Taoist Principles For A Prosperous Life

This first lesson is a short history of Taoism in China and how the principles and practices of Taoism can help us lead more balanced, healthy and fulfilling lives. In this course the listener will learn how to apply these ancient teachings to their own life. The practices of Taoism work as splendidly for today’s problems as they did during the Han Dynasty, 2000 years ago. Taoism is a pathway to greater expansion—in mind, body and spirit. It is a path of joy and greater awareness of ourselves as spiritual beings—connected to the earth, the heavens and nature (considered the great teacher).

This is one of the most important principles in Taoism. Wu wei (oo way) means not doing, though it actually means not forcing, not overdoing, not overextending. Sometimes wu wei means that instead of not doing something, we are actually doing something, but doing it in the right place and right time. It can also mean not doing the things that we know are not good for us. This may seem like a simple practice, but it is often quite difficult.

In Taoist practice, we honor the yin and the yang, the Earth and the Sun, the female and male, quiescence and activity, inward direction as well as outward direction. We are all creatures of both yin and yang and need to have a healthy balance of both within our being. Sometimes we need to move ahead; sometimes we need to pull back. Sometimes we need to push ourselves a little; sometimes we need to give ourselves a break. Sometimes we need to take the lower yin position, but sometimes we need to take the higher, yang position. How to tell which position to take is covered in this chapter.

Sometimes referred to as “going with the flow,” this principle teaches us how to flow like water, becoming adaptable and flexible in how we deal with the challenges in our life. This characteristic of water is also the making of a true sage. If we can become completely free and able to flow with whatever situation we find ourselves in, we can live a long and happy life.

It is the concept of the value of worthlessness that marks Taoism as a unique philosophy. ”Profit,” says the Tao Te Ching, “comes from what is there. Usefulness comes from what is not there.” When we are willing to be worthless, we become worthy. As the ancient achieved ones explain, it is only in emptying ourselves of our mental and emotional baggage that we become fit to receive.

A sense of humor is good with any spiritual path, but it is crucial with Taoism. Keeping a good sense of humor will help a lot on the spiritual journey. At times the road will be rough, the weather uncertain, and you may feel you are not making any progress. But keeping a sense of proportion and a sense of humor—along with a good helping of patience—will make the journey much easier.

It is in going slowly (manzou) that we can avoid accidents and many of the myriad problems of modern life. Eating slowly, moving slowly, thinking slowly, speaking slowly, even listening slowly will help us remain balanced in our life. By slowing your action, slowing your mind, and slowing your responses to outside influences or interactions with others, you will begin to live your life in harmony and balance.

Lao Tzu (Laozi), author of the Tao Te Ching, tells us that when we are born we are supple and tender like a young plant. As we age we become rigid and unyielding. When we are young we are soft and pliable but as we age we become dry and brittle. He also says that the hard and unyielding will break under the pressures of life while the soft and yielding will overcome them. Remaining flexible in mind, body and spirit is an important key to living a full and healthy life.

The principle of the Uncarved Block or Pu in Chinese is an essential element of Taoist philosophy and practice. It is the concept of the simple, uncluttered and natural man and woman and their way of life. Through forgiveness, through trust, through taking chances with ourselves and others, and through returning to our “original nature”—our own sweet simple and natural self, our own “uncarved block”—we can begin the journey that leads back to its beginning, to our original nature, or Tao.

Meditation, practiced correctly and regularly in the way that is most appropriate for each individual, can open doorways into worlds that you can only imagine. It can open lines of communication to the world of helping and healing spirits and can bring you closer to whatever your idea of God or Tao or the Great Mystery is. It can allow you greater awareness of bodily condition or energetic state as well as greater insight into your emotional terrain.