The Tao of Wonder Woman — Richard Kightlinger

Chapter Forty, Nothingness

“Amor vincit omnia, et nos cedamus amori. -- Love conquers all things, so we too shall yield to love” Virgil

Before there was Tao there was nothing. From nothing there came the Tao. Before being there was non-being. Everything comes from nothingness and so everything will return to nothingness. The myriad of creatures all sprang from nothingness and in time the myriad of creatures will return to nothingness. When we yield to nothingness we can move forward. In moving forward, we will return.

This message is repeated throughout the Tao. The message is the same. As we move forward in our spiritual lives we will return to the Tao. Moving forward spiritually is our action and our goal. Returning to the spiritual life is our function.

“Return is the movement of the Tao. Yielding is the way of the Tao. All things are born of being. Being is born of non-being.” *

“The movement of the Tao consists in Returning. The use of the Tao consists in softness. All things under heaven are born of the corporeal; the corporeal is born of the Incorporeal.” *

Yielding to nothingness is the difficult part. Many of us find it hard to believe that the “nothingness” or the “Incorporeal” can be spiritual. That incorporeal state is truly the spiritual idea. We build rooms and vessels, but the use of the rooms and vessels comes from the nothingness inside. In meditation we seek to empty our minds. It is in the emptiness that we are filled. Therefore, being filled can only happen when we are empty. Practicing a spiritual life asks us to empty ourselves of all negativity and positivity. The spiritual life is not all one or the other, it is a balance. The only way to find the balance is to remove or empty the parts of our lives blocking the path – blocking the way. In finding balance, physical spiritual and emotional, we can move forward. In moving forward, we will eventually return.

Whatever our spiritual goals, if we yield to them, we are asked to return to the spiritual life. To reach our goal we must yield to whatever is blocking our path. In practicing this yielding and returning that the search will be complete.

It is the same for Wonder Woman. Diana understands this spiritual axiom. To her, Love, Peace and Truth all sprang from nothingness. She was raised from the same source as Love, Peace and Truth. All her gods and family all sprang from the same source of the incorporeal. When she becomes empty, Diana will return to these principles and will be filled in new ways. She will always yield to Love, Peace and Truth.

“I’m not going to fight you, Darkseid I come with LOVE – no, not for you – but rather for my father and half-siblings you murdered. My blood. That shared blood – that energy – is a connection. I want them to know I love them. I want them to feel me. And if I can connect – if my love is bright and true…I can draw them out.” *

* Tao Teh Ching, A New English Version, translated by Stephen Mitchell, Harperenial Modern Classics, Harper CollinsPublishers, 1988

*Tao The Ching, Lao Tzu, Translated by John C.H. Wu, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London 2003

* “Amazons, Attacked Finale” Part 5 of 5, Wonder Woman #45 June 2018, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-One, Three Scholars

“The great scholar hearing the Tao will practice it. The middling scholar hearing the Tao sometimes has it, sometimes not. The lesser scholar hearing the Tao has a good laugh. Without laughter it wouldn’t be the Tao. Therefore, these saying: The bright road seems dark, the road forward seems to retreat, the level road seems rough. Great Te seems hollow. Great purity seems sullied. Pervasive Te seems deficient. Established Te seems furtive. Simple truths seem to change. The great square has no corners. The great vessel is finished late. The great sound is scarcely voiced. The great image has no form. Tao hides, no name. Yet, Tao alone gets things done.” *

Like many religious or spiritual practices, the Tao is often admired, often misunderstood, and often made fun of with laughter. But those who practice a spiritual life understand the rigorous discipline that entails practicing a spiritual life. What would a spiritual life be without laughter? What would a spiritual life be without questioning or doubting the path? What would the spiritual life be without one day reaching a plateau of understanding? It is OK to laugh at these practices, or to not fully understand them. The goal of a spiritual life is to reach a state of comfort, understanding, peace, joy, happiness. They reach a plateau of faith. Even if that faith is in another person.

“He who questions training only trains himself at asking questions.” The Sphinx *

Therefore, the Tao Te Ching seems to speak in riddles. This is for interpretation. There are many translations of the Tao and each one is free to separate interpretation. Each reader of the Tao can interpret the meaning as they see fit. The Tao allows for freedom. All that is need is to follow the spiritual path. The successful scholar will practice diligently – never getting lost or distracted. Sometimes the practice can become rigid. The intermediate scholar will seem fluid in their practice and can easily be distracted but they will find their back and continue the path. The beginning scholar doesn’t even know there is a path. They will question every signpost and will try to form their own path.

“That’s it, Steve! LOVE! Hatred won’t win this –violence – But love just might!” *

Again, we are reminded of Diana’s mission. As a scholar Diana continues to practice and learn. She never strays from her path. She never gets lost from spiritual path. Mission for her is clear and strong. Any scholar dutifully practicing will find roadblocks, but it is the practice that is important. It is the mission – the goal that is important, that needs to be the focus.

Diana’s goal is Love, Truth and Peace for all people. She never falters from her mission. These are the signposts on her path. These are the stones on her path. Keeping your eye on the path. Diligently practicing but being fluid enough to laugh at ones’ self is the key to a spiritual lifestyle.

*Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London, 2007

* “Mystery Men”, Universal Pictures, Dark horse Entertainment, Release date 1999

* “Amazons, Attacked Finale” Part 5 of 5, Wonder Woman #45 June 2018, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-Two, One Produces Two

“Sometimes, one fighter is all it takes – or hadn’t you noticed? *

Diana understands that many people need her protection. But she also has the power to rally her sisters together and continue the movement forward. She knows who she is and has reached harmony within herself. With that harmony reached she can connect to people and people naturally flock to her. The Love she holds in side herself attracts others to her as well. Sharing the Truth with people will attract others to her. The need of Peace will also attract others to Diana. In that sense one will become two and two will become three and so on until there is a community of Love, Peace, and Truth. A community of Harmony.

“Power without self-control tears a girl to pieces.” *

Wonder Woman understands the use of power. She seeks harmony for that reason. Harmony can only be found with Balance (physical, spiritual, and emotional balance). If she did not seek Balance, there would be no control and she would cause more havoc in the lives of the people she’s sworn to protect. She would lose her mission. Diana achieved this balance through being truly feminine but nurturing the masculine nature that resides within her.

“I can make bad men good and weak women strong!” *

The villains she fights often call themselves by names that confuse the victims (Queen of Fables, Granny Goodness). But they also use these names to produce hatred within themselves. She finds all villains dislike themselves or have issues that cause them to lose self-control. Diana finds the means to find the goodness or truth within the villain. It is in this moment that she brings the evildoer to justice.

“The Tao gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things. All things have their backs to the female and stand facing the male. When male and female combine all things achieve harmony. Ordinary men hate solitude. But the master makes use of it., embracing his aloneness, realizing he is one with the whole universe.” *

The universe, the earth and man all began from nothing. From that nothingness began all that we know. It was in that solitude of nothingness that one became two; two became three; and three became the myriad that we know. All things carry the Yin and Yang. All things embrace the Darkness and the Light. Through the spiritual practices we find Harmony and Balance (physical, spiritual and emotional balance). It is important to find Balance within ourselves for if we do not have Balance or Harmony within there will not be Balance or Harmony through the world. One of the best places to begin seeking balance is to begin at nothingness. Knowing and realizing that we all began at the same place the universe began. We easily see that we are all the same.

Those that have problems with this refer to themselves as worthless, lonely, or lowly. They use these to separate themselves from the world to continue the feelings of negativity. But those that practice a spiritual life will take these feelings of worthlessness, loneliness or lowliness and grow spiritually. What we think we will become. Every thought is a building block for who we will become. Through the spiritual practice they will find ways to connect positively. Find ways to connect to others and that we all have the same negative feelings, and we can use them to find the positive by connecting to each other. In our solitude we are one with the universe.

“A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks he becomes.” Mahatma Gandhi

* “Paradise Burning”, Wonder Woman: Forgotten Legends, published by DC Comics, 2018. Originally published in magazine form Wonder Woman #318, DC Comics, Aug 1984

* “The Unbound Amazon” Sensation comics #19 July 1943, DC Comics

* Tao Teh Ching, A New English Version, translated by Stephen Mitchell, Harperenial Modern Classics, Harper CollinsPublishers, 1988

Chapter Forty-Three, Gentlest and Refreshing

"The softest in the world Surpasses the hardest in the world. What has no substance Can penetrate what has no opening. Thereby I know the value of non-action. The value of teaching without words and accomplishing without action Is understood by few in the world." *

The beautiful Grand Canyon was created by a simple stream of water. The magnificent rock formations of the Canary Islands were created by water. It took thousands of years to create these but the gentlest and refreshing was able to create these out of stone. This lesson can be used by people as well. When we take time to sit and listen or reflect or just sit in silence, we find answers. When we sit in calmness and stillness, we find solutions or avoid trouble. In confrontations we take a gentle approach so we can get our message across. Will it take longer to achieve our goals or to finally be heard… probably, but this the peaceful route to take.

It is not our way to be silent and calm. We would prefer to have a tsunami ravaging the beach to get our point across. But what causes the tsunami? An earthquake creating underwater landslides or a volcano erupting and the water attempting to fill the space created or to push back from the eruptions. Both earthquakes and volcanoes, are metaphors for anger. We as humans react with anger. A truly spiritual person will find the way to react with peace and tranquility.

“Within yourself is a stillness, a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.” Herman Hess

Diana knows the power of calm and stillness. Yes, she fights and yes, she can be a tsunami ravaging a beach. But she can also be like water. Her ravages are caused by villains and Wonder Woman is pushing back and trying to protect innocents. Remember her mission is Love, Peace and Truth. She will protect and serve. Her first reaction is always the hand of peace. Then she will seek the truth to find a solution. At the end there is always love. She will offer love to all. She is at her most powerful when she is calm and peaceful. The solution will come, and the battle will be won when Diana turns to her true power…Love.

“That’s it, Steve! LOVE! Hatred won’t win this – violence – but LOVE just might.” *

*Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained, Lao Tzu (author) Stefan Stenudd (author), Arriba (February 6, 2011)

* “Amazons, Attacked Finale” Part 5 of 5, Wonder Woman #45 June 2018, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-Four, Gain or Loss

"It’s not beyond you, Jason. You just need the right person with you. I’m here now. We’ll face these dark gods together." *

Diana has no worries for entering a battle alone. She will fight and fight even if she is the last one standing. The Love she holds in her heart makes her strong. Her missions of Truth, Justice and Peace gives her strength. But when she stands with comrades her strength is more powerful. What she holds dearer than all her gifts, her armor, her wealth, and power is her love. To Diana Love, Truth and Peace are the greatest gifts. There more she depends on her gifts and armor the greater her loss. But when she stands with Love the greater her victory.

“You have to fire at me. My Love, yours together…will be our way to victory.” *

We open ourselves the same way. Which is more important, gain or loss? Which causes more pain, gain or loss? Which causes more destruction, gain or loss? These questions can be answered personally or on a global point of view. Do we want fame or power? Do we want comfort or peace? Addiction attracts heavy losses. Hoarding and wealth can create fear and worry. The more we have the greater the need to work and the need to control.

Those that practice a spiritual life find that there are times that enough is enough. The greatest ease comes when we realize enough is enough. The spiritual practice teaches that the universe will provide and all we must do is accept the gift. Nowhere in any spiritual practice are we asked to be so poor and hungry that we cannot find comfort and peace. If we are so poor, we cannot help our fellow neighbor then something is wrong spiritually. There are different ways to help our neighbors than giving food, clothing, and money. Following the same idea, we are not asked to be so wealthy that all we do is amass more wealth, more power or more fame.

The key here is to remember Balance (physical, spiritual, and emotional). The spiritual life is asking us to find the Balance between comfort, peace, and love. When we have found enough is enough to live comfortably and peacefully with still enough to give lovingly to our neighbors then we have reached a spiritual plateau.

“Name or body: which is closer? Body or possessions: which means more? Gain or loss: which one hurts? Extreme love exacts a great price. Many possessions entail heavy loss. Know what is enough – Abuse nothing. Know when to stop – Harm nothing. This is how to last a long time.” *

* “The Dark Gods” Part 3, Wonder Woman #48, August 2018, DC Comics

* “Love is Lost” “Wonder Woman, The Dark Gods” Part 4, Wonder Woman Annual #2, August 2018, DC Comics

*Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London, 2007

Chapter Forty-Five, The Greatest

"The most complete seems lacking. Yet in use it is not exhausted. The most abundant seems empty. Yet in use it is not drained. The most straight seems curved. The most able seems clumsy. The most eloquent seems to stutter. Movement overcomes cold. Stillness overcomes heat. Peace and quiet govern the world." *

The Tao Te Ching is about finding Balance and Serenity. To find peace we must at times do things that are new and difficult. Sometimes it takes much practice to succeed. We take the time we need. We are hesitant and unsure of our progress. Therefore, we fall, we stammer, we are awkward but when we do things for the right reasons – balance and serenity there is always enough energy and enough time.

For some of us that practice a spiritual life we can find a connection to nature. There is always a beautiful sunset to contemplate, beautiful scenery to paint or an interesting flower to inspire. Look at the Grand Canyon. It took thousands of years for that tiny stream to dig out the majestic scenery. It takes the light from stars billions of years to reach us for those breath-taking starlit nights. The most beautiful trees are gnarled and curved. When a cheetah starts a run, the beginning looks clumsy and erratic but as the cat gains speed the stride becomes sleek, fast, and determined. A morning dove’s call in the early daylight is often disturbing at first but as the cooing continues it becomes soothing and welcoming.

Many operas had rewrites and changes before the final score was completed. The Louisiana painter, Clementine Hunter, started painting after her fiftieth birthday. Skill can come in the later years. A successful spiritual life takes practice and time.

Hot and cold nurture each other. Long and short describe each other. Light and dark connect each other. It is when we take the time to see this and practice this balance that we can find a peaceful and serene spiritual life.

“Flowers are an easy, eloquent expression of love at a time when words can seem clumsy and inadequate.” Lynn Coady

“I’m not clumsy, I’m accident prone!” Daniel Radcliffe

When Steve Trevor crashed on Paradise Island, the Amazons had been there for thousands of years. Diana was trained by the greatest of Amazons. She had read the books of the ancient philosophers. She did this all before she even met Steve Trevor. Even after winning the contest and being awarded the ambassador to the outside world Diana found she still was not ready. She continued to practice her skills and grow where needed. She stayed true to herself and her mission. Eventually she grew into the hero that became the Wonder Woman the world knows and love.

What Diana brought from Themyscira, Paradise Island, is love. With her love she inspires males and females to seek a better life. A life of peace, truth, and love.

“I hold no hate in my heart for you…only pity and love. A love made one hundred-fold by my sisters around me. Do you hear me Karnell…? I LOVE YOU!” *

*Tao Te Ching: The Taoism of Lao Tzu Explained, Lao Tzu (author) Stefan Stenudd (author), Arriba (February 6, 2011)

* “Love is Lost” “Wonder Woman, The Dark Gods” Part 4, Wonder Woman Annual #2, August 2018, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-Six, Enough

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough”- Oprah Winfrey

There is a time for us to be at peace. At these times everything seems to be easy, and we are content. Mistakes are made, and accidents can happen, but these changes never cause harm. When we are not at peace every situation seems difficult. There are problems and solutions never seem to come easy. We fuss fight and complain. There seems to be a dark cloud over us and there is not a light at the end of the tunnel.

While in this darkness there is no contentment, there is only jealousy and impatience. No one does what we ask, and we must do things ourselves. We will roll up our sleeves and force people to do what we want and make them follow our path. It seems we are at war with everyone around us. Everything seems difficult and out of control.

These are the times to deepen our spiritual practice. We must push further along. This is the time to practice good manners. Yes, of course, stand-up for ourselves but remember to focus on the spiritual principles not our desires. Our fear of not having enough or getting enough is what causes our problems. To be content we recognize when enough is enough. We can push ourselves away from the table, sated but not full.

“When a nation follows the Tao, strong horses are used to haul manure. When a nation ignores the Tao, war horses are pastured on the public common. There is no sin greater than desire. There is no misfortune greater than discontent. There is no calamity greater than greed. To follow the Tao is to know contentment.” *

For Diana, on paradise island, it is easy to know contentment. Everyone is at peace. Everyone is equal. Yes, she is seen as the princess of the Amazons, but she will work in the fields, train to be a warrior and study in the library with her fellow sisters. It is when Diana comes to Patriarch’s World that she sees the greed and discontent of the world. She sees that it is fear that causes the conflicts she gets pulled into.

Diana has learned to listen to her spiritual practices. She returns to her mission and practices those rules she sets for herself. The reason she keeps the Lasso of Truth on her body is to remain connected to her truth. This way she uses the truth deep within to remind her that greed is only fear. Fear leads to discontent. Diana knows that the power of love will always be greater that fear.

“Bonds of love never make the wearer weaker – they give him greater strength!” *

*Tao Teh Ching, The Book of the Way, by Lao Tzu, translated by Dwight Goddard (1919), revised and edited by Sam Torode, Ancient Renewal, Middleton Delaware, 2015

* “The Saga of Girls Under the Sea” Sensation Comics #35 November 1942, featuring Wonder Woman

Chapter Forty-Seven, Within

“Without going out of your door, you can know the ways of the world. Without peeping through your window, you can see the Way of Heaven. The farther you go, the less you know. Thus, the Sage knows without travelling, sees without looking, and achieves without Ado.” *

The Tao is accurate. We can learn all that we need to know by going inside. Going deep within ourselves can we learn. It is when we open our doors that we get involved and find things that “need” to be completed. Looking out the window we see what we don’t have and what we desire. Does this mean we should all become recluses and only live for ourselves, never becoming involved with our neighbors?

No! We are practicing a spiritual life. Thus, we must learn and grow. What better way to grow than doing our jobs and performing the tasks that need to be done. The Tao is also correct in the more we travel the less we know. The more answers are given the more questions are asked. However, if we are truly practicing this spiritual life we will continue to go within – deep within that spiritual self where there is no need to walk through the doors, look out the windows or ask those questions. in practicing a spiritual life there is no need to make people listen or make people perform tasks. All is achieved in that quiet space. There are no doors or windows. That quiet space is fathomless. That quiet space is immense. There is no way that the quiet space will overflow. All that is needed is there.

Each person will perceive the quiet space as they perceive their own spiritual life. Therefore, the quiet space may be a white space full of light or a silent dark space. Space could be the vast horizon with an endless sunset. The spiritual pilgrim’s quiet space could the endless universe they traverse freely and openly. The different perceptions are personal for each person.

“It’s not about ‘deserve’. It’s about what you believe. And I believe in Love.” *

“I certainly understand the power of Comfort.” *

Diana’s perception of her quiet space would be a space of loving comfort. There is no way to understand or know how any one person will perceive their quiet space. Even if they can explain it the words will only describe the basic ideas. The safety, comfort, serenity cannot fully be described. But we do know this, those people that meditate daily are affected by the practice. Therefore, Diana seeks Truth, Peace, and Love. Therefore, in her meditations she will find Truth, Peace, and Love. To the outward world she will express Love, Peace, and Truth.

* Tao The Ching, Lao Tzu, Translated by John C.H. Wu, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London 2003

* “Wonder Woman”, Warner Bros., DC Entertainment, Dir. Patty Jenkins, Release date June 2, 2017

* “Wonder Woman: Spirit of Truth”, November 2001, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-Eight, Diminish

“There are two ways of being happy: we must either diminish our wants or augment our means – either may do – the result is the same and it is for each man to decide for himself and to do that which happens to be easier.” Benjamin Franklin

We have a choice whether to be happy or not. We can choose to seriously seek those things we desire. Growing more frantic when our desires do not arrive. In practicing a spiritual life all that we need is given and we find that our needs are our desires. What we need will be given without much effort. To give into our desires we set ourselves up to desire more. Then when we do not achieve our desires we roll up our sleeves and begin forcing people to reach our expectations. When we focus upon our spiritual life there is no reason to force people to do what is needed.

For those that are beginning to practice spiritually may be saying, “but what about my desires? They are important to me. I deserve to all I want.” We are all worthy of all the happiness coming our way. Which would be a better state to live in a calm state of mind or a frantic mind always worrying about getting this and that completed. We have a choice.

“Ho who gives himself to studies, each day increases (his information). He who gives himself to the Way, each day diminishes (his desires). He diminishes them continually until he attains non-action. When he has attained non-action, all things are possible for him. Through non-action he becomes master of the kingdom. He who follows action cannot become master of the kingdom.” *

The Tao is clear. The more we seek knowledge the more we need to know. The more we desire the more we want. We begin to forget about a spiritual life, and we begin reaching and grabbing all that we desire, and life becomes hectic. Nothing is at peace, and everything seems out of control. There are those that will read this literally and think the spiritual life is asking us to stop drinking, stop enjoying late night snacks, stop smoking or even stop having sex. This is not true.

Practicing a spiritual life means getting to a point where our needs are in conjunction with our spiritual beliefs. We are meant to diminish the worries and frustrations. We may be asked to set bottom lines, but this is only to help prepare us for the spiritual awakening or a spiritual fulfillment. We may find that work cannot be done at home. That the amount spent on cigarettes cost more than the food we need eat. Then the drinking may ruin relationships we need with our children. That is when the spiritual life would ask us to look at what is causing pain, suffering and worry in our lives. The spiritual would be asking to let those go.

It is when we are at peace in our spiritual life that we are calm in our daily lives. When we have diminished our worries and frustrations, we find a calm comes over is. We think more positively. Our actions are more just and kind. There will be room for the good to enter our lives. We hear these words often, “a positive attitude will bring positive results.” This is what a spiritual life teaches. We find there is nothing to be controlled, nothing to be forced. Our needs and desires are in conjunction with our spiritual life, and all is in a state of positive results.

“But now right now – right now…this isn’t how I am. Dark and forlorn. I’ll look ahead. Beyond. Yes. I’ll look to tomorrow.” *

Diana practices a positive attitude. Does Diana have desires? Of course, we all do. But does she need to be in Stephen Trevor’s presence every waking moment? Does she need to know his feelings for her? She seeks to align herself with her spiritual beliefs first. She seeks Truth, Justice, Peace, and Love. The more time she spends in pursuit of her mission the more quality time she has with Stephen Trevor. Practicing her spiritual life, her needs and desires become aligned with the spiritual practice. Diana finds that the relationship between Stephen and herself is more meaningful. She keeps that positive attitude. The love she and Stephen have for each other is a direct result of her spiritual practices. Remember Love is important to Diana’s beliefs and mission. So, Love would come into her life in different ways.

“Love ever played a grand part in the dance between gods and humankind. It would be well for us not to forget that.” *

*The Tao Te Ching Lao Tzu’s Book of The Way and of Righteousness, Lao Tzu (author), Translation & Commentary by Charles Johnston, Serialized in Theosophical Quarterly, 1921-23, Kshetra Books, By Jon w. Fergus, 2016

* “Wonder Woman, The Dark Gods” Finale, Wonder Woman Annual #50, September 2018, DC Comics

* “Chapter One: Summoning’s” Love is Lost” The Brave and Bold: Batman & Wonder #1 of 6, April 2018, DC Comics

Chapter Forty-Nine, Trust, and Goodness

“Diana, if there’s one thing you’ve taught me, it’s that it’s not what you’re made of…it’s how you use it.” *

What makes Diana, Wonder Woman, is not her strength, power, abilities, or gifts. What makes Diana, Wonder Woman, is how she treats people. She treats everyone equally. The normal person on the street is treated with the same compassion and comfort as any superhero. Even supervillains are treated with compassion and comfort. Diana would be willing to help any person that needed the help. the love Diana holds in her heart for all people is what makes Diana, Wonder Woman. Love is Diana’s greatest weapon.

“Life in patriarch’s world has not been entirely devoid of companionship. I’ve encountered many noble souls…sisters … and brothers whose hearts are as fierce and beautiful as those of the most noble Amazons.” *

There are those that would say Diana’s naivety can get her into trouble. However, in teaching Love to the world there has got to be some naivety. It is important to accept all people for who they are and to seek the nobility in every person. We all have the same emotions and feelings. Some of us are trustworthy and some of us fail at trustworthiness but we each deserve to be trusted. We each deserve to be loved. Diana understands this. She understands that we all start out good and because of choices made from fear, anger, or ignorance we are often seen as untrustworthy or bad. Therefore, she begins by sharing the hand of peace first. All are treated firstly as good. Because of her actions, Diana, Wonder Woman, is seen as a force of good.

Therefore, in the broader sense Diana seeks the same that we seek – to be loved, trusted and good. Being able to share love, trust, and goodness openly with others makes her Wonder Woman. We see Wonder Woman as an Ambassador of Love, Truth, and Peace. We try to live up to these standards.

“The Sage has no set heart. Ordinary people’s hearts become the Sage’s heart. People who are good I treat well. People who are not good I also treat well: Te as goodness. Trustworthy people I trust. Untrustworthy people I also trust: Te as trust. Sages create harmony under heaven blending their hearts with the world. Ordinary people fix their eyes and ears on them, but the Sages become the world’s children.” *

With that said, the person practicing a spiritual life will seek to be better than their fellows but to be one with the community. Practicing their spiritual principles at the same time. All people in the community are equal and no one is left out. The strongest communities are those that accept each other as the same respectfully no matter the differences – race, creed, gender or sexual orientation. Because all people are the children of the world, all people are welcomed into the community.

* “A Piece of You” Part 2 of 2, Wonder Woman #161 October 2000, DC Comics

* “Three Hearts” Part 1 of 2, Wonder Woman #154, March 2000, Dc Comics

*Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu, translated by Stephen Addiss and Stanley Lombardo, Shambhala Publications, Boston & London, 2007