eagerly engage with what is. We have trust because we experience the Force we are connected to.

Whenever we are reconnected with Her, we know nothing can contaminate us internally, and nothing can touch us externally. We are suddenly free!

By Christian and and Su Zhen

Welcome to the "Real" World

Walking on a spiritual path is a way to a new reality. Have you ever wondered why there are so many conflicts and struggles in our life?  If we observe carefully what is going on, we can find that we all live in an artificial, mind-made world - a fantasy world really. We accept "reality" as is, yet we never question whether our believe system has caused it. Instead we think there must be something wrong about us when we are not able to meet the expectation society has set up for us.

 We never question our role in society. Like robots we go and do our job day in, day out, apparently not questioning whether we are happy or not. One day we may have "made it", actually fulfilling the expectation society has for us. However, we can never get the peace, happiness, love, joy and abundance we are dreaming of. Until that blessed day when a new soul connection opens up. That's when the spiritual path starts in actuality.

The "real" world is wild and full of energy!  It doesn’t care much about the rules and regulation of our society. It invites us to thrive in it. As a spiritual traveler, we are most excited when we get a glimpse of this new world! A new, authentic life is waiting. We eagerly experience everything life brings our way, regardless whether it is up or down, happy or sad. We live intensely in success or failure, health or sickness. Drop all your expectations and discover the magic that is waiting for you.

By Christian and Su Zhen

The Veil

Has it ever happened to you that you opened your eyes and saw, seemingly for the first time, stunning beauty in front of you? You are asking yourself, "Why didn't I see this before?" Could it be that your thoughts, you worries, your expectations prevented you from seeing the world as it is? We Tao folks advise you to keep an eye on what lies in front of you and deal with each situation as it comes. Well, actually this advice is pretty meaningless. Either you see the world as it is or you see the veil, a world interpreted through your thoughts, worries and expectations.

 So what can you do? Learn how to fall in love with the Now, the world as it is. Everyone has satori moments - the moment in time when the world stands still - but to make this experience a lasting one you first have your job to do. Burn your passions by creating the stuff you were born to do. Transform the raging fire inside and transform this energy into lasting serenity. Face your fears and worries to the best of your abilities. Step towards the sea with an army of adversaries closing in from behind and say, "Sea, in the name of Moses part now", and if it doesn't, laugh heartedly and jump right in. We can't promise you that you will get what you want, but we can promise that a world beyond expectation is waiting for you if you open up to it. Follow your life's mission, keep your eyes open and the veil is lifted for you.

Let the Tao Answer Your Prayer

Osho has a very interesting observation about how people pray to God.  He said when people pray, they often try to change God's Mind about what they should get. God should fix the problems they have. Isn't that how we all are? We have opinions about life and think that things should be otherwise.

God is outside of us as long as we run after our illusions, just as a magical world is opening up to us when we start recognizing God's loving messengers. But there is even something magnificent about the troubles that we have created for ourselves. These challenges are subconsciously designed to bring as back into God's arms. There is only one requirement, let go of your expectations and deal with, even honor everything that comes your way; independent of whether you think it is a blessing or a nuisance.

Why don’t we switch our mindset instead?  Instead of seeking our notion of happiness, success, and stability, we take life as it is.  Let’s face and accept the fact that life is never an centrally controlled air conditioner; life is wild and mostly out of our control no matter how hard we try. This is actually the fun part.  Let’s welcome life as it is and drop the idea of changing or controlling it.  Let’s go downhill skiing while it snows and let's go surfing or boating in the summer; enjoy the flowers blooming in the spring and float with the drifting beautiful leaves in the autumn wind.  Let’s tune into the rhythm of life and be in peace with it!  When you do that, observe for yourself how your expectations and opinions are swallowed by the Now.

God is always there for you and every single prayer of yours is answered. Yet there is one requirement to receive Her messages, let go of the manufactured world that you created for yourself. If you truly want to meet God we have good news for you. Let life - the Tao - bring you to Her. Embrace life and get lost in it. Without your grandiose expectations you will start seeing glimmers of love that you have never noticed before. A small opening to this divine parallel universe is all that is needed. Soon you will be bathing in a blazing light that shines away the small and stale world of yours. Life wants to give you so much more. Go out, face the music and dance to your heart's desire. The secrets and the mystery of the Tao are waiting for you. Take the first step and you will have a lot of fun.

By Christian and Su Zhen