The Tao of Happiness and Pain

We were always intrigued by the claim of our spiritual community that happiness is our birthright. Deep down inside we probably believed it too. God wants us to be happy, right? And if we aren't, then that simply must mean that we made a mistake somewhere.

The problem is our hope of being one day enlightened. Enlightenment is the famous carrot in front of the donkey, you are always so close, yet always away from it. Walking a spiritual path means to be completely open to whatever life brings your way, and suffering is part of life just as much as ecstasy and serinity is. Without openness to pain you would be shutting a part of life out - and that can't be the Way.

We Tao traveler are part of life's duality like everyone else. But we are always completely open to everything life throws at us as we have learned the hard way that that is the requirement to stay connected to the Tao. We may not feel happy all the time, but we do have an underlying serenity since we have learned that no matter what, we always tend to land on our feet. The Tao's messenger are everywhere; in a moment of distress we just look up and reconnect.

Perhaps our message is not very popular. How much nicer would it be if we promised you happiness instead. Yet the problem is that you are not in charge of the feelings. There is stuff inside you that has to come to the surface and that can be distressful at times. Life just wraps a virtual reality show around you to get it out. 

We hope you understand that the goal of being spiritual, loving, serene, or enlightened is yet another ego agenda wrapped in holy clothes. These days it is cool to be spiritual and it feels good to be cool. But even that fact isn't really a problem. You decide how you want to express yourself and the Tao will show you the way. Spiritual or not, everyone is on an unique path home.

Your life is complete, and everything you really need you already have. If your goal is simply to be one with your Self, you are exactly on the right path. With that insight comes serenity and peace. Sure, the "I" will still feel abused at times and will get carried away on some other occasions, but always and always is the Way at your disposal. After this realization all chasing and pursuing stops, if at least for a moment. Happiness or pain, we welcome everything our way.

By Christian and Su Zhen