There are many well-known Taoist stories where a student is following a monk along a path to some unknown destination. In this instance, the student, who has been following the monk for some time, has been becoming increasingly agitated. The monk, feeling the growing angst of his student, finally decides to inquire as to the source of his young companions’ inner turmoil.

The pair rest beneath a shade tree and the monk asks, “I have noticed a growing inner turmoil in you for some time, young student. What is troubling you?”

The student replies, “We are taught to be humble and without vanity. Is this true?”

“Yes,” replied the monk. “this is true.”

“Then why is it that you, my teacher, carries a mirror in your backpack by which to admire yourself?”

“This is what has been troubling you so deeply? The answer is simple. I carry the mirror to look at when I am faced with a problem in my life. For in it I see both the cause and the solution to my problem!”

The moral of this story is obvious. However, its’ tool as a teaching devise has taken on many meanings in my life.

I told this story to some students to teach its obvious lesson. It happened that there was a double framed mirror on the wall and one of my students went to investigate this truth. He looked into one of the mirrors and said, “I’m not so sure about the answer to my problems. I better get a second opinion!”

My first instinct was to think, “Smart Aleck!” But then it dawned on me. The undeveloped self sees itself in many ways. When we are not yet clear about who we are or what we are meant to be, we can easily be distracted by the superficial image we see in front of us.

Unfortunately, most people live an entire life with this ever-changing image of themselves. They change who they are, how they act and what they believe as easily as they change the view they have of themselves. When times are good, they see themselves as a champion. When times are bad, as a victim. They never truly work towards a stable sense of self. Working instead to belong to groups of other wayward souls, grasping at some sense of belonging in attempts to understand the condition of their life. They never put in the effort to truly understand who they are.

This deep insight is deemed unnecessary by most. They cling to leaders who tell them how they should act and what they should believe, and they do so for fear of losing connection to the group. Their individualism is extinguished. It serves as payment for mindlessly belonging. Still, others rely solely on belief in themselves. They use their intellect and individuality as sword and shield to prove their superiority over the mindless masses. A scared child defending their small swatch of land, equally without a basis for self-understanding.

Why even bother with the search for self? How will it be beneficial? Who will teach these deeper truths if leaders and teachers have ulterior motives? It may all seem futile.

But asking these questions proves its validity. The desire to look beyond the superficial teachings of others and to let down your defenses will help lead you to the proper learning. It is all around you. There are many ways to help you understand your truth. But it is your truth to understand. It may seem similar to others. We all teach each other. One method may work for you at the beginning stages, only to seem trivial as you develop. You may be in tune enough to find your way early and be content throughout a long life. It may be a never-ending journey of trial and error. To build on a cliche; it is the journey that you have chosen to take that will produce the true reward.