Receive and accept your luminosity.

This is the message I felt throughout chapters 25-28 of Tao Te Ching. The words served as a reminder that the Tao is both beyond us and within us, perfect in its presence. A reminder of the unchangeable light alive within us all. A push to show us that we can embody this light, that we are this light. Inspiration to sit quietly and connect to this presence, to be illuminated from within and shine out into our world.

“There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born...
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

...the Tao will be luminous inside you.”

— Tao Te Ching

“When the Master governs, the people
are hardly aware that he exits.
Next best is a leader who is loved.
Next, one who is feared.
The worst is one who is despised.”

— Tao Te Ching 17

This site is a reflection of my study of love as an action in religious texts and traditions. And while I seek this in these texts and look to move love into action in my own life, with today's political climate so much of this text also leads me to reflect on our current state in America. At the way in which our President Elect is leading through actions of hate and building on people's fears to "lead". This chapter and the seven that follow guide us through a perspective on this that reminds me to let go of this fear and worry. It encourages that even in times when a leader is corrupt or despised, a more worthy patriotism can be born. That in stopping, breathing, and connecting within we can find our light and share it more fully. That our role is to connect with this wholeness, love, that resides within our human form and remember that which we are... whole, complete, and love. We must let go to see the book says, we must do our job and then let go, to turn inward and be illuminated by the radiance that is the Tao, that is us.