The Taoist concept of spiritual enlightenment represents the direct opposite of other philosophies. Instead of a supernatural quest, Lao-Tzu called for earthly alignment with the Tao. Instead of intoning solemn hymns, Chuang-Tzu was fond of listening to the sounds of nature; and instead of ritualistic self-chastisement, Yang-Tzu had emphasised self-protection. I would depict the Taoist…

Balance, physical and philosophical, is the Taoist recipe for mental clarity. It rests on the habit of doing things carefully and with measure, not too fast and not too slowly, not in excess and not insufficiently. In their speaking style, Taoists refrain from exaggeration, in particular when it creates false impressions, hopes or promises. Lao-Tzu…