An orderly state of balance goes against ego-centered living. In America the practice of individualism begins in pre-school with a methodical rewarding system. Young students are rewarded for obtaining the highest grade and it becomes the foundation of life. “I must be better than anyone else, first.”

Living a Tao-centered life goes against the paradigm which outlines life as “me against you,” (Although it preaches no change.) The “me against you” paradigm creates an illusion that encapsulates one from oneself. Our mind becomes engulfed with individualism and ultimately we separate from what appears different. We justify actions of condemnation, sanction and isolation of those who pose a threat to our thinking.

For example, we believe if one lives in poverty one must try harder, internal and external factors aside, poverty was chosen. Living in poverty goes against our notion everyone share similar talents and resources and that America’s fair-handed. If only one demonstrates a minuet measure of effort, the American dream will be achieved.

Try Harder

Faithfully we defend our God given right to ostracize “others,” and resent views which mention social responsibility; “I must be better than anyone else, first.”

However, we separate from the supernatural with absolute individualism. Conversely, we defend our artificial reasons of individualism but at the end of the day we fragment our true nature. Living a Tao centered-life does not ask anything. Removal of thoughts of separation and division must come from inside. Here lies a difficult dilemma. How to live Tao-centered and shed my value system of individualism?

Tao-centered living reminds us of ‘balance’ careful not to venture to far left or right. After years of individualism my new paradigm slowly grows, however more conscious now I often see my old paradigm consciously. So often spiritual bloggers, authors, faith healers etc, present spiritual renovation as a microwave paradigm, however, I have not found this to be true, changing remains a distanced uncharted journey.

Seminars, morning meditations, spiritual empowerment books are superficial, powerless or powerful they induce thoughts of change; but you do the “dirty” work. You easily slip between universes where you possess different value systems. Conversely, you find yourself asking forgiveness for unconscious condemnation or judgment of others.

Change is hard, but it can be done

The mind’s hard casing of habitual reflexes becomes difficult to infiltrate and alter. Change requires self-exploration first and foremost, discovering truths and falsities of multiple life roles where diverse values exist. To connect to our supernatural we dare venture into this abyss, the abyss we keep secret, hidden and preserved from prying eyes. Nevertheless, afraid to discover what we truly think of ourselves we created “others” to support our individualism subconsciously.

How honest are we about ourselves? How do we truly feel about ourselves? Are we as confident as we pretend? Why did man create individualism? To live honest about ones’ self is not easy; in fact it’s damn hard. It goes against subconscious individualism. A Sunday self-exploration muddled with nothingness.

The Invisible Dragon