Practice Mystic Virtue

The Strategy: Follow the true path of Mystic Virtue. Mystic virtue opens the door to the true path. The mysterious virtue of source will flow freely to and through you and all whom you encounter will experience goodness.

Its Application. Transcend the ego, choose wisdom and virtue in each moment. Cultivate your ability to become and remain oriented as the true self. As the true self follow your true path with mystic virtue as your guide.

Chapter 10, Tao Te Ching

In holding the soul and embracing the oneness

Can one be steadfast, without straying?

In concentrating the energy and reaching relaxation

Can one be like an infant?

In cleaning away the worldly view

Can one be without imperfections?

In loving the people and ruling the nation

Can one be without manipulation

In the heavenly gate’s opening and closing

Can one hold to the feminine principle?

In understanding clearly all directions

Can one be without intellectuality?

Bearing it, rearing it

Bearing without possession

Achieving without arrogance

Raising without domination

This is called the Mystic Virtue

In Strategy number one, we find that we must become self aware through the practice of meditation. In strategy number two, we learn that we must continue the self awareness by paying attention in each and every moment. In strategy number three, we realize that we have the power of choice as we create our life moment by moment. In strategy number four, we can choose the wisdom of practicing mystic virtue.

Virtue can be defined as moral excellence and goodness. Spirit may be defined as consciousness and self awareness. Thus when we are self aware as a spiritual being and choosing virtue to create our reality, moment by moment, we are practicing mystic virtue.

This is a game changer of huge potential. At once you are undergoing an self check and can quickly discern which self is in this moment. As you read these words recommending that you follow virtue, notice how you react and feel about that. The part of you that realizes the truth and accepts this is your true self. The part of you that resists following virtue and rejects the seeking of moral excellence is the ego. So in this now, is a moment of truth. Which path do you take? One opens the door to the true path, the other continues toward self destruction. Virtue is the path of spirit and ego is the path of materialism and form.

The path of virtue is not an absolute. It is the balance tween to two realms we are connected to . As a spiritual being having a physical experience we are connected to both the spiritual and the physical. Balance is the key to mystic virtue. The strategy is to learn to use moderation and find balance between form and spirit. This is a path where the true self, controls the ego.

This path does not mean that we do not enjoy pleasures of the earthly realm. Sensation is a wonderful gift. As the true self, one is awake of the sensation in a given moment as experiences the wonder fully aware. When we concentrate on the experience we it becomes so much more richer. Distracted we move the through the sensation yet not fully having the experience. The true self fully enjoys the experience but does not become attached to the sensation. The true self can enjoy and let go. The ego becomes attached, dependent and is already looking forward to doing again as soon as possible.

Most importantly, the true self realizes that the sensation experience may be joyful but realizes it is not the source of happiness. The ego thinks the sensational experience is happiness and this creates desire. The true self feels gratitude and lets go. The Ego becomes attached and develops a false need.

So in any given moment, we have choices. As the true self we can choose virtue, or if we are distracted in ego, we choose sensation seeking and more distraction. The true self will choose to serve others, the ego will seek to serve “me”.

Mindful of feelings, the true self will manage ego and seek wisdom. In this way the Tao cultivator follows the true path. Imprisoned by feelings and emotions, the ego does not give a rip about virtue, it only wants to address its unfulfilled desire. The true self can moderate and hold to balance of lifes pleasures. The ego is a bottomless pit of unlimited desire. For the ego, enough is never enough and more is better.

The power in strategy number four provides the map for navigating the minefield of ego traps that will cause life to blow up on us. Look deep inside your “self” and see if you can notice the truth that we should be good and follow a moral path. One can begin to see where ego desire and distraction blinds us and leads us into trouble.

If you can be honest with your “self” for just an instant, you must admit that being virtuous is what we have always been called to do. Practicing mystic virtue does not guarantee you a problem free life. But it will help you from making problems worse by making bad choices. You have heard the saying, “out of the frying pan and into the fire”. Life will throw some crazy stuff at us sometimes, that is guaranteed. It is how we react to those crazy circumstances that cause you to jump from frying pan to the fire.

Wisdom is very close at hand. You have a long history of life experience where you should have learned what to do and not do. By being free of ego, you can choose the virtue of patience and then the wisdom. The Tao Te Ching is the benefit of over 4,000 years of wisdom that has been handed down to us.

Chapter 51

Tao produces them

Virtue raises them

Things shape them

Forces perfect them

Therefore all things respect the Tao and value virtue

The respect for Tao, the value of virtue

Not due to command but to constant nature

Thus Tao produces them

Virtue raises them

Grows them, educates them

Perfects them, matures them

Nurtures them, protects them

Produces but does not possess

Acts but does not flaunt

Nurtures but does not dominate

This is called Mystic Virtue

Look around in history and in life and consider some of the great spiritual sages that have their place in our memories. Notice the virtues that they shared with us. Also notice they never sought greatness, they became highly regarded anyway.

Life challenges every single one of in some unique way. When we emulate mystic virtue we are opening the door and discovering our true path. This spiritual virtue is in most ways beyond our understanding, yet we can appreciate life and its many mysteries without becoming lost to distraction. We can actually choose our path and most importantly we can choose our true path. Mystic virtue is the door to the true path. “mystery of mysteries, the door to all wonders” (Chapter 1 Tao Te Ching).