Seeing Temptations for What They Are

Be never fearful of temptation then, but see it as it is; another chance to choose again.
(A Course in Miracles)

We are conditioned all through our lives to do the right thing, whatever that may be. There are the expectations of the church, the community, our parents, and so many others. And then there is the media that often subconsciously primes us to do exactly the opposite. So we are left with a pull and push; an arousal of the so- called dark side, a feeling that we can't live with and can't live without.

When we just follow the teaching of others and the commandments of religions to do the "right" thing, we can still feel the struggle inside ourselves. Religion is the trust that a higher authority will keep that stuff away from us. Taoism is different; along the Way you accept everything as is. We don't separate the world into "good" and "bad". When we feel that there is something that leads us away from the Tao, we accept it, deal with it and find a way to either make it work for us or drop it by the wayside. And if temptations just keep coming back, we know that there is still something inside of us that we haven't yet dealt with. Life is not here to torture is, it is here to help us discover who we truly are.

Shadow work is the acceptance of everything that is going on inside of us. How can we blame ourselves over it? Say if our parents never accepted a particular conflict in themselves and projected their conflict onto you, how can we beat ourselves up over it? Accept it, do something with it and resolve the conflict that they never could. That's our job anyway. Building on what our parents have already achieved and tackle the stuff they couldn't get done. We are not any "better" than our parents. No matter how much we try, we will always leave a little homework for your children behind as well.

There is no right or wrong. As we accept who we are, we are finally in a position to transform our conflicts and get the negative energy out in the open. Tackle the challenges life confronts you with. Life - the Tao - is more creative than the wildest fiction story but you have to find the key to unlocking its secret first. Start looking for the Way. It is in your power to transform all the darkness into the light.  The same energy that puts you in pain now can help you to find your Self.