Despite the fact that I was raised Roman Catholic, I was fortunate enough to eventually become a sold-out and crazy, “deaf, dumb, and blind faith believer” in God the Father, His Son, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. That being said, I’m also somewhat of an omnist in that I believe that all the different faiths and creeds point to a singular, transcendent being that unites us all, all of which are known by different names, but in my case said “being” is called by the aforementioned name of “God”.

The great Lao Tzu was a brilliant writer and philosopher who was widely known to not only be a good and kind man, but also a fierce proponent of the natural order of things, freedom from social norms, spontaneity, and the underlying unity of this Universe. He also fathered Taoism, in which he didn’t acknowledge the “God” I believe in (or any god or omnipotence outside of the Cosmos), there are a great many of his ancient teachings that I personally adhere to and align with.

You see, that’s what makes each of our unique spiritualities, beliefs, and paths so incredibly fucking beautiful … and powerful! If you search deep and wide enough and truly desire internal peace and alignment with this Universe, you will likely find a little nugget of your soul’s song in every soul’s song.

Yup, we’re all different! There ain’t no doubt about it! But then again, we’re really not so different. We all have something to bring to the table, and unless or until we come to terms with that epic collective reality, the great divide that is burgeoning between us will be our ultimate downfall and demise. We have to learn to think for ourselves, together, but separately, and sometimes even look inside the odd little boxes we don’t want to look in that we find down all those scary, dark corridors and blind corners.

I truly wish I could have met you, Lao Tzu, and truly believe that you would have loved my own “Nothing. Everything. ALL OF IT!” mantra. Here’s hoping I’ve made you proud by holding your age-old belief that when we do, say, think, or give of ourselves, we should do so from ONLY a place of the true love and conviction of our soul, expecting not one single thing in return. Oh, and wise sage, indeed I heard you when you said:

Not seeking, not expecting, she is present, and can welcome all things.

I shall not seek. I shall not expect. I shall be present. I shall welcome all things. And for the record, Master Tzu, I do hope to have Lucky Charms with you some day in another space and time. You’re my kinda people!

NOT SO DIFFERENT

There’s a panic in the air – lead you down a dark corridor, round a blind corner. Beware! Why do you stare? You got a bad feeling? Heavy heart beating so scared. What’s really going on behind the scenes, through the back streets, down the alleyways that nobody sees? Through the heart of what divides, whenever I look into your eyes, we don’t need the space between. We’re close enough to see we’re not so different now. We’re not so different. We are almost there, and this is the beginning as long as you are willing to dare. We’ve been everywhere looking for some meaning – looking for a reason to care. What’s really going on behind the scenes, through the back streets, down the alleyways that nobody sees. Through the heart of what divides, whenever I look into your eyes, we don’t need the space between. We’re close enough to see – we’re not so different now. We’re not so different now. {Trapt}