TAO UNPLUGGED

What happens if you unplug TAO ?

Don't touch that plug ! Only kidding ! You are plugged into the great flow of Tao whether you like it or not, and there isn't much you can do about it. Most just ignore it, or refute its existence. Well, it is only 'symbolic'.

The advice of the TAO I CHING can be similarly dismissed, unless you have a practical or spiritual problem to sort out. The reason for the advice is that, unless you were aware of it, there are a few general problems or conflicts that you could avoid at the start, to make your life a little easier.

DON'T REACT. Reaction causes, and fuels, conflict. Look at the facts first, then decide what YOU want to do. This should be part of your own plans, without the aid or discouragement of others.

DON'T FIGHT. The world appears to be full of 'other things' that need combating. If you fight you will stimulate an opponent (and reaction, or retaliation). Most of the time these other 'forces', people, or situations, will have nothing directly to do with you, but do exist to subvert and redirect your energy.

All of this suggests that an agreement or compromise can be reached, or an understanding achieved, either within yourself, or with others. But its not that straight forward, and the energy in the world won't let you get away with it that easily. TAO is the great flow of energy running through the universe, and it has two 'directions', 'forms', or 'aspects'. [Defining TAO is not an activity to be encouraged, for it takes us into explanation and description, rather than 'the thing' itself.]

An understanding of these flows of energy can be found in the book "Tao I Ching The Mystic Gateway". Basically, remember that (so-called) 'negative energy' has a stronger effect when expressed in the world in competition with 'positive' energy. Although, it is not necessarily 'stronger'. A bad word can ruin your day, or week. A good word can change your life. To 'combat' these 'darker forces', don't fight them, and certainly don't react, for this will only get you deeper into the situation.

So, if you shouldn't react or fight, what can you do ?

Simply do what you do, and if you are constrained in some way, do the smallest you can. It is that 'smallest thing' that grows and doubles in strength. If you need help, look to The Five Spiritual Additions (which require you to add them), Optimism, Enthusiasm, Encouragement, Generosity, and Humour. You can apply one or more of them at any time, and even just act them out if you are not 'naturally' drawn to one of them { and it may well be 'the job of the world' to keep you away from these qualities of change}. It is the addition of these that causes change in the world.

All the rest, the wars, the conflict, and the control, will only repeat or prolong the status quo.

The TAO I CHING suggests (read the introductory chapters) another course of action, which can be applied in all circumstances. This is a way, or "The Way", 'the way of actionless action', action without effort, and lots of other mystifying terms, used to express a particular philosophy of action. You could call it "letting go", or "acceptance", but this might lead you to think that you need to be more at ease or spiritually advanced than you are. Elsewhere I've tried to find a suitable translation, but, to cut through all the terms and definitions, you only need one little affirmation or saying, which, as you say it, you can put into practice . . . .

BE HERE NOW

You say this to yourself at any point, and at any time you get caught-up in too much concern and worry, and, most splendid of all, at any moment during your day when you are not doing anything in particular. This is simply looking and listening where you are now. This is an encapsulated version of the 2 minute exercise for seeing the energy of TAO for yourself, on my website http://www.taoiching.com/ . If you get this right you live in the present with inner peace, or you can remain plugged-in to the energy you are already using. That other energy that you are presently using will promise you everything, and a full life, or a life full of continual conflict. The alternative is quiet, still, and magical, and also very much in the world around you everyday, at every moment.

"Look

You won't see it.

Listen

You won't hear it.

Move one inch

And you miss it.

You looking, listening, moving

All the time

Is all it takes"