I am in the University elevator with another student, just when the elevator door is about to close, a professor in his 70s well known for his work and teaching of the Eastern culture and philosophy steps into the elevator. As esteemed as he is, the student in the elevator asked the professor: what is the meaning of Taoism and what exactly is Tao（道）?As the professor explains what is Taoism and the meaning of Tao as the essence of the universe, before there was any creation, and out of no-thingness, it created everything, and the Tao is living in all its creation. As we are both astonished in awe while listening to his teaching, one question pops up in my mind and I proceed to ask the professor: I can feel the essence of Tao within me when I am Meditating or being in Yoga, but how do I express that feeling in words, write it in language, help others getting in touch of it? Fortunately, the elevator ride was coming to an end, the professor smiled at me and said: oh boy, you are trying to become Lao Tzu (Laozi), Confucius, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Ramakrishna, all the great beings who lived and taught this world the truth of the universe. I cannot explain it briefly in this short elevator ride, but you are more than welcome to come to my office during my business hour and we shall have a discussion about this topic. I gladly accepted his business card and went to his office some time later. Just before I got to his office, the answer came to my mind, and I went ahead and conveyed my thoughts with the professor: The essence of the universe is Tao, and Tao is realized and expressed through love, joy, and peace. We help the world by living and demonstrating the love and joy that we are. By constantly remembering who we are, and living in the Tao, we will be able to help others realize the essence of their being in this universe.
By the way, I forgot to add the phrase: “I had a dream” in front the mini-story that I just told, because it was a dream that came to me, a vivid dream and an inspiring epiphany. This was definitely a dream I remembered vividly, I woke up with joy and tears, remembering all the details of the whole dream. It served as a great reminder for me: who am I, and to what relationship do I have with the universe? I was recommended recently to listen to a podcast of Oprah Winfrey’s Super Soul Special with Panache Desai, in the podcast when Oprah asked Panache what is God? and Panache’s answer is so beautiful: the essence of God cannot be spoken, words and language cannot define the meaning of God, and it is meant to be lived and experienced through pure consciousness. This really resonated with me a lot, in a sense it is what Tao is, the essence of the universe which cannot be explained with words or language, yet one can experience and live in it, every one can be in it every day! It is a matter of realizing who we truly are, and we can sense the essence of the universe: pure love and joy, the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. — Book of Ecclesiastes
One last thing I would like to mention is that I recently went to a music / dance / artistic display event (party), and I happened to be so grateful to enjoy an intellectual conversation with a few intelligent beings in the group. One of the discussion we had was that all material possessions such as money, house, car will all be taken away at the instant of death, we are neither born with them, nor do we keep them after we are dead. Someone in the group mentioned, such is life, but also the experiences and knowledges that we have also come and go with the cycle of life and death. One can hardly argue that experiences, memories and knowledge is more valuable than material possessions, but it is with such understanding: the consciousness of who we are, will bring out the truth of our essence: the being of love and joy, peace and tranquility. Whether we are walking in the forest, standing on the beach, or living in a modern city full of lust and desire, amidst challenges and inner turmoil, the remembrance of who we are will bring the sense of calmness and peace to our mind, and we shall continue to express the essence of love and joy, through silence, words, actions and deeds! The Universe is experiencing itself through each individual soul and realize itself as the whole with each piece of the puzzle. Just like the drop of water, realizing itself as a part of the ocean, and merging into the ocean, into the no-thingness (whole). Just as the light shines onto objects, realizing itself as a part of the sun who tirelessly shines into the world, illuminating others without complaints or preferences.
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you find your inner peace within the journey of life. With love and respect, have a lovely day!
