| Following Tao means following a living path. It is a way of
life that sustains you, guides you, and leads you to innumerable rich
experiences. It is a spiritual path of joy and insight, freedom and
profundity.
Tao fundamentally assumes that an inner cultivation of character can
lead to an outer resonance. This is an important distinction. When
confronted with the mysteries of the universe and the adversities of life,
those who follow Tao think first to secure their own inner characters.
This is directly at variance with a great deal of modern thinking.
Self-cultivation is the basis for knowing Tao. Although Tao may be
glimpsed in the outer world, individuals must sharpen their sensibilities
in order to observe the workings of the great.
Tao is everywhere. It is literally the movement of all life. It is
endless and flows in all directions. Since Tao is the total ongoing
process of the universe, it makes sense to go along with it. If we swim a
river, we should make us of its current.
Tao flows for ordinary people and ascetics alike. After all, everyone
is face with the same struggles: the sun rises and sets on all of us, the
seasons change for everyone, everyone ages. No matter who we are, the
process of Tao affects us. The only question is whether we become aware of
it and live in accord with it.
There is nothing we do that is not part of Tao. All it takes to begin
living a life in harmony with Tao is a commitment to ongoing awareness.
After that, there is only the thrilling process of learning more and more
about Tao.
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