Category: Taoism
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Taoist daily habits and rituals
In our business and private lives, simplification works well as long as we do not omit any crucial steps; and once we have identified a simple, but still workable way to do something, we can repeat the process and enjoy the results once and again. Thousands of internet pages are devoted to breaking down complex…
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Taoist metaphors about water
Flexibility and adaptability are, intellectually, modern ideas, immensely difficult to grasp for ancient and medieval minds. Even today, millions of people remain reluctant to regard each individual as master of his fate. Instead, they view one’s health, success or happiness as driven by factors outside one’s control. Although Taoism was created in the 6th century…
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Taoist history and development
The easiest way to grasp Taoist philosophy is to familiarise ourselves with its history. Lao-Tzu did not create Taoism in a vacuum, but as a solution to existing problems. I’m referring to war, poverty, famine, and the underlying societal impositions. A hostile environment prompted Lao-Tzu to conceive Wu Wei (the non-action principle) and the other…
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