VI. WHAT IMPACT DOES RECEIVIG TAO HAVE ON ME

As we mentioned before, unlike the old days when hermits had to leave their families to receive Tao through meditation and self-cultivation, Tao, at the present time, can be received in a way that's applicable and conforming to our practical needs. We don't have to give up our life style in order to attain Tao. By the grace of God, Tao is intended to be delivered to the public at all levels of occupations and around the world, rather than being limited to a privileged group of people.

The impacts that receiving Tao can have on our daily life are summarized as the following:
A. Receiving Tao creates no conflicts with any religions.
Tao governs the universe including all human beings. It existed before the formation of any religions. It is concordant with all religions, in the sense that religions preach the awareness of conscience and the pursuit of the truth. We don't need to give up our religion in order to receive Tao. On the contrary, by receiving Tao, we will have further understanding of the truth.
B. Conscience becomes our ultimate guidance.
Due to the variations of cultures, customs, background, legislation, and value systems, it is difficult to find a universal guideline for all of us to follow in our daily life. In receiving Tao, the main commandment is to act by our conscience, the true self, rather than by literature. We should be sensitive to the conscience, rather than be familiar with the laws.
C. We will voluntarily keep the promises made while receiving Tao.
Through receiving Tao, we are not offered conscience or true self, but merely the opening of the door to wisdom and mercy. Therefore, we restore the heavenly principles inherent in us, and strengthen the power originating from our conscience. There is no external force that makes us keep the promises and commitments that we made while we receiving Tao. The only force comes from the guilty feelings that result from our misbehaviors, which reduces the mistakes we make.
D. Practicing Tao can accommodate our worldly affairs.
The fulfillment of practicing Tao and conscientious awareness does not have to be accomplished in a temple or church. It id not required to abandon worldly belongings or relationships in order to attain the ultimate truth. Each individual can still have his/her family, career, and schooling at the same time. As long as we keep in mind the basic guideline we should have our conscience, at any moment, in any occasion, we are practicing Tao and getting closer to our divine self.

E. We will make a better world by improving ourselves first.
After we receive Tao, by realizing the true self and what we are, the feeling of joy comes to us. The improvements on the quality of our spiritual life will affect people surrounding us. By interacting and working together in Tao, we will make the world better with lower crime rate and less pollution. The wise of Maitreya will finally come true -- to turn the world into God's kingdom and make people all live in harmony.

 

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