Category: Taoism
-
Misconceptions about Wu Wei
When Westerners are confronted with Taoism, they react at first with surprise, then with scepticism, and finally, with total disbelief. They are particularly intrigued by Wu Wei, the non-action principle that constitutes one of the pillars of the Taoist philosophy. How can we get more things done by working less, they wonder. It is impossible…
-
How to practise Wu Wei
The habit of running away from danger has served me well-being for decades. The problem, however, is detecting danger sufficiently in advance. Chances are that, if we are exhausted, distracted or asleep, we won’t be able to see the train coming. I am afraid that the ability to sniff danger before it’s too late requires…
-
Taoism on patience and persistence
Neither patience nor persistence are regarded as virtuous in Taoism. Lao-Tzu would have been puzzled by people who wait for a long time for something good to happen when all signs are pointing in the opposite direction. Similarly, Yang-Tzu would never have persisted on a course of action that, time and again, has proven counterproductive.…
-
The Tao Te Ching for modern life
Taoism is ancient in its method, but modern in its mentality. It correctly assumes that happiness can only be achieved if we make good decisions. Let me underline that it calls for “good decisions,” not “perfect decisions.” Either in terms of accuracy or timing, “good” will do from the Tao Te Ching’s standpoint. I categorize…
-
Lao-Tzu’s teachings on leadership
Taoism presents an advanced leadership model that revolves around Wu Wei (the non-action principle). Instead of exerting pressure, Taoism wants to clear up the path; instead of aiming at precise targets, it wants to make things run more smoothly, expecting that higher quality, revenue and profits will ensue. In Chapter 17 of the Tao Te…
-
Where Zen Buddhism and Taoism stand apart
If someone asks me why lions ignore small birds, I’ll reply, I think accurately, that lions don’t willingly ignore small birds. The correct statement would be to say that lions do not even perceive them, at least not on a level that would prompt a lion to react. Physically, lions can of course see and…
-
Differences between Taoism and Zen Buddhism
While there are superficial similarities between Taoism and Zen Buddhism, their differences are fundamental. Taoism aims at the achievement of happiness on this earth, especially for the Taoist practitioner. In contrast, the main goal of Zen Buddhism is to reduce suffering, if necessary by withdrawing from the world and taking refuge inside one’s mind. Geographically,…
-
How to live by Taoist principles
I wonder if most people regard a Taoist lifestyle as desirable or even worth living. They might read a few Lao-Tzu’s quotes, watch some martial arts movies, and meditate for five minutes, but will they devote time and energy to grasp the principles of Taoism? Moderation and humility, two key Taoist virtues, are at odds…
-
Taoist insights about social balance
Is it true that Taoists are rugged individualists that could not care less about social harmony and balance? No, that’s not true, but the question illustrates a common misunderstanding of the nature of harmony and balance. In contrast to the prevailing ideas, Taoists consider societal harmony and balance as automatic. Harmony is achieved when millions…
-
Taoism and the art of letting go
When it comes to dealing with failure and disappointments, Taoist insights are often misunderstood. They are presented as “letting go” and “forget about it,” but those formulations lack a crucial element, namely, the need to move from plan A to plan B, that is, from setbacks to recovery. In Chapter 3 of the Tao Te…
Categories
Recent Posts
- The cost of Taoist harmony
- Taoist harmony in the middle of chaos
- The hidden balance in Taoism
- Taoist views on balance and harmony
Tags
aesthetics Art of living authenticity balanced lifestyle biography Buddhism causality character development education effectiveness epistemology equanimity existentialism flourishing friendship governance happiness harmony humanism human nature intellectual pursuits justice literary style logic love and relationships moderation nature of existence peacefulness peace of mind personal growth pessimism potentiality relativism Renaissance resilience rhetoric self-discipline simple lifestyle solitude theory of the will the problem of evil Time management unconscious mind virtue wisdom