Last night I was lucky enough to attend a lecture by Nicole Daedone, the founder of OneTaste. I’ve been spending a considerable amount of time hanging around OT lately, so I was very interested to see what the founder was like.

During the first half of the lecture, Nicole explained the vision of OneTaste. Here is my take on what she said:

By being receptive to all that life has to offer and fully experiencing every moment, good or bad, we can be fully alive. As individual points of consciousness, we are the bridge between source and the material realm. The evolutionary drive of consciousness is to know itself. The more we explore and embrace life, the closer we come to reunification with source and thus, ultimate freedom. If I can delve deeply into fear, anger or hatred and know it fully, it no longer has control over me. You may be able to keep the lowest lows at bay by maintaining a constricted sphere of experience, but in doing so you also reject the highest highs. Every time I expand my circle of experience to encompass more aspects of life, I get that much closer to the Universal or God.

Furthermore, by being fully open and embracing what is I allow the Universe to work through me. Rather than constantly swimming upstream, thinking I am going to become this or that, go here or there, I can embrace my true essence and go with the flow. With the entire stream of Tao propelling me, how can I truly be hurt, alone or afraid? The Universe will do what it wishes with me regardless of my overt cooperation or awareness. I can struggle against that flow with all my might, but it will not change the course. Why not embrace it and love every minute of the ride?

Nicole also noted that there are two types of people on the path, those who hope they have found the way to enlightenment and those who know they have no choice but to persevere no matter what the cost. I almost laughed out loud because I am firmly planted in the latter camp and fully hate it. Thanks, Universe.

If you are interested in OneTaste’s philosophy, practice, or community and you live near San Francisco or New York City, I highly encourage you to stop by and check it out. I am happy to to chaperon anyone near SF. Drop me a line and let’s connect!

(If you are in the Bay Area and between the ages of 18 and 29, check out YNow, the youth division of OneTaste.)