Verse 33

On May 31st, I decided to “dedicate the month of June to a focused exploration of being Ai-Creo, the artist.” This conviction was brought on by a panic attack I had few days earlier and while in that state of mind, it was as if my higher self was asking me a single question: what are you rooted in? I didn’t know the answer to the question at the moment and that led me to panic even more. 

In this 33rd verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-tzu invites the reader to focus on self-mastery saying, “One who understands others has knowledge; one who understands himself has wisdom.” I read that this morning and it spoke directly to me, as that is essentially what I had been tasked with, exactly a month ago by my higher self. Over the past 29 days, I’ve consciously turned my gaze inward and to be honest I’ve been surprised at some of my findings. One of them being that I give a lot of my power away by being reactionary to the thoughts and behaviors of others. Another being that I tend to engage in this activity known as catastrophizing! The common denominator in these two scenarios is that I sometimes engage my mind in ways that do not serve me. When and where did I even begin to do this? 

I spent many mornings writing in my journal to express thoughts I didn’t even know I had and as a result I gained a clearer perspective and released some things I had been carrying with me unconsciously. Self-mastery requires strength, patience and humility & it’s ultimately a lifelong job because you are always both the observer and the observed. We spend a lot of time mastering the world and all things external without really ever mastering our internal reality. We become like strangers unto ourselves and in moments of chaos, we realize we haven’t built our foundations on solid ground.

Who are you? What are you rooted in?

Ai-Creo

Verse 32

I’ve come back to the Tao, as I often do in times of crisis, ebbing and flowing back to its truth. Lao-tzu says in this verse, “Just as all water flows back to the ocean, all creation flows back to become the Tao.” With everything changing so rapidly all around us, sometimes it feels as though we’re moving far away from our Source; we tend to feel uprooted and displaced even within ourselves. I think this feeling of disconnection is the root of all ails within the individual and society as a whole.

I believe western culture proliferates this feeling of disconnect, as it focuses heavily on the individuation of the human being. Lao-tzu states, “once the whole is divided, the parts need names.” That part.  Although our hearts truly wish for us to come together, our conditioned logic of separation, sets limits and boundaries that end up overpowering the heart’s desire of unity and harmony. 

After reading this verse today, I’m reminded to take a pause and pay attention to the flow of my life. I think last year (2020) really forced us to slow down, largely against our will or control. Life was scary, confusing and unpredictable to say the least. As our lives begin to return to “normal”, I’m willingly taking a chapter from last year’s book and focusing on slowing down and being more in the flow. I’m gathering all of what I’ve learned over the past 14 months and applying it to see how much I can trust in the cosmic flow of things. I often get impatient about the pace my life is going, without truly taking account or acknowledging my many successes, small/large and allowing myself to feel/express gratitude for them. 

I invite you reading this, to activate your enthusiastic inner receptivity for all that your higher self and the Universe have in store 4 you. I encourage you to loosen the grip you have on your ego-driven reality and ride this glorious wave that is your existence!

Ai-Creo

Verse 31

I’m returning to this project I started awhile ago, where I aimed to explore each verse of Lao Tzu’s Tao te Ching and ponder on what they mean to me.

In the 31st verse, Lao Tzu warns against the use of weapons and if only for a moment, makes you imagine a world without the excessive use of weapons as tools of violence. I just watched the video of Jacob Blake describing the way his life changed in an instant, as a result of a White police officer shooting him seven times in his back at close range in Kenosha, Wisconsin. From his hospital bed he talks about managing pain and the loss of mobility that is now his current reality. This is just one of a multitude of cases that’s happened in this country and continues to happen across the world. Jacob Blake’s story is so powerful because he, unlike so many of our brothers and sisters that have been victims of police brutality, survived the attack on his life. Although we mourn his paralysis and the trauma of his 3 children watching this happen to their father, it’s comforting to know that he still has his life and his voice.

What will the future look like if society currently acts as if there is no regard for the sanctity of life? Wayne Dyer once said, “We measure the quality of our civilization by the sophistication of our weapons” and he’s not wrong. The GOP Covid-19 bill included an estimated $6 Biillion in defense spending while its citizens continue to face some of the worst realities they’ve ever seen in their lifetime. 

The proliferation of the use of weapons, specifically of guns in this country, is a giant step away from our highest nature as evolved human beings. The names of those among us that have lost their lives in the last decade alone due to police brutality, hate crimes, terrorist attacks from within and without, are too many to even fathom. How will our civilization have a chance of posterity when the root word, civil, is becoming a thing of the past? We’ve devolved back to a time when killing was a form of entertainment. 

The task of reinstating civility is in each of our hands. I’m afraid there is no leader coming to save and lead us to the promised land.

~ I recently read this poem by St. Thomas Aquinas and I think it’s exactly what we need to hear today:

How is it they live for eons in such harmony - the billions of stars

when most men can barely go a minute

without declaring war in their mind against someone they know.

There are wars where no one marches with a flag,

though that does not keep casualties from mounting.

Our hearts irrigate this earth.

We are fields before each other.

How can we live in harmony?

First we need to know

we are all madly in love

with the same

God.

Ai-Creo

Verse 30

I happen to be reading this at a time when the country seems on the brink of war. America has always thrived on using brute force with its enemies and according to Laotzu, “violence, even when well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.” We’ve become so accustomed to violence, whether on the news, or the media we consume, it’s all around us. I think it’s important to ask of ourselves, what kind of reality we choose to experience - one of peace and harmony, or one of force and turmoil? Beyond physical violence, we’ve also become desensitized to the weapons of hatred and intolerance toward one another. Where do we go from here? 

We cannot wait for our world leaders to effect change, it’s ultimately up to us to continue to be the change we wish to see in the world. 

Verse 29

The message in this verse of the Tao te Ching gives me hope, yet it is one that I struggle with implementing. The message being that there is a time for everything and a natural law in which the universe operates. I grew up reading a similar message as a kid in the book of Ecclesiastes (Chapter 3:1-8). It sounds nice, but it’s a bit challenging to remember when things are rough, that this is happening for a reason and that this too shall pass.

Lao Tzu says, “Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to grasp, we lose.” I think we all are a bit of control freaks. The ego leads us to think that we are in control and that may be part of the reason for all the anxiety and depression, especially in a time when things are moving so fast and everything seems completely out of control. What are you in control of? How does the concept of agency, exerting will over one’s life, differ from control?

I think as I get older I’m beginning to relinquish some control, and accepting that perhaps it’s better for me to live my life and flow in harmony with natural law. According to Einstein, “[The scientist’s] religious feeling takes the form of a rapturous amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection. This feeling is the guiding principle of his life and work.”

This quote transcends the concept of left-brain vs. right-brain thinking. Leave thinking out of the way, as the human mind is somehow incapable of grasping this phenomenon. The truth lies in feeling. Are you in touch with your feelings? I know personally I’ve relied heavily on my intellect to navigate my world thus far and there’s a gnawing feeling that I’ve lived a mediocre life compared to my potential. But mediocre according to who? My ego I suppose, which feels I could be in more control, I could achieve more if I just did x, y and z. All of this is an illusion. We still don’t have a definitive answer for why we are here and how we came to be, and yet the universe is in harmony with itself, the Tao at work.

Every year on my birthday, I choose a word or 2 that will be my centering thought for the upcoming year. This year I chose clarity and flow. To remove the blinders and see clearly that I am in constant flow. That all of life is a movement toward perfection. Knowing that in moments of fatigue, I’m still flowing because I know what it is to be in action. Just as how the seasons change, I’m beginning to gain clarity on the importance of that transition - flow. Wayne Dyer says, “It’s all unfolding according to the same natural law that causes the seasons to follow one another … the birds to migrate and return without benefit of a human-made guidance system.” I think when we see our lives in this way, we see how it all unfolds organically.

One of the most prevalent fears people have is that of losing control, yet that is exactly what Lao Tzu proposes in this verse if we’re to ever experience divine harmony. It takes courage to make the conscious effort of surrendering to a higher power - to let go and let God. I believe that may be the only option we have left, and to think it’s been there all along!

Ai-Creo

Verse 28

From reading this verse, the main lesson I find here is that of balance. Lao-tzu states, “Know the strength of man, but keep a woman’s care…Know the white, yet keep to the black.” He suggests that we look around us and aim to be like the pattern of the world. No man or thing is just one-dimensional. In order to live virtuously and gracefully, I think one has to be able to find a balance in what seems like a chaotic and unjust world. The issues we’ve had for so long and still continue to have today, is a result of the false way of thinking that we’ve been conditioned to adopt. Racism, sexism, and whatever negative -ism we subscribe to, was born and continues to thrive due to unwholesome/negative thinking. 

I sometimes think maybe I should be offended more, at all the nonsense happening in the world today. I may be naive in saying this, but I truly believe in replacing negativity with love. We can’t solve our issues with the same mindset we used to create them. I understand that some of us are going through some deep shit, and what I’m about to say may sound real fluffy. But what has worked for me in recent times, is adopting childlike qualities. A young child doesn’t know hate until he/she is taught to hate/fear what they don’t understand. They generally see the world with a sense of awe and wonder, a quality we dismiss somewhere around puberty, in favor of conformity. The only way forward in my opinion, is to remember/imagine what it was/is like to be childlike. How can we incorporate some of the qualities like curiosity and awe into our mundane adult lives? How can we strike a balance? How do we come to know the strength of the man, without losing the woman’s care? How do we love ourselves, without hating the other? How do we create, without competition? How does one manage great success with even greater humility?

These are real questions that we all are faced with. Personally, this verse of the Tao te Ching helps to guide me in the right direction. It reinforces my belief that with a childlike sense of wonder, a healthy curiosity, and a balanced disposition, (as well as having a support group, CBD, staying hydrated & deepening my connection with God) I can and will achieve success, if I continue to head confidently in the direction of my dreams.

Ai-Creo

Verse 27

In this verse, Lao-tzu urges the reader to live by his/her own inner light. Trust seems like such a big issue for many of us and it stems from not being connected to our inner light. In other words, our lack of trust in our selves, projects as distrust of others. We’ve built these walls or defense mechanisms to protect ourselves from being hurt by others, but in so doing we ironically hurt ourselves in the process. When you’re connected to your inner light aka your truth, according to Lao-tzu there is no need to hide. You’re allowed to be open and share your light with others without the fear of being used or manipulated. Lao-tzu says, “Be wise and help all beings impartially, abandoning none. Waste no opportunities. This is called following the light.” I think there’s a difference between what he proposes here and the idea of being a so-called  ‘doormat’ or ‘martyr’ in our society today. We’re taught to protect our energy from people who seek to drain us of our light/energy. I’m still finding the balance between the two. 

He goes on to say, “a knower of the truth travels without leaving a trace, speaks without causing harm, gives without keeping an account.” I think this takes a lot of strength, but its definitely the kind of human I know I am and becoming. Lately I’ve been more aware of how blessed I am and expressing gratitude for not only the material things I own, but the spiritual gifts I possess as well. We always tend to postpone giving until we have more. When we make that million dollars, only then are we able to help the disadvantaged people, or something like that. 

But I think it starts with now, it starts with gathering up the resources you have now to improve your life and the lives of others that you can impact. 

The author Ari Kiev put it this way, “The real trick is not in acquiring a greater fortune, more prestige, or more power, but in finding out your gift and putting it to use.” I think the gift that Kiev alludes to, is what Lao-tzu refers to as one’s inner light. No matter how much of your gift/light you give, knowing that it’ll never run out is helpful in difficult situations when you may feel slighted by others. The message I get from all of this is to trust in yourself. Trust in your gift/light/ability. Trust that you have everything you need. Trust that you are enough. Trust that within you there is a light that never goes out. Trust that God resides within you. How then can you ever fail?

Ai-Creo

Verse 26

Although it’s been a while since I made a journal entry, this week’s message could not have come at a more appropriate time. On the heel of the Lunar Eclipse we just experienced, I realize how restless I was and how helpless I seemed to be at the moment. The 26th verse of the Tao te Ching speaks of living more calmly. I understand that calmness is power, and it’s a state of being that I aspire to maintain. With anxiety, restlessness and depression being so commonplace these days, we find ourselves finding ways to maintain our calm through all the craziness happening in our inner and outer world. According to Laotzu, he said “to be restless is to lose one’s self-mastery.” Is self-mastery even a goal for people these days?

I think culturally and globally we’ve lost touch with our root and that’s playing out through the rise of mental health issues in our societies today. It’s ironic that I’ve come to find peace of mind in a place as hectic as New York City. But in a lot of ways it makes sense, because when you’re surrounded by chaos all the time, in order to survive you’re forced to find a place within yourself that is peaceful and harmonious - a safe haven within that one can retreat to.

I see a lot of people struggling with themselves, with the thoughts in their heads that they’d rather not have. The late author Wayne Dyer said, “You have a choice in every moment, so you can decide to be a host to God and carry around with you the calmness that is the Tao, or you can be a hostage to your ego, which insists that you can’t really help feeling disorderly when you’re in circumstances that resemble pandemonium.” 

It is my prayer for you and I, that no matter what our external circumstance may be, that we always remember the calm, the stillness within each of us. That is our greatest power.

Ai-Creo

Verse 25

In this verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu aims to convince the reader of the inherent greatness that lives within each and every one of us. I don’t know why we have to go through times of inferiority to finally realize that we’re worthy of living our best life. I guess it has to do with duality. You can’t have up without down, left without right etc. But for some people, they live their entire lives thinking that they’re not good enough, and they never quite make the shift. Majority of my life, I’ve had some type of inferiority complex, but simultaneously knowing that deep down there was greatness within me. To be great is a choice, a conscious effort that must be practiced daily. A lot of times, we slip up and revert back to the old ways of thinking…what if I fail? I don’t really know what I’m doing! All of these thoughts arise not because they’re true, but out of habit. 

I am great. You are Great. We are all Great. The life force that animated the life of geniuses like Albert Einstein or Nikola Tesla, also animates you and I. The energy that ran through Michael Jackson or Michael Jordan, also runs through you and I. We’re in a time where the old limiting beliefs we’ve been conditioned to believe are no longer in control. We’re opening ourselves to our power, and although it scares us to delve into unknown territory, I think we’re a lot better after we come out on the other side, knowing that there is nothing to be afraid of. 

According to Neale Donald Walsch, “The purpose of life is to create your Self anew, in the next grandest version of the greatest vision ever you held about Who You Are.” As the new year approaches, I hope we’re all bold enough to shed whatever is holding us back and unleash the greatness that lives within each and every one of us. It’s Lit!

Ai-Creo

Verse 24

The 24th verse talks about cutting out ego-driven boastfulness from our lives. Laotzu mentions that an inner approval is healthy, but bragging about one’s talents and accomplishments is “odious and distasteful.” In the past 2 years, the themes of gratitude and letting go have played an important role in my life. When you’re in a constant state of gratitude, you start to realize that everything really is connected and essentially works in your favor, even the upsets and change of plans. That also ties in with letting go, because when you try to control everything, you end up being disappointed when things don’t go your way, regardless of whether the mishap was a blessing in disguise. 

Also in this verse Laotzu states, “he who tries to shine dims his own light. he who rushes ahead doesn’t go far.” To me, the message here is to be cool. It’s important to have a strong sense of self, to find approval within oneself. But unfortunately we’ve been conditioned to overvalue external approval, and when we don't get it, we’re pressured to seek it out from others. It’s becoming apparent that a lot of people lack self awareness and emotional intelligence. Consequently, that leads to insecurity and people doing the most to get attention and/or approval. The themes of instant gratification and overconfidence are such a staple in our society, that without a solid foundation, you’d actually think this was the normal way to be. It’s no wonder Hip hop has such a strong hold on culture today. Most of the songs out are about how much money they have, how many people they’ve fucked or whatever metric system they choose to measure their success. I’m choosing to trade my ego-driven desires/actions with a little more gratitude and humility. The goal is to do my personal best, knowing that everything in the universe is perfect just the way it is, including me.

Ai-Creo

Verse 23

In this 23rd verse of the Tao te Ching, Laotzu’s message is to live more naturally. If you ever sit  quietly and observe, you’ll notice that the way of the natural world is unhurried and unforced. The seed is planted and with the right environment and resources, it blossoms in due time to stand in the sun. The ebb and flow of the ocean does it’s thing with rhythm and grace. For many of us now, we’re always looking for the next big thing. We seem to want the fruit immediately after the seed is planted. When we go through difficult times, we want it to go away with the quickness. We have to go back to a time when our ancestors lived more naturally and understood the cycles of nature. Today we’re bombarded with too much information, too many choices, it’s no doubt everyone is dealing with some form of anxiety. We’ve forgotten what it means to be in harmony with nature. Our lives are filled with so much noise that when you do get a moment of silence, the mind goes on overdrive because it doesn’t know how to handle it. I’m working on co-existing between silence and noise, between the old and new, analog and digital. As a millennial I’m lucky to have grown up at a time before technology. In a lot of ways technology has really been helpful in our development and the tasks we’re able to perform now that were inconceivable 20 years ago. But that has also come with a price. More than ever before, we’ve become so impatient in every aspect of life. The ideals and virtues that allowed our ancestors to persevere against all odds are now being eroded. What I want is to live in harmony with the universe, with the life force from which everything originates. If I’m with God, who/what can be against me? It’s easier said than done because the ego’s job is to act as if it’s in control. The thought of surrender seems to be like suicide, But I think surrendering to nature’s way, to the Tao is the most intelligent act anyone can do. To know that the force that is responsible for the planets in orbit, is also responsible for the way my life flows, lifts a lot of weight off my shoulders. I then become a co-creator in my life as I learn to live in harmony with the Tao. It’s a less forceful and anxious way to live, and I’m here for it.

Ai Creo

Verse 22

In this verse of the Tao, Laotzu speaks on flexibility and receptivity. These are 2 states of being that I’ve been working on developing in my life lately. Physically, over the past few months I’ve incorporated Yoga/stretching into my regimen as a way to increase flexibility in my body. I’ve heard that one of the marks of youth is having a flexible spine - the spine being literally the back bone of this whole operation called the human body. I hope that I’m able to keep this yoga routine well into my old age and that I’m still able to do the bridge pose at age 80. But more than physical flexibility, I think being mentally flexible is also a sign of youth, no matter what age you are. I’ve learned so much from people, by not being so rigid in my point of view. It’s ok to believe in what you believe in, but I think it’s also important to be able to listen to someone and really hear what they have to say. This is sometimes labeled as being impressionable, but I’d rather take that than being rigid and closed-minded. It’s so liberating to know that I don’t know everything and that it’s ok to learn along the way. Especially when things change so rapidly these days, being flexible is a major key to survival in all the ways possible. Wayne Dyer uses the example of the palm tree as a metaphor for Laotzu’s message of flexibility. Most palm trees are able to withstand severe hurricane weather by being flexible, even with the harsh winds, they bend but do not break. I think we also should be like palm trees, by being able to withstand unpleasant circumstances by being flexible and able to bounce back after a storm.

The second topic Laotzu mentioned was of Receptivity. As a woman, I’ve noticed recently that I have a hard time accepting/receiving. It’s like as women, we’re programmed to constantly give and give and give. We give so much of our selves, and then get overwhelmed when we’re left with nothing. Let go and let God is a phrase that came to mind as I was writing this sentence. It ties in with the rigidity I mentioned earlier. Why is it so hard to just receive love, joy, abundance, without thinking the person must have an ulterior motive. At the root of it, there seems to be a lack of trust for self and other. Either that or a lack of self-worth, that I deserve to receive all the goodness I dream about.

This message has come to me at a crucial time in my life and I think we all need to be a little more flexible and receptive in our approach to life. It doesn’t hurt to hear out another’s opinion, you just might learn something subtle, or a major lesson that’ll change your whole life. And we also have to be more receptive - to love, to truth, to abundance. In order to receive we have to empty our vessels of preconceived notions, limiting beliefs that do not serve us, the lies our families/society have fed us since childhood etc. I think once we’re able to start living life in this way, there’ll be a major transformation in the way we communicate with ourselves and the Universe.

Ai Creo

Verse 21

In this verse of the Tao te Ching, Laotzu aims to highlight the formless nameless aspect of reality. This is something I’ve pondered and I’m sure every person that has ever walked the face of the earth, has as well. Where do we come from? What/Who exactly is running the whole show, from the “Big Bang’ to present?

Laotzu urges us to look within to find these answers. At the end of the verse, he says, “How do I know the ways of all things at the beginning? I look inside myself and see what is within me.” That's Profound!

Growing up, every one is told a similar but different story about creation based on their religious and scientific backgrounds. As humans, its only natural that we developed stories to help our brains/ ego cope with our reality. How is it that no one knows? It’s actually kind of hilarious, that in this world where everything has a name and explanation, there doesn't seem to be a concrete unanimous explanation for why or how we exist. 

Although logic and reasoning has brought us a long way, it is still limited in how far it can take us as a collective. That’s why there’s been a huge surge in spirituality practices, to help people who are sensitive to cope with the happenings of the world. We live in a highly technological world, where everything you need is at your fingertips, except peace of mind - A peace that comes through a sense of belonging and connectedness. We are highly connected digitally, but lack authentic connection with each other.

Anxiety, depression and a lack of purpose are so commonplace nowadays and I can’t help but wonder how we’ll get through this as a collective. Over the past few months, I’ve adopted a few mindfulness practices and lifestyle changes that have allowed me to slow down and embark on the scary but necessary journey within. What am I afraid of? I think it goes to show how disconnected I must be from Source - the orchestrator of all things seen and unseen. I’m unlearning the ‘Seeing is Believing’ mentality I’ve been conditioned to believe. I’m relearning how to use my imagination and my speech - 2 of the most creative tools to manifest my ideas and visions. I have to say that this is not as easy as it sounds. It takes a certain level of commitment to imagination, positive thinking, creativity and innovation. To believe in things that are not yet made manifest. I believe if I were to invite Laotzu over to my apt in Bedstuy for tea, this is what he would tell me:

Look to connect with Source energy, the driving force behind all that is seen and unseen. Believe that you are a creation of this force, so that means you also possess the ability to create form (manifestation) out of the formless (ideas and dreams). Believe in your ability to create. The Force is With You! So stop doubting yourself. Greatness is your Birthright.

Ai Creo

Verse 20

Imagine for a minute a life without strife.

That’s exactly what this verse of the Tao te Ching proposes. Growing up in Lagos, Nigeria I would often hear my mother say “Oh Life what a Strife.” As a kid I didn’t know what it meant at the time but the phrase seeped into my subconscious and stayed there for a very long time. Luckily I got into spiritual teachings and self-help material in my early 20s, so right as I was having to fend for myself, the notion of life being a strife was being challenged by this new information of ease and abundance. Although I resonated with what the books/quotes would say, in the back of mind I still harbored the idea that to be human was to suffer. That to be human meant to toil, sweat, labor in pain as I had been taught in the book of Genesis, after Adam and Eve were banished from their home.

We’re inundated with the message of capitalistic ambition and hustle from a young age, that we don’t realize there’s an alternate route to take until much later in life after we’ve exhausted ourselves. I’m grateful to be alive now because we’re blessed with so much information that wasn't shared freely prior to our generation. The words ‘abundance’ and ‘manifestation’ weren’t used nearly as often as they are now. Manifestation is living life without strife, in the way Laotzu describes. There are things I’ve stressed about, prayed about (in the traditional, begging God sense) and those things never became a reality. But when I started to give mindfulness and intentional living a shot, I realized that I was more receptive to attract/manifest the things/circumstances/people I needed with ease.

The idea of pounding the pavement is dead. With the right intention and a well written email, I’m able to manifest what it may take someone else 5 years of “hard work” to “make happen”. I’m not proposing that we let go of work ethic etc, but living life without strife lets you know where to place your energy and where not to.

The other key elements I got from this passage, was the importance of being in the present moment and learning to let go - Let Go and Let God. I’m choosing to let go of this Santa Claus theory of having to play nice so as to not offend God, because then I’ll be on the naughty list and suffer in hell for all eternity. If I was made in the image and likeness of God, then shouldn't I feel entitled to the goodness and beauty of life? Society has given the word ‘entitlement’ such a negative connotation, but for me it just simply means that I’m deserving of a good life. Like why not? That’s where a lot of our doubt, self worth issues come into play because we truly don’t believe that we deserve goodness. We’re taught to believe that success doesn’t come unless you suffer and potentially step on people to get where you’re going because “that’s what it takes.”  Once again that’s dead. Maybe that’s how things went on in the past, but we’re literally witnessing a new earth being born from within us - a more inclusive, collaborative approach to life. 

It helps me when I realize that no one really knows where they are in this endless universe. It’s up to each and every one of us to help each other find our way to a vision of a destination that we ourselves create as we go. I’ve lived majority of my life looking to impress because that’s what I thought it was about. But that’s stressful as fuck. I’m choosing to live my life simply. Not a life without desire, but a life that’s not regretting the past or stressing about the future, that I miss out on the right now. I’m a huge believer in divine timing/manifestation. I know that what is for me won’t pass me by if I take the necessary steps, but I also have to be able to leave what is out of my control up to the universe to handle. 

My keyword for this year and essentially for the rest of my life is gratitude. It makes such a huge difference to be grateful bro! What’s the point of being unhappy and depressed because of what is supposedly “missing” in my life?

Here’s to living a life lived with intention. gratitude. love, for self and others. Knowing that all I need will be taken care of for I am a child of the universe that’s deserving of a beautiful life.

Ai-Creo

Verse 19

This verse talked about the institutions of education, business and justice & our relationship with them. For example, in society it was the norm that without the right education from a prestigious school, one wouldn’t be able to climb the corporate ladder. But we’re beginning to see how those paradigms are shifting (for the better). What Bill Gates and Kanye West have in common, is that despite being college dropouts, they believed so much in themselves and in their idea, that they were willing to leave the herd behind and go confidently in the direction of their dream/vision.

Personally, growing up in an African household, we were taught that in order to be liked and respected within the community, we had to be well-educated, well-to-do, God-fearing, law abiding members of society. 

The world of institutional pressures constantly dish out an endless list of do’s and don’ts - and most times the damn rules change with the times - so you’re constantly changing yourself to fit in. I think that the measure of success shouldn’t be in how much is in one’s bank account, or how many degrees you received from the prestigious school you went to. I’ve learnt that the people, who on the surface seem to have everything, end up being the most emotionally/mentally/spiritually impoverished people of them all. 

Of course being knowledgeable is key (Knowledge is POWER). Being financially abundant helps both you and the community and abiding by the rules of society maintains a certain level of order. But we can’t have that be the entire content of our existence. If tomorrow everything you’ve acquired was taken away, who/what are you left with? As a generation I don’t think we’ve developed a strong sense of self - we link our worth to our academic achievements and/or our current socio-economic status. That’s why over the past decade, social media has been such a gift and a curse. Not only does it serve as a tool for community and inspiration, it can also foster envy/judgement and social comparison. In the words of Shakti Gawain, "We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other peoples' models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channel to open."

It is our birth right, each and every one of us, to live our best lives - and that doesn’t have to mean the same exact thing for everyone. For our sake, and the sake of the future generations, we have to rediscover what it’s like to live from the heart. Not from familial/societal expectations, but from our core. That is what Laotzu is proposing here in this 19th verse, that these “outward forms” - the institutions of society are not sufficient in themselves. He says “It’s more important to see the simplicity and realize one’s true nature.”

Who are you and what are you living for?

Ai-Creo

Verse 18

The 18th verse of the Tao te Ching focuses on the idea of living without rules. From a very young age, we’ve been indoctrinated to follow rules in order to not face the consequences of breaking said rules. Growing up in a Christian household, I was taught the 10 commandments as a sort of guide to life - avoid doing any of those things, and you’re straight in the eyes of God. But as I got older, I realized that although the rules do make sense, it’s not enough to simply know the rules and avoid doing them ( so we’re not on God’s “naughty list”) - This whole Santa Claus theory is one that unfortunately rules the minds of majority of people in the world. As Laotzu suggests, “if you need rules to be kind and just, this is a sure sign that virtue is absent.” 

It’s no wonder why the church and state hold so much power, they use their rules to control the masses and looking at where society is at the moment, it’s obvious that rules don’t effect change and bring harmony in times of chaos. Personally I’ve been working on unlearning a lot of things that no longer serve me. With my personal healing, I’m learning to open my heart more because I feel this is where real change begins. When we let go of our rule-based thinking and perceive life with a heart-based attitude, I think the power that the Church/State seem to have over the individual, will cease to exist overtime. In my opinion, one of the biggest problems is that we’ve lost our sense of individual responsibility as a part of the collective. Your reason for not killing another person isn’t because it’s against the law; rather, you assume personal responsibility for your actions. And if we preach about us all being from the one God, the one creator, then we realize that if we are one, then what I do to you, I consequently do to myself - The Golden Rule in so many words.

A lot of our problems today in the world ultimately comes from a lack of self-love. I think when there’s a genuine love for self, that changes our personal life and the world as a whole. When we shift our consciousness from the current fear-based norm to that of love, I really do think we can manifest heaven on earth. 

Ai-Creo

Verse 17

I’ve often asked myself what it takes to be a leader. Growing up in Nigeria, I had the impression that all leaders were corrupt, embezzling fools who neglected the needs of the people. I now know, that although most leaders do abuse their power, that is not always the case. Some of the best leaders in history didn’t seek to rule/dominate over anyone. The reason for their effective leadership, was that they showed people that they possessed the power within themselves to bring about real change. When I think of Mahatma Gandhi or Nelson Mandela, those are the kind of leaders I speak of here. They led by wisdom, love and most importantly through their courage in the face of injustice. 

When I read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essay on Self-Reliance, that really inspired me to see myself as a leader in my own right. Although the essay was published in 1841, it spoke so loudly to me now in 2018. We’ve given so much of our power to institutions who capitalize on our vulnerabilities. It seems people would rather be led than to find out how to lead themselves from within. My mission is break the chains of victimhood, inferiority and servility that have tied me down for so long. By discovering and expressing the power(s) that lay dormant within me, I hope to create space for others to be inspired and to achieve their own greatness.

We are all Leaders/Teachers, each and every one of us. The time for playing small is over. In the coming years, we will have to be strong. We have to teach our children as well to be strong and self-reliant. To be courageous and maintain a sense of calm even in the midst of chaos.

That is what it takes to be a true leader.

Ai-Creo

Verse 16

While reading this passage, the song Closing Time, by Semisonic kept replaying in my head, especially that line that goes, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

That is basically what Lao-Tzu emphasizes here, that change is the only constant in life and the sooner you adhere to this law, the more in harmony you will be with the Tao.

Between Nostalgia and looking ahead to the future, we’re either mourning over how the past was so much better than today, OR fearing that what is good in our lives now might change for the worse in the future. It’s our inability to go with the flow that causes much suffering in life (i.e.  end of a relationship, loss of a job that probably didn’t serve you anyway, or much harder than the rest, the death of a loved one)

There is much wisdom in the phrase, This too shall pass. When things appear to be going wrong, it serves as a wonderful reminder that your current situation isn’t permanent. And when things are going good, it also serves as a reminder to enjoy and cherish the moment because this too shall pass, (this isn’t to cause anxiety and make you fear, but I think having this perspective is helpful in understanding and accepting the transient nature of life.) 

I end this journal entry with some wise words from the best sidekick any one could ask for - Mr Samwise Gamghee from the movie, Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers.

Ai-Creo

Verse 15

I took Lao-Tzu’s words a little too literally, as it has been about 6 weeks since I last wrote. In this passage, he talks about living an unhurried life. Within the past 6 weeks, I visited Paris, I believe that city is the embodiment of living an unhurried life; there is a certain calm that I had not experienced in New York. The current Anxiety/Depression epidemic that is sweeping over the world, is a result of our ‘new and improved’ way of living. The pressure to be ON & always on the go is causing emotional and physical stress that we as humans have not experienced before. 

Especially as a millennial, the pressure of ‘Making It’ adds an  extra level of anxiety as we want to be recognized for our work by our peers, make more money and live a better life than our parents could afford. In short it seems like we’re racing east in search of the sunset.

As the Dirty Projectors song goes, “Stillness is the Move”. That is why mindfulness programs are in high demand now as we search for remedies for our new lifestyles. I like the idea of being in alignment with the Universe (Tao) and as a result, what is for you flows to you without excess effort on your part. In the words of Caliph Ali, “Thy lot or portion of life is seeking after thee; therefore be at rest from seeking after it.”

Our purpose is to remain in harmony with nature. Everything blooms (and dies) in its right time. I've learned to always remain in a state of gratitude, even when things appear to be going left. Trust that you and everything in your life is unfolding in divine order.

Verse 14

What is the Spirit? This elusive yet profound element to our existence that we experience, but know nothing about. In this passage, Lao-tzu talks about this (the Tao), that although it cannot be heard, seen or touched, it is the essence of every living thing and rules everything we know.

He proposes that we learn to live beyond form. As humans we learn to rely on in-form-ation, and are skeptical about anything that lies beyond the reach of our human senses. To be honest for most of my life, I've lived in my head. I relied heavily on logic and reason to navigate and make sense of my existence. It wasn’t until a recent breakdown, when my own logic/thinking turned against me that I seeked refuge elsewhere. I began researching the ancient wisdom traditions and learning about the mind-body-soul connection, as well as cultivating a meditation/mindfulness practice.

I’m choosing to live more from a place of in-spiration. I have a lot to learn as I forge this relationship between my personality and spirit/soul. When one thinks about the fact that we all share a common source, the illusion of separateness begins to dissolve. Knowing that the eternal source that allows the sun to rise up each morning and allows the trees to blossom again after winter also abides in me, gives be a level of assurance (non-anxiety) that I belong here and have nothing to be afraid of.