Mind the Dark Force (Revised)

The spiritual community has made a big step forward by putting the God versus devil struggle in the background. Instead, we internalize the divine as well as destructive force inside ourself with help of the ego versus True Self contrast. Yet, something is still missing. What about our soul? Isn't our soul somewhere in between ego and True Self? And isn't the ego versus True Self the battle between evil and good in new clothes? We Tao traveler have a different perspective. We tend to say, "nothing is either good or bad", quoting Shakespeare, "only  thinking makes it so. Our soul has longings that need to be satisfied. We argue there is a Way that gets you there.

No doubt that there is a force that wants to keep us away from the Way. I have often seen it in action. Yet, the same force wants to conquer, wants to possess and wants to advance. Does is really make sense to feel bad about these desires; the aspirations of what we want to have or what we want to be? Isn't there a "good" versus "bad" ego in us?  The soul combines our God connection as well as our earthly mission statement that still has to be completed. Why can't we celebrate the innovative ways we find to express our earthly desires while still operating in harmony with the cosmic design? The Way does this for us.

The Tao defines a divine Path for our earthly desires. We can have it all - all our authentic needs get satisfied while experiencing God every step of the Way. Yet, there is a dark force inside of us that starts running with these desire and literally takes us for a ride. The ride can feel thrilling at times but whenever we deviate from love and spiritual meaning it gets annoying pretty fast. So how about this distinction instead, there are the longings of our soul and there is the Way. Follow your dreams but be mindful of the voice in your head that wants you to wander off in a different direction. Mind that dark force, it is easy to do. All you have to do is to make sure that She is with you every step of the Way.

If There is a Will, There is a Way

Our pain sometimes comes from the problem that we don’t want to deal with what is. We don’t want to take action for what we know is necessary to do at that special moment. We run away from what is and pretend that problems will somehow solve itself. However, it is not that we enjoy inaction either. Deep inside, there is restlessness and there is turbulence that just doesn't go away. We don’t feel peaceful until the one day - after we have had suffered enough pain - we are ready to face this responsibility and do what we need to. Suddenly the issues we dreaded so much start dissolving in front of our astonished eyes. We always had the energy, the wisdom and the determination to deal with it; life just had to remind us of this fact.

You will never come across any issue which is too difficult for you. You must be ready to tackle it if you are willing to face it and take the responsibility. It may be a little painful to get started, and you may have no idea how to proceed. However, it is just like we build our muscles. The first few exercises are a little painful but you soon gain strength and the tension fades. As we keep putting our mind on it it feels just like a piece cake.  We feel good about ourself and have more confidence to proceed.

You probably know the expression "if there is a will there is a way". Well, for aTao traveler this becomes a no-brainer. The Way is always at our disposal. As a matter of fact, there is very little will that is required, all you really have to do is to keep an eye on the Way. You make your first step and the rest will be easy as 1 2 3. If there is a will, the Way will be just around the corner.

By Christian and Su Zhen

The Tao of Passion

Flowers do not struggle to bloom.
Water does not struggle to flow.
The sun does not struggle to shine.
Struggle is un-natural -
be like nature and go with the flow.
(Zen quote in Spiritual Networks)

We sometimes think of a spiritual path as a dance - you often follow the energy of your dancing partner and are gently swayed to places, but on occasions you lead as well.

You are part of an energy vibration wherever you are; the environment you are operating in and the people you interact with. When people you care for struggle you cannot help being under the negative influence, just as you cannot help rejoicing when they flourish. Life is an eternal up and down. Learn to be aware of these moments and give yourself the space and time to digest this energy flow. Just as with the weather, there are days when you carry an umbrella, days when you wear sunglasses and days when you better stay at home.

Be open to every situation that comes your way and the energy will flow right through you. It is the resistance to these energy fluctuations that bring trouble. Besides, there is a lot you can do to actively manage these energy fluctuations. Allow yourself to be surrounded with positive energy when the lifting gets heavy. Do the things you love to restore your energy balance.

Observe yourself, when you are doing something you love, you can always find a limitless energy supply inside of you. When you are passionate about something, the Tao will always be in harmony with you. But then, when whatever it is that you have to do becomes a drag, know that you must be overlooking something somewhere. Love provides the passion so when you find that the going gets tough remind yourself why your mission matters to you and your loved ones in the first place. Similarly, when you fail to see the purpose just drop whatever it is you are doing.

Love and passion give you energy and the supply is abundant. Whenever you find that love and passion, know that you are in tune with the universe and limitless energy is flowing through you. Enjoy the Tao of passion.

By Christian and Su Zhen

The Lesson of the Bamboo Tree

There was once a massive bamboo tree that gave its owner a lot of joy. The tree was very happy and always felt appreciated. But then one day the owner came and said that a storm had devastated a neighbor's roof. So he needed to cut a number of branches to help out. Naturally, the tree was very sad but then it figured that there will still be plenty of branches left over, so the tree agreed.

The tree and the owner lived happily for many more years together but then one day the owner approached the tree again and said that he needed to cut it down as the town was in need of wood to build a bridge to a new school. The tree was devastated and no matter how much it contemplated the situation it just couldn't agree to such a violent act. The owner thanked the tree for its decades of service but reminded it that bamboo trees do not live that long. So if instead it would serve scores of children for decades to come in form of a bridge, it's existence would be so much more meaningful. That made sense to the tree and it graciously gave permission to the owner to be cut.

At home I have a "bible" based on Kerry Spackman's "The Winner's Bible". You write down the stuff that is important to you, you make plans for the future and you record major accomplishments that were really important for you. The bible describes your path and can be altered every day and every step along the Way. Yet, if you are really honest with yourself, you will probably find - like I had to - that there can be conflicts between what you really want and what your spiritual notion of your Self tells you. That's ok, just keep on rearranging and re-defining your goals until one day the vision of yourself merges with your Self. Often it is by getting exactly what you want, but sometimes it is by understanding that a different outcome is more meaningful, just like the bamboo tree had to find out.

That's what a spiritual path does for you, but you have to bring your conflicts out in the open otherwise life cannot interact with you. The worst thing is that you repress what is truly meaningful to you in the name of spirituality. Life will always force everything to the surface, so make it a conscious soul finding process instead. The Winner's Bible can help you!

Follow Your Dreams

Your biggest satisfaction comes from going after your dreams. You derive it from facing everything that life throws at you and from having fun no matter what. Only you know what your mission might be. Could it be climbing the ranks in a big, successful company? Could it be the satisfaction of being your own entrepreneur, or raising and guiding your children as a stay-home parent? You start with a vision, but you are flexible enough to let life have a say in this journey too. You probably face challenges getting your dreams materialized as we all do, but it may already dawn on you that despite these interferences it is in fact the journey that provides the joy, while the aspired destination will just be an important milestone along the way.

All the stress and irritation about potential problems comes from the fear that someone or something may prevent you from reaching your destination. But what if you realize that life guides you in fact to get what you truly need? What if you figure out along the way that every obstacle gives you the opportunity to aim even higher? From that moment on you will happily embrace all challenges as you start enjoying the climb instead. You realize that it is the journey that gives you the satisfaction, the feeling of accomplishment, the joy and the skills.

The veil you had seen before was entirely of your own making. By living in the future you in fact failed to perceive the now. By fearing problems of the past could interfere again, you failed to grasp opportunities that presented themselves today. Once you connect with the holy now – the access to the creative life force named Tao – the veil will drop and a beautiful scenery will show up instead. Follow your dreams - they will provide you with a ride of a life-time.

By Christian and Su Zhen

Honor Your Mission

There is a lot of respect in our community for the so-called enlightened folks. The difference between you and them is that you still need the world you live in to advance spiritually. If you found a gini in a bottle and could get everything you aspired to have, you would end up being miserable indeed. So honor your mission, respect the constraints that you perceive in your life and know that it is these challenges that propel you on your path.

Our "enlightened" folks have everything they ever needed. So they don't need aspirations, challenges and missions like you do. Yet in front of God there is perfect equality. In the holy Now you are as "enlightened" as they are. But to reach that stage you have to face life with everything you got. So honor all your challenges as much as you enjoy your pleasures. Along the Tao you are as much "there" as anyone.

Share Your Present With the World

We have chosen to become the messenger of the Tao in our writings, in our interactions with others and in the way we let Her flow through us. This mission is a process, an ongoing alignment with a Force that we both can see, sense, feel and often understand. Since this inspiration can't be taken for granted, and given that these moments of connectedness mean so much for us, we both do whatever we can to cut out interferences to the best of our abilities. We connect with the Tao when we write and when we are mindful of the moment and when we spend time with others. The beauty of being a Tao traveler is that you can find Her anywhere, at home, at work; wherever your heart is, She is as well. When you are connected to the Source, every activity becomes divine by itself because it is like God is leading Her life through you. How can you not feel joyful, peaceful, loving and creative when God is with you all the time?

Eckhart Tolle is right. Living in the Now means to be enlightened by life. Consciousness shines through you at the time when you share your present with others. In the Now, your ego dissolves and with it your worries, your burdens and suffering. When you are enlightened by life there is only joy, laughter, love, peace and serene energy.

You will find your unique way of connecting with the miracle of life. Anything that is dear to your heart can be an expression of your devotion to Her. Explore your interests and  hobbies and let life help you finding out how you can make a living out of it. Let it be writing, music, acting, cooking, drawing, science, learning, teaching or caring for others.  When you do what you love, Her consciousness is flowing through you. You are literally a magnet and you are attracting the opportunities to share your enthusiasm with the rest of the world, while the activity per se will be literally effortless.

The Bhagavad Gita says, "You have the right to express yourself creatively, but you have no right to the fruit of your action." This doesn't mean that you as a creator will end up penniless, all it says is, do not concern yourself with the rewards. Let life figure all this out for you. Don't get bogged down in trying to calculate how the world will evaluate your present. Your present is literally priceless and life will make sure that you have everything your heart truly desires. Let life show you the way how to transcend from "making a living" to "living to express your True Self".One fact you can be sure of, your loved ones will champion your creative outlet.They signed up for this role of seeing you excel in your spiritual dimension a long time ago.

Focus on your present and how to share it and don't lose sleep over what society may or may not value at the current moment. We are entering the Creative Age and with it a new mind set and openness for your creative self-expression. Share your present with the world. What are you waiting for?

By Christian and Su Zhen