Once upon a time in ancient China, there was a builder who worked exclusively for the King. For several decades, he designed and built many houses and structures for royalty and nobility, and now he was getting ready to retire.

One day, the King summoned him to the royal court. "I understand you will soon be enjoying your well-deserved retirement, after so many years of hard work," said the King. "I have one last job for you. I want you to design the best house possible and take complete charge of the project from beginning to end. I have already picked a prime location. All you have to do is purchase the best material and hire the most experienced masons to build it. Spare no expense."

The builder saw this as an opportunity. Since he would be the only one in charge, no one would know if he took a few liberties here and there. Now that he was about to retire, this would be his last chance to make a little extra money for himself.

He requested a lavish budget from the treasury but spent only a fraction of it on lower-grade material. He also saved a lot of money on labor by hiring the least expensive workers available and rushing the project to completion. Then he reported to the King that he was done with his last job.

"Excellent!" the King was pleased. "Let us go take a look."

When they arrived on site, the builder was surprised to see all the court ministers there, admiring and commenting on his work. He wasn't worried, because he used all the tricks of the trade to make the house look good. He knew they couldn't tell the house was a low-quality construction.

The King gathered everyone together and cleared his throat: "As you all know, the builder has done great work for us over the years, and now he is ready to retire. This house, his last project, will also be his final masterpiece."

He presented the house key to the builder and announced: "The best way for me to thank him for his years of dedicated service... is to give this masterpiece to him as the perfect retirement present!"

As everyone erupted in applause, the builder stood in stunned disbelief.

When we assume mortal form and come into this world, we have a special opportunity. Just as the builder was charged with the task to build the best house possible, we have the opportunity to create the best life possible.

The physical plane is the prime location that has already been chosen. It is where we work on this opportunity. Our task is not difficult, because we bring with us the divine authorization to acquire the best resources available. We also come with the ability to direct and manage a tremendous amount of energy into the project. In short, everything we need to do the job is at hand. Our mandate is clear: Build a great life; spare no expense.

There is, however, a complication when we figure out that we are the ones in charge. Just as the builder assumed sole accountability for the construction project from beginning to end, we also have full responsibility for the life-building project from birth to death. This means we are free to design the life we want and manage the work as we see fit - a freedom that can be wonderfully exhilarating. At the same time, it also means that ultimately there is no one around to demand the best from us. There is no supervision beyond what we impose on ourselves, and that can lead to taking shortcuts or slacking off when we know we shouldn't. If no one is watching, it's no big deal, right?

This is a trap based on the illusion that we are working for someone else. When we are under the influence of this falsehood, we think about doing as little as possible to get by. Oftentimes this means focusing on crafting a presentable appearance without the substance that would require tedious work to accumulate. We create a facade, an image for others to perceive. Perhaps we study religious doctrines in order to seem pious; perhaps we correct others in order to cultivate an appearance of knowledge; perhaps we work at projecting indifference in order to show how "cool" we are.

This trap reinforces our tendency to give in to inertia or take the easy way out. Since we are only interested in looking good on the outside, it doesn't matter if we are sloppy and careless on the inside. Thus the appearance of piety may be a mask for the lack of true spiritual understanding; the assertion of knowledge may be a front for ignorant arrogance; the projection of "coolness" may be a disguise for hidden desperation.

One day, we may wake up to the realization that all this time, when we thought we were working for others, we were in fact working for ourselves. Just like the builder, when we give less of ourselves than we are truly capable of giving, we are not cheating other people – we are shortchanging ourselves.

Luckily for us, we are unlike the builder in one important way. He was about to retire, but we are still very much in the game. When we figure out that we are in fact our own boss and customer all rolled into one, we can stop sabotaging ourselves. At this level of awareness, it does not matter who may be watching us or what people may think of us. We persist in spiritual cultivation even when – or especially when – no one can see what we are doing.

The last lines from chapter 59 of Tao Te Ching illustrate this teaching clearly:

With this mother principle of power, one can be everlasting
This is called deep roots and firm foundation
The Tao of longevity and lasting vision

If we focus on the external world as most people do, the facades we build cannot last. If we direct our attention inward as Tao sages do, we connect with the principle of power.

A house that is solidly built from the inside out is truly strong and will withstand the test of time. Similarly, those who plant deep spiritual roots and set firm spiritual foundations within are also building themselves from the inside out. They possess true strength; they can be everlasting.

With the Tao to guide us, we become literally the architects of our own destiny. With the best material – love, gratitude, joy, humility – and the most experienced crew – spiritual wisdom of the sages, friends who support and inspire us – we can make that destiny a true masterpiece!

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