How to Live the Tao

As I prepared to write this article, I gathered aroundHe went to the grave and let out all the pent-up
me several Wayne Dyer's books.resentments and hatred he had simmering inwardly for
Once these books were all around me, I could gatheryears.
my sense of calm and write one word, and then theAt the end of the session, he told his father, "From
next.now on, I send you only love."
One of Wayne's favorite Patanjali aphorisms definesAfter this, his career took off, and his spiritual quest
inspiration, and applies six rewards to the process:began in earnest.
When you are inspired, or in-spirit, at one with God/ess,Wayne Dyer describes forgiveness as the fragrance
and at one with some great purpose, 1) all thoughtsthe violet sheds on the heel of the one who crushed it,
break their bonds, 2) the mind transcends limitations,a quote from a famous author.
3)consciousness expands in all directions, 4) and youDyer describes the Tao as a return trip. We come
find yourself in a new and great wonderful world. 5)back to where we originated and come to know it for
Dormant forces come alive, 6) and you discoverthe first time.
yourself greater by far than you ever imagined before.We are returning to our source, the womb of God
Inspiration is not just an idea. It is a signal that you areess.
living your life as if you never left your source.Dyer says when you are connected to Oneness,
Dyer took a Patanjali aphorism a day and allowed thethere is nothing to say.
message of each one sink into his consciousness.You only do that which inspires you with an inner
He did the same with the wisdom with the Tao Teexcitement of creativity and beauty.
Ching by Lao-Tzu, all 81 verses, and spent 4 1/2 daysThe day after Dyer turned sixty-five, he sold his
on each one. This is what he recommends we all doproperty in Florida, gave everything away, and moved
as we read "Change Your Thoughts, Change Yourto Maui, Hawaii.
Life."Oprah asked, "Do we have to give up all our material
Oprah asked Wayne Dyer if he thought a personpossessions to live the Tao?"
needed to be far along the spiritual path in order to"Absolutely not," said Wayne Dyer, "But if what you
understand the Tao.own, owns you, then get rid of it."
Wayne said, "No." You just have to think of life asAt the end of the year of living the Tao, Dyer said he
conflict free, to learn to think as God/ess thinks, withoutwas in a consciousness of thinking like God/ess thinks.
force, excluding no one.He became like water, as the Tao instructs, and
You learn to see that life is all about giving, as youentered every pore, every opening.
progress through the wisdom.The Tao does nothing and leaves nothing undone.
You learn to forgive everyone, including yourself.The ego falls away.
Oprah asked Dyer about the movie The Secret. He"What is the ego?" Oprah asked.
said that he was asked to be in the movie, but theDyer said it's: "I am what I have, I am what I do, I am
emphasis on materialism turned him off. In fact, hemy reputation."
virtually gave everything away that he did not want orThe ego separates you from everyone and
need, including his shoes, as he embarked on hiseverything.
intensive study of the Tao.Tao is emptiness. It's all about selfless giving and
Dyer learned from the Tao that anything can be apracticing what this means day by day.
teacher.Spiritual thinkers say the world is getting better, that we
For instance the sun: After all this time, the sun neverare now solidly living in a New Age.
said to the earth, "You owe me one."The evening news tells us otherwise, that everything is
Our live-in animals, the bugs and trees all havea battleground and we (America) must win.
messages for us.How could divinity create anything that is not worthy of
Wayne mentioned that his next project is to teachitself?
people how to change their negative thoughts. This willHow could divinity create anything that is not divine?
be very helpful, I am sure.The Tao taught Dyer to be joyful everywhere he
Wayne never met his father but harbored greatfound himself.
resentment towards his dad because he abandonedHe learned to see the enfolding of God/ess in
Wayne, his brother and mother. In fact both siblingseveryone.
had to live in an Orphanage until his mom could getI am inspired to take four days per the eighty-one
herself in a position where she could take care of herlessons to do the Tao, as Wayne Dyer instructs, as
children, again.preparation for the New Year, and beyond.
Wayne went on a mission to find his dad, and in thatFar beyond anything I have ever known, or will ever
odyssey, found out he died.know.