We live in a world full of dichomoties, extremes and polar opposites – strength and flexibility, power and weakness, dark and light, male and female, physical and spiritual, religious and scientific, knowledge and ignorance, war and peace.  The list is endless….

Our challenge is to journey through life with a consciousness of these dichotomies, maintaining as much balance as possible between them while at the same time we explore new territories, gain more information and awareness and grow both physically and spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  This is no easy task!

At times our journey can seem overwhelming and we may be tempted to seek solace and stability in one set of beliefs or another.  We look for and find something that makes sense to us at the time be it a religious or spiritual community, a political alliance, a scientific revelation, a business enterprise, a health and fitness regime or other such focus for our energy and attention.

When I was learning how to develop and recognize my intuitive abilities, I was taught that the truth lies within.  In other words, I already possess my own information and answers for my life journey, and by looking within I can uncover that awareness and information.  This was such a homecoming for me.  What’s more, I was taught that my own information and truth is unique and is not the same for any other individual.  In other words, what is true for me is not necessarily true for anyone else, including those close to me – family, friends, associates, etc.

Teaching in my opinion is a sharing of knowledge, information and wisdom.  However, teaching can shift to indoctrination when the teacher fears the loss of control.  What happens if his or her students outgrow his knowledge or information?  What happens when a parent no longer has all the answers for their children?  Supposing someone develops a newer, better, more innovative product or service than you are offering?

It is when we lose track of who we are, and become too comfortable with or reliant on our belief system that this fear drives us into a state of competition and control.  Allowing space for people to have newer or different ideas, views and information forces us to continuously re-examine our own information.

Then there is the notoriety, admiration, respect and celebrity that can come about from offering people information, healing, knowledge, a cure-all, etc.  Suddenly, you become elevated to a place of renown.  People talk about you, and more people seek you out.  This energy can act as an aphrodisiac or addiction, something that is hard to let go of or step down from.  However, does any one person have the ultimate answer?  NO!

If we are unwilling to re-examine our beliefs or to let go of the notoriety then a political leader becomes a dictator, a religious leader becomes a zealot, a spiritual advisor becomes a guru, etc.  And at this point, they stop growing.

In the book “The Tao Te Ching” a new english version by Stephen Mitchell, in Chapter 17 it states:

“The Master doesn’t talk, he acts.
When his work is done, the people say
‘Amazing: we did it all by ourselves!'”

In Chapter 81 of the same book, it states:

“True words aren’t eloquent;
eloquent words aren’t true.
Wise men don’t need to prove their point;
men who need to prove their point aren’t wise.

The Tao nourishes by not forcing.
By not dominating, the Master leads.”

Don’t get caught in the game of trying to control those around you.  The biggest loser in that game is YOU!  Investing all your energy into controlling other peoples belief systems, their vision of the world and how they live their lives simply gets you stuck where you are and doesn’t allow you to grow and change.

On the other hand, offering someone assistance and guidance in finding their own information and knowledge and then letting them go, frees you up to explore more for yourself!