Nothing

Three years ago I was introduced to Tao. The foundation of Taoism is that it's not a concept that can be understood. You can't put it into words or explain it. It is a way that unfolds. Almost like, how someone can show you how to get to a destination but the experience of travelling to that destination is uniquely yours. The beauty of the Tao expresses itself through the natural and the mundane. It is open to present moment, fluid and does not have a predetermined way. Like a new river that takes birth in a glacier. The river cannot decide which way it wants to flow. It only flows. Embracing the effect of gravity, the pull of the ocean, offering no resistance to stones or other obstacles in it's path. It flows. And it finds a way. Flowing without active flowing. Doing by non doing. No analysis.

To some this may seem like an absurd way of being. How can you live like a river. For some this spells total dependency on the outside, as in the case of the river, dependance on gravity or the ocean to steer its path. But a truth we forget is that you may have the power in making choices but you don't have command over the way the universe unfolds through you. The universe is constantly trying to live through you and your choices. Therefore any unnatural choices you make have an effect on the unfolding. The purpose of universal existence is much greater than individual purpose. Individual purpose fits into it and not vice versa. Therefore when an unnatural choice or act is made/done there may or may not be an immediate effect. But if that does not fit with greater purpose, there will be an effect.

The way of the Tao is doing by non doing, that is merely letting things unfold as they should. This is always in line with universal existence. It's almost like asking, do you trust life itself or the universe itself to do nothing and let it work for you ?

This does not translate into idle behaviour. It actually translates into being utterly present and doing only that which is the need of the moment. If right now you are eating focus fully on eating. If you are reading, just read. Understand that in truth, only this moment exists and in one moment you can do only one thing. The Tao asks you to unlearn conditioned ideas and let the outside reflect your inner calm.

It reminds you that all storms are within. Only within.

(c) Sneha Singh 2012