In the Tao, there is a beautiful paradox: life is not about forcing things to happen, but about flowing with what already is. The more we resist, the more we push against the natural rhythm of the universe, the more we create friction. But when we surrender to the flow—when we embrace the ebb and the flow of life, just as it is—everything falls into place without struggle.

The concept of Yin and Yang is a reminder of balance. There’s a time for action, and there’s a time for stillness. We don’t need to do everything at once, and we don’t need to control the outcome. By allowing both sides—light and dark, activity and rest, success and failure—to exist within us, we find harmony.

In the same way, the Tao teaches us to move through life with softness. Instead of charging ahead with force, we are encouraged to be like water—gentle, yet powerful. Water takes the shape of whatever it touches, flowing around obstacles, yet always finding its way. Life asks the same of us: adapt, trust, and flow without resistance.

Are you allowing life to guide you, or are you struggling against it? The beauty of Taoism is in its simplicity: don’t try to control the river, just let yourself be carried by it. Everything you need is already here, moving effortlessly through you and around you.

I saw my first Swainson’s hawk of the year yesterday and it brought back memories of last year. Last year around this time, a pair of hawks nested in a tall eucalyptus tree on my property and over the course of the next few months reared and raised a young ‘un. This coincided with my awakening to the Tao and I felt so connected to the hawk realizing that we were both manifestations of the Tao. It made me realize that it is not “man and nature,” it’s “man is nature.”That’s what staying to the center is all about.

Before she left, the mother hawk left a beautiful feather for me, right in the middle of the path I walk every day. I know it wasn’t intended, but I feel like it was meant to be, which it was because it happened. Needless to say, I treasure that feather as a talisman of that time.

Hi all! I’m wondering what this community thinks of the Jonathan Star translation. Does it lean more Stephen Michell or Gia-Fu Feng/English? I use the Gia-Fu Feng/English when I teach it, but am curious for a translation that lands between Mitchell and Gia-Fu Feng/English, if that makes sense.

https://www.taoistfederation.org.sg/en/taoist-beliefs/

https://www.taoistfederation.org.sg/en/taoist-practice/

I'm interested in Taoism as a way to live but I'm at least just as interested in it as a religion, i. e., I want to know how to establish a home altar and to do rituals like prayer and offering by myself, since I live several miles away from both the two Taoist organizations whose existence I'm aware of in the country where I live.

Said organizations, however, don't look very much interested in teaching Taoism as religion; they seem to be more into offering courses about meditation, Qi Gong, etc.. It's not clear whether even people formally initiated by the aforementioned organizations have domestic altars themselves; just their master's domestic altar is shown on one of their websites; he was Chinese and, according to their websites, recognized by Chinese Taoist Association as a priest.

Is anyone here in a similar situation? Is there any way for one to be taught how to build a domestic altar and do rituals at home in that situation?

https://open.substack.com/pub/billhulet/p/religion-is-not-psycho-therapy-a7b?r=4ot1q2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

https://preview.redd.it/1ifhvu8lnege1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1f763d71c2e8b756d159ba3c7ab27a75e77563a0

  I have a friend who told me a story about themself. He has always been a weird fellow. Who told me he was possied by Yin/Yang. Seeing in his imagition secraios of killing unfaithful Men for crimes agaist him. Aswell Killing himself for the way he felt about himself As he was going along he just went silent to the real world to show No one his pain. He morally knew killing would not get help anyone but cause pain. Alot of the converstation was grim terrying and flying at the speed of light. 

     To fast to fill a book. His tone changed for wheb he told me this tone was unhappy for Planes of a Super Hero. He found no compassion in saying he was a super hero. He killed billions of people for for failing saving them from nukes. So he had to go back time to save himself. He told me this in very kind tone I really want to craft peace on earth by explaining why we should not fall for hate ignorance over Love and Kindness. So we shouldnt spread faleness, just reinforce what truth we find inside our kindhood childhood adulthood seniorhood spirit and soul to find our real selves.  
  
    We should explore our faults know why we failed to bring about more healing to exceed again. When he told me the ending he said its a sad to destory the 2 to bring on something i cant say or I might have to face a reality shiftimg way. He loves his privacy so much he barely goes out into society but yearns to explore the world and document its sturces and place them inside his imagation. Well, have a lovely day.

Just as discussed in this other article about enlightenment ,

Enlightenment is the ultimate state one can achieve according to Taoism, which is to be one with Tao, the nature (nature is Tao's manifestation in our universe), also known as the Unity of Heaven and Humanity by the Taoist term.

And

the paths to the pursuit of enlightenment differ from group to group, culture to culture, and individual to individual

In this article, we are going to explore the each stage before achieving the ultimate state of enlightenment.

Flow state, mindfulness, and consciousness control are tools for becoming one with our universe

The path to enlightenment resides in every aspect of our life. Contrary to what is most believed by the masses, one can walk the path to enlightenment by any activity of her choosing. And in most cases, reaching a state of total awareness, or mindfulness is never a mystery that is far from the reach of those who do not 'devote' themselves into a school of religious or spiritual practice.

I am a musician. I can say that most of the musicians who reach a professional level of mastery at their selected instrument have reached a high level of mindfulness by simply honing their craft without trying to get into mindfulness.

I started playing guitar at 17 in high school and decided that I wanted to become a professional player at 21 when I was in college studying chemical engineering. Starting at such an old age, I decided that I must practice guitar 6 hours a day to play catch-up, which basically took every second of my waking hours outside of studying, eating, showering, and laundry. The 6-hour daily routine was painful at first. The first couple of hours were fine; I was able to focus and perform the exercises, but then my mind devolved into this state of wandering where random thoughts that don't really matter just pop out of nowhere, such as 'What do others think of me suddenly wanting to pursue music as a career? Will they laugh at me?', 'What if I fail? Will I become a laughingstock for others?', or more trivial matters such as 'What should I eat for lunch today?' or 'Did I say something inappropriate the other day during class?' Needless to say, the remaining hours of the practice became an ordeal for me. As painful as it was, I managed to maintain the 6-hour practice routine for a few more weeks out of passion for music. After those very tormenting weeks, something amazing happened to me.

At first, I found it much easier for me to get into this state of focus, what I noticed first is that I can learn the stuff much faster now. What normally took me a few days to learn, give it a scale, a chord, or a lick, I could get them done in a day or two's worth of practices. Certainly, this might be contributed to my level of dexterity getting better, but it almost felt real for me that, I became smarter by being more focused. No only that I became more focused, I was also able to sustain it longer. What was 30 minutes of intense focus got extended into 1 hours, 3 hours, and eventually the entire practice session. It was not for another months before I managed to sustain it through the entire session of course, but once this thing started rolling, it became easier and easier for me. Not only I was able to sustain the 6-hour practice daily routine, that routine was furthered into 10 hour practice daily routine after I graduated from college and devoted full time into the music career.

The amazing experience did not stop at getting better at guitar playing itself, I found myself to be able to concentrate my mind into a single point, in this case, the sound. And when I was in that mode, things slows down in front of me, I can sense the tiniest details of the sound, not just the sound from my own guitar playing, but the surrounding sound in the environment as well. I also felt a warm flow of energy connecting my brain, my fingers, and my ears, cycling non-stop. It was very soothing experience, to me, 6 hours of practice was no longer a chore, it became a getaway for me, if not paradise.

Not until a couple years later after reading quite some philosophy books including eastern schools such as Taoism itself and Zen Buddhism, and western schools such as Arthur Schopenhauer did I understand what was happening to me. Simply put, it was the first stage of achievement towards enlightenment called flow state, or 'in the zone'.

What is flow state?

When a mind is concentrated at a high level, it forgets its own existence and becomes one with the object.  This is often referred to as flow state, or 'in the zone', a term used to describe a state of deep focus and effortless performance where everything seems to click. It's like you're so immersed in what you're doing that you lose track of time, self-consciousness fades away, and every action flows naturally without much effort. In this state, every action feels effortless, and everything seems to align perfectly. It’s a magical blend of intense focus, intrinsic motivation, and a sense of control over the task at hand.

Characteristics of the Flow State

1. Complete Concentration In flow, your mind is wholly focused on the activity. Everything outside the task fades into the background, your thoughts, worries, and even the passage of time. For example, an artist painting might not realize they’ve been working for hours because they’re so absorbed in their work.
2. Merging of Action and Awareness You feel like there’s no separation between you and what you’re doing. A musician might become one with their instrument, or a runner might feel their body and the path beneath them moving in perfect harmony.
3. Loss of Self-Consciousness In flow, there’s no room for self-doubt or overthinking. You’re not worried about how you look or what others might think. You’re simply being in the moment.
4. Distorted Sense of Time Time either slows down at a moment or speeds up over a duration. Things around you might feel like they are in slow motion, and you might spend hours on a task but feel like only minutes have passed.
5. Effortlessness and Ease While the task itself might be demanding, it feels effortless in flow. Every movement and decision seems to arise naturally, without forcing anything.
6. Intrinsic Reward The activity itself becomes its own reward. You’re not driven by external validation or outcomes; instead, the joy of doing the task fuels your motivation.

Simply put, flow state happens when you're deeply focused on a challenging task, usually one that requires skill. It's rewarding on its own because not only it helps you master that activity but also shields you from negative feelings like self-doubt, anxiety, and overthinking. It’s a way to both improve and find peace at the same time.

Interestingly, the concept of flow aligns closely with Taoist philosophy, particularly the practice of Wu Wei (无为), or "effortless action." Both emphasize aligning with the natural flow of life and achieving harmony by letting go of resistance and overthinking. Just as Taoism encourages living in harmony with the Tao, flow involves syncing your mind and body with the task, allowing everything to unfold naturally. So in Taoism, flow state is part of the Wu Wei practice where enlightenment is set as the ultimate goal.

Flow state is an incredible experience, but it has its limits, that it can only be triggered while performing a skill-intensive task. But what if someone could enter this state of deep focus and presence at will, like flipping a switch, without needing to engage in those activities? This is where the journey transitions to the second stage of achievement towards enlightenment: mindfulness.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the ability to enter a flow state-like mode without needing to engage in a skill-demanding task. Unlike flow state, which requires intense focus on an activity to reach that state of deep immersion, mindfulness allows you to tap into a similar sense of presence and peace at any time, no matter what you’re doing.

In mindfulness, you don’t rely on external tasks to quiet your mind or fully engage your awareness. Instead, much like the intense focus of the flow state, you simply observe the present moment with full attention; whether it’s the rhythm of your breath, the sensations in your body, or the sounds around you. It’s as if you’re tapping into the clarity and calm of the flow state, but without needing a specific trigger, your mind itself becomes the focus.

This makes mindfulness incredibly versatile and powerful. It can be practiced during everyday activities, like walking, eating, or even waiting in line. Over time, it becomes a tool to find balance and focus even in the most chaotic or mundane situations, offering a sustainable way to stay centered without the need for external conditions to be perfect.

It was only after years of intensive guitar practice and heavy reading that I one day realized I could do this. The euphoria I felt was incredible, it feels like unlocking a hidden superpower. From that moment on, I have never experienced a single night of difficulty falling asleep, no matter how bad the situation is, be it career struggles, financial issues, or personal hardships.

Whenever I lie down, I naturally enter this state of mindfulness, and all my thoughts simply drift away. It feels like I become a feather floating in mid-air, gently swaying with the motion of a soft breeze, moving left and right in a soothing, lullaby-like rhythm. This calming sensation has allowed me to fall asleep within five minutes every single time. Unless I have had one too many cups of coffee, of course.

Another incredible benefit of being able to enter mindfulness is that I never feel bored anymore, even when working on mundane tasks like data entry during the early days of starting my first business. By simply shifting my focus to the present moment, the sound of the keyboard clicking, the rhythm of my fingers typing, or even the small details on the screen, I find myself fully engaged, almost as if the boring task itself transforms into something fun. Mindfulness turns even the most tedious chores into opportunities for calm and presence, making boredom a thing of the past.

The third benefit of this 'superpower' is the ability to channel negative thoughts into positive ones. When negativity creeps in, whether it's anger, self-doubt, anxiety, frustration or depression, mindfulness provides a way to pause and redirect those thoughts. Instead of fighting them, I observe them without judgment by entering mindfulness, almost like watching clouds pass in the sky. This simple act creates space between me and the negativity, allowing me to 'quarantine' it. By doing so, a setback becomes a lesson, a failure turns into growth, and uncertainty becomes a chance for curiosity.

But of course, the ability to channel these negative thoughts is its own craft, requiring years of practice and patience to master. Much like using an instrument to create beautiful music, mindfulness is merely a tool to orchestrate this great symphony of peace of mind. It takes time to learn how to harmonize conflicting thoughts and emotions, to turn noise into melody. Mindfulness provides the foundation, but it’s through intentional practice and reflection that one can truly conduct this inner symphony, transforming life's chaos into a steady rhythm of balance and clarity.

The final benefit of this state of mindfulness is that your senses become much sharper. Colors appear more vivid, sounds feel richer, and even the texture of simple things, like the fabric of your clothes or the coolness of a breeze, becomes more noticeable. Simply put, it’s a higher level of awareness. When you reach this state, you realize how limited your senses used to be, almost like an animal confined to a very narrow range of perception. The world now feels bigger, richer, and more vibrant, and you can fully immerse yourself in the present moment like never before. You start to experience the world with a heightened awareness, as if a fog has been lifted. This heightened perception allows you to fully engage with the present moment, appreciating life’s subtle details that often go unnoticed. It’s like switching from a blurry, dim lens to crystal-clear, high-definition vision, making even the simplest experiences feel meaningful.

Meditation is the most common practice to learn mindfulness because it provides a structured way to train your mind to focus on the present moment. By setting aside time for meditation, you create a dedicated space to observe your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment. This practice develops the mental clarity and awareness that are at the heart of mindfulness. Meditation isn’t the only way to practice mindfulness, but it’s one of the most effective. Over time, the skills developed in meditation naturally expand into other areas of your life, allowing you to experience mindfulness in everything you do.

My path to mindfulness was accidental. I did not know what mindfulness meant until I had reached it by comparing the things I could do to what it enables. So, it might offer some insightful knowledge to those still on the journey to achieving it. One way to begin is by reaching the flow state through practicing a challenging skill first, to get a taste of how mindfulness feels, and then working from there to apply the same level of focus to every aspect of daily life, no matter how trivial. Another thing I did right was that I read a lot history and philosophy classics, with the Tao Te Ching being one of them. This, I believe, helped me significantly, although I understand that it’s not for everyone. In short, there is no fixed route to mindfulness. Everyone walks a different path, so don’t try to find the “best way” or a “shortcut.” Instead, work with whatever resonates with you.

Now the final stage before achieving enlightenment, it is something I vaguely sense but am not 100% sure of its existence, and I might not be able to get there even if it is real. Currently mostly based on my speculation, It is the full ability to control consciousness at will.

Our conscious and subconscious mind

Our mind is made of consciousness and subconsciousness. According to most psychological models, the conscious mind represents only a small portion of our overall awareness, while the subconscious mind encompasses a much larger domain. The subconscious holds memories, beliefs, and patterns that are not actively in focus yet significantly influence our behavior. In essence, the conscious mind is like the visible tip of an iceberg, while the subconscious forms the vast majority hidden below the surface.

Once we reach a level where we can enter mindfulness at will, it becomes possible to explore the next step: attempting to control our consciousness. While the subconscious mind may seem uncontrollable, it can still be influenced through conscious effort. The subconscious can be understood as an accumulation of thoughts, ideas, beliefs, experiences, and memories formed over the years. By adjusting our perspective, which is an inherent function of consciousness, we can begin to "make sense" of this vast reservoir and indirectly shape its influence on our behavior and perceptions.

So what does it mean to control the consciousness?

The first level of control over consciousness is the ability to pause and unpause it at will. In Taoism, Zuowang (坐忘), or 'sitting and forgetting', is an essential spiritual practice that embodies this concept. Zuowang represents a level beyond the practice of mindfulness, where the practitioner seeks to stop the consciousness entirely instead of entering a flow state, a state of channeling all consciousness into a singular point of focus.

So, what is it like to stop your consciousness? I've only been able to achieve this for less than a couple of years. From my experience, you can make your mind 'blank' at will. When the mind goes blank, you shift into the role of a pure observer, fully present to both the internal and external worlds. Although not exactly the same, this state aligns with the 19th-century German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer's theory of the 'will-less' state, where one transcends desires and personal drives, entering a realm of pure perception and detached awareness.

There are obvious benefits to the ability to stop consciousness.

The first benefit is that you gain almost full control over your temper, mood, and thoughts. When negativity creeps in, you don’t need to channel these feelings elsewhere by redirecting your focus to a task or a thought, whether that’s achieving a flow state or practicing mindfulness. You simply put a stop to consciousness itself, allowing those negative feelings to dissipate. Individuals who attain this level of mastery over their consciousness will notice their temper becomes moderated and they develop immunity to provocation. They will act spontaneously in any situation, no longer hindered by feelings of nervousness, intimidation, or awkwardness, which often stem from self-consciousness.

Moreover, these individuals do not feel the need to rise above others, to triumph over them, or to express themselves for validation. Such desires typically arise from a consciousness driven by bodily urges, leading to a state of perpetual uneasiness, anxiety, and frustration. By relinquishing these needs, they create a sense of inner calm that allows for deeper self-awareness and a more harmonious existence.

This ability fosters an environment in which external pressures and societal expectations lose their grip. Those who can stop consciousness often find themselves free from the burden of competing with others, enabling them to pursue their passions and interests for their own sake rather than for external approval. This shift in perspective cultivates a kind of contentment that is neither dependent on success nor disturbed by failure.

As a result, they become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges. Without the constant fluctuations brought on by mood and desire, they can navigate adversities with a peace of mind. This newfound resilience allows them to engage with their surroundings fully, appreciating experiences as they come rather than filtering them through a lens of comparison or striving.

Another good thing about being able to pause the consciousness is to fill the mind with pure happiness. By stopping the consciousness, the body and mind become one, and thus in perfect harmony with one another, once this state is established, there are waves of joy spurt out from within the chest. This state is much like an infant, whose consciousness is still undeveloped due to the absence of accumulated building blocks such as memory and experience. Like an infant, one returns to a state of pure being, untainted by mental clutter, judgments, or external pressures, experiencing life in its most natural and unfiltered form.

It is the pure form of happiness that requires no reason, no longer one needs the stimulation of earthly achievements such as money, power, and fame to be content. Especially when the latter often bring more suffering than happiness. Speaking of which, let's reach a little further on the topic since we are already here. Does this mean we should not seek earthly success? The answer is that it doesn't matter, but we do need money for our overall well-being, so it is not a bad idea to seek money. As for the other two, it depends on the lifestyle you choose, if your path is politics, yes, then seek power; if you are an actor, your main practice is through acting, then yes, seek fame. What we seek is not important, the important thing is that we walk the path not sacrificing the true happiness. The way to pursue money, power, and fame without compromising this core value is what Wu Wei practice all about, you can read more about it in this other article.

The next level of controlling the consciousness is reconstruct the consciousness at will.

Since I have yet to achieve this level, much of what I share below is based on speculation. Following the ability to pause consciousness, the next natural step would likely involve the capacity to reconstruct it at will.

What does it mean to reconstruct consciousness?

First of all, consciousness relies on the continuous stream of information provided by the senses to exist. The normal process of its formation is as follows: sensory inputs from the external world are collected, processed, and integrated into a coherent experience. These inputs are then interpreted by the mind, giving rise to thoughts, emotions, and an awareness of the present moment, collectively known as consciousness.

Reconstructing consciousness, on the other hand, represents the opposite process. It is an advanced ability to control the mind so powerfully that it can actively influence and "backfeed" the senses, shaping the sensory experience according to the consciousness it chooses to reconstruct. In this state, the practitioner reverses the flow of influence, using the mind to redefine perception, creating a subjective reality shaped by intentional thought rather than raw sensory data.

Does this sound too sci-fi? It’s not. In fact, there’s a very common and age-old method of reconstructing consciousness called art. Art, in all its forms, is a deliberate act of shaping perception, allowing the artist to implant their consciousness into the mind of their audience, effectively reconstructing it. This is why, when we immerse ourselves in a masterpiece, be it a symphony, a novel, a painting, or even a film, we momentarily forget our own existence. We are transported to a different time and space, experiencing the world as the creator once did.

Any skilled artist possesses the ability to transform their consciousness into sensory media, whether through sound, visuals, or words. However, it is the 'quality' of the consciousness they project that determines whether their work becomes popular, resonates deeply with others, or attains the status of a classic. Therefore, an artist passively waits for 'inspiration' to strike before transforming their consciousness into a medium of the senses, and their audience relies on this medium to passively reconstruct a very specific sample of consciousness. This is how we know that artistic ability is not the same concept as the reconstruction of consciousness we are discussing here, but merely a specific example of it. It also explains why being a great artist alone is not enough to reconstruct consciousness at will.

What is it like to be able to reconstruct consciousness?

The ability to reconstruct consciousness is so profound that the possessor of this gift can perceive the world through the eyes of others, both literally and metaphorically. They gain the capacity to see what others see, feel what others feel, and experience reality from perspectives entirely different from their own. Remarkably, this "others" is not confined to human beings. Instead, it transcends the human experience, extending its reach to all entities in existence. From the smallest atom vibrating with its inherent energy to the vast, incomprehensible expanse of the universe, everything carries its own form of "consciousness," a unique fingerprint shaped by its state, function, and existence within the cosmos.

When one attains such an ability, their understanding of reality shifts from the limited confines of individuality to the limitless interconnectedness of all things. They are no longer bound by their personal senses or self-centered awareness. Instead, they can tap into the universal flow of information, aligning themselves with the "consciousness" of any being, object, or system they desire. Just like Zhuangzi's dream of becoming a butterfly, the boundaries between self and other begin to blur. In his dream, Zhuangzi did not know whether he was Zhuangzi dreaming of being a butterfly or a butterfly dreaming of being Zhuangzi. This profound parable speaks to a truth about the nature of consciousness, its fluid, shifting, and interconnected form.

This ability dissolves barriers, leaving the practitioner with an intimate understanding of the fabric of existence, as if they were simultaneously the observer and the observed, the creator and the creation. In this state, the boundaries between "self" and "other" evaporate. A rock, seemingly inanimate, reveals its ancient story through its molecular vibrations. A tree shares its silent dialogue with the wind and the whispers of the earth beneath its roots. A distant star, light-years away, projects its own consciousness through its pulsating energy, carrying tales of its birth, life, and eventual death. Even the universe itself, vast and eternal, breathes with a consciousness so immense it defies comprehension, yet one who reconstructs consciousness can feel its pulse, like a faint echo reverberating through eternity.

The implications of such an ability are staggering. Imagine understanding the struggles of another person intimately, not just through empathy or observation, but by actually becoming them in a sense, albeit temporarily. Grasping their fears, their joy, their pain, not as an outsider but as if they were your own. It shifts the notion of communication from mere words to a profound unity of understanding, a complete dissolution of misunderstanding. Beyond the human plane, it allows one to sync with the rhythm of nature, to understand and harmonize with ecosystems, and perhaps even tap into the wisdom of the universe, Tao, itself.

Ultimately, to reconstruct consciousness is to engage in a sacred dance with existence. It is a journey that deepens one's relationship with the universe, revealing the truth that everything is connected, everything is alive in its own way, and everything has a story to tell, and through this ability, one can listen, understand, and even join that story, becoming a co-creator in the infinite tapestry of being.

Beyond the ultimate control of consciousness

The flow state, mindfulness, and consciousness control are like Matryoshka dolls, where each subsequent layer contains the previous one. This means that the path to enlightenment is not linear. You reach the next level without leaving the previous one, which can be analogized to a pyramid structure, in which the previous level serves as the stepping stone, or foundation, for the next level.

They serve as a toolkit for us to forge our path to enlightenment, the ultimate state of becoming one with Tao's manifestation in our universe — nature. Once we have gathered all three tools, flow state, mindfulness, and consciousness control, we can apply them in our daily lives to uncover the profound meaning of the Tao.

To do this, we begin by gathering building blocks: insights gleaned from reading, emotions stirred by appreciating art, music, and literature, reasoning developed through thinking, and feelings evoked by memories accessed during flow states. Each of these components offers valuable perspectives and deepens our understanding of existence.

Using mindfulness, we then organize these building blocks, cultivating an awareness that allows us to see how these elements interconnect. Mindfulness encourages us to be present with our experiences, providing clarity and enhancing our ability to reflect on what we've gathered.

Finally, we employ consciousness control to reconstruct our understanding of the universe's consciousness. This transformative process enables us to weave together the insights and emotions we’ve collected, allowing us to perceive the richness of life through the lens of the Tao. By aligning ourselves with this universal consciousness, we not only gain deeper insights into our own existence but also foster a sense of unity with all that is.

In this way, our toolkit becomes a mean of exploration and connection, guiding us toward a more profound comprehension of Tao, the nature and our place within its vast manifestation. Only then can we say that we are enlightened.

Hi there,

Kind of an odd situation but I can't recall if this was from a dream or if I read this in the (Stephen Mitchell) Tao Te Ching translation. The passage was something like, "if it's really yours you can throw it away, and it will come back". Ring any bells?

Thanks!

Regardless of what i do, feel or think i always end up in the mind, daydreaming.

I need genuine advice.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huanjing_bunao

I'm genuinely fascinated by this. How commonly were these techniques practiced? Where can I learn more?

Is it necessary a priest or teacher for one to be allowed to start a domestic practice? Can one learn from a book how to perform basic offerings and/or prayers and do it by oneself?

Towards,people,animals,politics etc. A distraction away from our own suffering?

Why does it happen? Is it part of the Tao?

Also I’m probably the most lonely person in the world and I’m super depressed I try and try to make it out of my loneliness with different ideas and surrounding myself with different peoples and jobs and trying to do sports and something happens where I can’t work I get injured I end up alone at my parents house one point I had my own appartment and I had to move back in due to a rat problem . Now I can’t afford anywhere else to live . My car broke down and I’m back at square one . I am sober now I don’t even touch coffe due to my past I used to stay as a space caddet or super drunk . I’m obese now … I feel as if I’ve been cursed . There’s no community around where I live . I get suicidal . Wasting my jing and over eating and playing video games is all that makes me numb the pain for 15 min a session …. I don’t know why I’m making this point I really doubt I can be helped . I’m not even sad anymore I’m just super numb and I guess I wanted to tell someone . I have no friends or girl . I have no alone time I live crammed with my family we’ve always been poor . The Tao the Ching says we need economical freedom and this inflation or whatever is going on is making that part impossible and I can’t have a life