很多年前，在某一次结束后，有一位信士阿姨问我：“小道长，你为什么要当道士啊？”我也不知道哪里来的倔脾气，听到这个问题后的第一反应竟然是觉得这位阿姨似乎在质疑我的选择。于是我带着些微的愠气回答说：“为了学东西啊！”

“学什么？”对方又问。

我说：“学经书。比如《道德经》，比如《易经》。”此时的我，几乎已经完全相信我说出口的这几部经典是她根本就没有听过、读过的内容。（当然，这只是我的主观臆断）

在我满以为阿姨会对我这样的“道人”表示出或崇拜或敬佩的表情时，她却给了我终极一问，说：“我知道你说的这些经书，都是很重要并且很有价值的，也是值得我们一辈子学习的。”（此时，我心里已经有些窃喜了，甚至开始为自己是一名“道人”感到荣光）

但是，这些经书在家里也可以学习啊。那你为什么要当道士呢？

I was taken aback, and only then did I realize that my so-called "learning" was nothing more than the basic skills required of a Daoist, skills that anyone interested in Daoist studies could learn. This couldn't be considered as the reason why I became a Daoist.

As I pondered this question, it dawned on me that the true purpose of my journey as a Daoist wasn't just about learning techniques or mastering certain practices. It was about understanding the deeper meaning behind these rituals and philosophies, and how they related to our daily lives.

My answer to her question changed over time. When I first started out on this path, my reasons were largely superficial – drawn by the allure of ancient texts and mysterious rituals. But as I delved deeper into my studies, something shifted within me. My desire for knowledge gave way to a deeper quest for self-discovery.

Why did I become a Daoist? The answer isn't simple or straightforward; it's not just about studying scriptures or mastering techniques. It's about seeking wisdom in life through spiritual practice. It's an ongoing process of self-refinement and personal growth – one that requires patience, dedication, and resilience.

The essence of being a Daoist lies not in following rigid rules or dogmatic beliefs but in cultivating inner awareness through contemplation and introspection. In other words, we seek harmony with nature by harmonizing our own inner world – aligning ourselves with universal principles such as balance (yin-yang), unity (wǔxíng), flexibility (jiǎo yìng), humility (qián xìng), non-action (wú wéi) etc., which is reflected in our actions towards others & society at large.

This transformation can only occur when one is willing to embrace change gracefully while remaining steadfastly rooted in their core values like compassion & empathy towards all beings; which ultimately leads us back home - where we always have been since birth: within Nature itself!