Inner Peace and Conviction by Dr. Andre Muhammad

In the 12th verse of the Tao Te Ching, Lao-Tzu elaborates on fact that humans often tend to rely too much on the five human senses. More pointedly, humans tend to allow the majority of their attention to be given to the experiences and pleasures of these five senses as compared to focusing on the experiences and pleasures of the inner soul. Consequently, an overemphasis on the five senses results in people becoming trapped in an illusionary world, as material matter comes and goes.

Further, we should understand that the material world, as majestic as it may appear, is only the creation. A deeper and possibly much more rewarding experience would be to attempt to contemplate the creator behind that which has been created.

On another note, the Tao reminds us that overreliance on sight, touch, taste, smell, and hearing causes one to become trapped in what Lao-Tzu refers to as "the chase." "The chase" is what has most denizens of the planet unhappy and unable to obtain the contentment which many proclaim that they seek. The constant chase to obtain more and more is perpetual in that particpants are rarely able to achieve a degree of satisfaction.

In fact, the few who are able to obtain a substantive degree of contentment are those who have been able to transcend the domain of the five senses and, instead, lock into cultivation of the inner soul and conviction.

Peace and blessings!