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Taoism is not minimalism
When reading the ancient Taoist works, it is easy to conflate Lao-Tzu’s doctrines with minimalism. The same applies to the stories written by Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu. One gets a clear impression that happiness requires discarding the unnecessary, and focusing exclusively on the essentials. However, such an impression is false. Taoism does not call for renouncing…
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The most dangerous idea in modern culture
The most dangerous idea in modern culture would sound completely insane to Aristotle. I am talking about the idea that you can be anything you want. Aristotle regarded the idea of random potential as nonsense. Over 2,300 years ago, Aristotle asked a question that still divides people today: Does everything have a true nature? He…
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The biggest lie you tell yourself every day
The biggest lie you tell yourself every day is that you’re thinking rationally, but in reality, you are not as logical as you think. Arthur Schopenhauer, one of history’s most crucial thinkers, argued that most of our decisions are not driven by logic. They are driven by something that he called “the Will”, an irrational…
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Taoist accuracy in daily life
Most philosophical doctrines prove unrealistic, unworkable, or irrelevant when we apply them to tangible problems. I have no use for philosophical ideals that do not help me improve my life. The proof of fire for any philosophical ideas is whether they enable us to assess situations accurately and solve problems. If those ideas fail to…
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Taoist smoothness in daily life
Smoothness is a synonym for a Taoist lifestyle. It enables us to get things done with absolute minimum effort. Similarly, the Tao Te Ching shows us how to steer away from trouble, focus on the essentials, and enjoy our days to the maximum. Lao-Tzu’s teachings are meant for people who want to lead a smooth…
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How to apply Taoism in daily life
It takes a long time to become a Taoist, but it’s also possible to draw immediate benefits from Taoism. We can benefit right away from applying its principles even if we do not understand all their ramifications. I have witnessed how some people improved their situation practically overnight by applying Lao-Tzu’s insights. I believe that…
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The cost of Taoist harmony
Peace of mind is great, but not at the expense of losing our savings, job, reputation, friends and family relationships. Can we afford to practise Lao-Tzu’s philosophy? Is it really worth it to seek balance and harmony? The images of Zen monastic poverty are not appealing to the Western mind. Asceticism may look cool in…
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Taoist harmony in the middle of chaos
I feel sympathy for people who question the practicability of Taoism nowadays. They find it difficult to believe that one can achieve harmony in the middle of chaos. I mean economic, financial, environmental, social and other types of chaos. Is it possible to apply Lao-Tzu’s ideas in those situations? Yes, it is possible, but only…
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The hidden balance in Taoism
When analysing setbacks, Westerners will immediately look for patterns to avoid in the future. If an employee suffers from excessive stress, was he leading a balanced life? If his back is hurting, is it because he had adopted an unbalanced posture? In his works “Nicomachean Ethics” and “Eudemian Ethics,” Aristotle (384-322 BC) had called for…
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Taoist views on balance and harmony
When Taoists speak about balance and harmony, they mean something different than what Westerners understand. They do not mean symmetry, proportion or equality. Nor do they mean stability, permanence or predictability. Indeed, the Taoist concept of balance and harmony means, first and foremost, alignment with natural law. It means that, if we let things operate…
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Recent Posts
- Taoism is not minimalism
- The most dangerous idea in modern culture
- The biggest lie you tell yourself every day
- Taoist accuracy in daily life
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