162 - Riding Dragons

People think that Tao can only be known through fairy-tale stories of old men in the mountains or obscure poetry about gods riding dragons. Others declare that elaborate ritual, frightening talismans, and mumblings from the depths of spirit possession are necessary for understanding. This is simply not true. Why put another's experience before your own? Tao is in each of us.
~ from 365 Tao: Daily Meditations, Entry 162 ~

While the stories of Scott Bradley contain many layers, I think the thrust of what he's trying to impart to each of us goes to the core of the above quote from Deng Ming-Dao. It is also a point I reiterate again and again in many of my posts.

Finding Tao within each of us is a personal experience. You can't find the key to unlock the door by reading the Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi or anything written on this blog and others. There is no one who possesses secret knowledge. There is no one who has greater capabilities to discover what is inside of you than...of course...you.

Others can certainly help light the way, but they can't lead us to where we each need to go. They can walk with us for a time, but when we pass through the veil of our inner being, they are forced to wait outside.

The last steps to the throne of our heart must be taken alone.