Don't think you can attain total awareness and whole enlightenment without proper discipline and practice. This is egomania. Appropriate rituals channel your emotions and life energy toward the light. Without the discipline to practice them, you will tumble constantly backward into darkness.

To lead people, walk behind them.

Happiness perches on misery. Misery crouches beneath happiness.

Only he who does not seek to be ahead of others is capable of living in harmony with everyone.

Tao in the world is like a river flowing home to the sea.

As for the "proper way:" it is the beginning of disorder.

When you find the way/ others will find you./ Passing by on the road/ they will be drawn to your door./ The way that cannot be heard/ will be echoed in your voice./ The way that cannot be seen/ will be reflected in your eyes.