THE SOVEREIGN

Being the sovereign is an important concept in the Tao. It is referenced many times in the Tao Te Ching, and it means having power over yourself, as well as being independent and self-sufficient.

Think of yourself as the monarch of your internal state. The capabilities of your mind are your loyal subjects. You have absolute authority over them. Governing them effectively is the goal of Tao cultivation.

Regardless of external circumstances, your control of the internal state is absolute. As events happen in life, you always have a choice in the meaning you assign to them. Wise governance means choosing the most empowering and energizing meaning to advance your spiritual growth.

The Tao Today

If you find yourself feeling depressed, think about who rules your internal world. Who can it be, if not you? You may be feeling depressed because you have neglected to wield your power to determine the meaning of a particular event. Perhaps a temporary defeat has caused you to blame yourself.

Assert your right to rule as the sovereign. Rewrite the meaning of the event. What the setback really means is that you have more work to do. Rally your loyal subjects into action. Your command is your birthright.

The Tao of Joy Every Day

~ Derek Lin