I find it understandable and healthy that people question if it is feasible to live today according to ancient Taoist philosophy. Indeed, Lao-Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching in the 6th century BC, and the other two great ancient Taoist masters, Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu lived in the 4th and 3rd century respectively. Scepticism is justified,…

We can be sure that Lao-Tzu never had to face the problems of a highly complex society. I’m talking about macro-economic shifts, mass migration, inflation, unemployment, bank runs and credit ratings, just to mention a few. Nor was Lao-Tzu ever confronted with bankruptcy, chain collisions on the highway, radio-magnetic pollution or the high costs of…

Lao-Tzu, Yang-Tzu and Chuang-Tzu elevated simplicity to a way of life, a principle that determines how Taoists think and behave. When simplicity becomes ingrained in our character, we do not need to remind ourselves to streamline our activities, reuse old resources, and avoid unnecessary expenditures. Taoists regard simplicity as a virtue because it sustains self-reliance…