On Exploring Spirituality

So believe it our not, I've actually been keeping up with some of my resolutions for this year. I told myself I needed to start finding out what I truly believe.
 In less than a month i'm going to be nineteen and i'm still quite bewildered at the thoughts of faith. I don't know if it's a common struggle but I don't think I've ever had a time in my life where I've felt completely assured in my own beliefs.  

I used to be a sort of  a Descartes of faith 'I am therefore I believe'. I know now that that really isn't the way to go about faith. People often tell me you can't be de-la-carte about religion but what I find to be important in respect to my life is up to me and if I don't believe an aspect of a certain philosophy or religion i'm not going to pretend that I do. 

I was taught to question and so now i'm on the quest for answers.

I've been exploring the wondrous world of spirituality as of late and I'm actually quite enjoying it. I found myself meandering through the works of ancient Chinese philosophers .They're beyond fascinating!! I skimmed through chapters after chapter of the Tao Te Ching and caught myself watch videos about the life of Lao Tzu. The valued qualities of stillness and balance of traditional Chinese Taoism baffles me. Those two words are quite foreign among the hectic madness of my daily life. I'm challenging myself to find a mixture of Ying and Yang in my own routine. Never exceed in too much of anything, don't work too hard, don't worry too much, don't lounge too long, be neutral. Tai Chi has been a peculiar experience. I never really knew what it was. The sound of it reminded me of monks on the top of a hill moving in the breeze although I won't deny that I find that solace landscape aesthetically pleasing because monks are abundant in the peace that I crave for. Each Monday I harness my inner Dao (yes that's what it's called). 
Dao is like the root of energy but not a mad bouncy kind of energy but an energy that relieves you of all your discomfort and allows you to surrender to the present moment. Almost like an extended exhale after your last exam. During tai chi your release the tension in your joints and muscles and learn to listen to your body, where aches, where is flexible and where needs work, where your breath concentrates when you fill you fill your lungs. It invites you to empty your mind and let your body guide you. 

"The usefulness of a pot comes from it's emptiness" - Lao Tzu

There are so many quotes which I'd love to share and discuss with you all because honestly some of the things I've read from people like Confucius are mind blowing. They’re simple things that are so effective in helping us to adopt a more content and grateful frame of mind. 
I've been keeping a journal when I am documenting research that I think applies to my system of beliefs and stories that really resonate with my desired way of life and the practices I hope to foster in my own life. If you're like me and you're in a place right now where you're not 100% sure what it is you believe, I highly recommend going out and grabbing yourself a nifty little notebook to compile all your findings and accumulate the things that sit well with your until you've established a nice footing on where you're headed. 

I'm thinking of starting a series where I talk to you about the principles and theories of different philosophies or religions that I come across and what my take is on them. I do honestly think that there is good in all religions. You need to find what makes you happy and follow your heart. 
If you have any suggestions of where next to venture please do let me know! 

I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes from the Tao Te Ching:

"Nature rushes nothing and yet everything is accomplished"

Till next time,

Iesha