Taoist Principles For A Prosperous Life - by Solala Towler

COURSE

Taoist Principles For A Prosperous Life

With Solala Towler

Taoism (Daoism) is a 5,000 year-old spiritual path from China. This course will cover the nine main principles of Taoism and how we can apply them to our own lives in the 21st century. Taoism teaches us how we can use the intrinsic and powerful energy of our bodies—our qi—in order to enhance and further ourselves as spiritual beings. Discover how Taoist principles can enhance your emotional and psychological wellbeing, achieve a state of wholeness, live a vibrant and purposeful life, and ultimately connect to source; the Divine or Tao.

WisdomHealth & HappinessVisualizationQi GongMovementTaoismReligionSpiritualitySpiritualityTaoist Meditation

Meet your Teacher

Solala Towler
Eugene, OR, USA

Solala Towler has been studying the Taoist arts for over 30 years. He is the author of 14 books, including Practicing the Tao Te Ching: 81 Steps on the Way (Sounds True); Tales From the Tao; Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters (Watkins); and Cha Dao: The Way of Tea (Singing Dragon). Solala is a founding board member and past president of the National Qigong Association and was editor/publisher of The Empty Vessel: The Journal of Daoist Philosophy and Practice for 25 years. He leads yearly tours to China to study qigong, tea ceremony and meditation in the sacred Taoist mountains. He has also recorded four cd's of meditation, yoga and qigong music. Visit Solala's website to learn more about his books, classes, music and trips to China.

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10 Days

11.4k students

4.9 stars

13 min / day

Wisdom

English

Lesson 1

Introduction To Taoism

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).

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Lesson 2

Principle One: Wu Wei - The Way Of Effortless Effort.

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.

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Lesson 3

Principle Two: Ying/Yang

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.

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Lesson 4

Principle Three: Watercourse Way

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.

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Lesson 5

Principle Four: The Value Of Worthlessness

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.

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Lesson 6

Principle Five: The Wisdom Of Foolishness

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.

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Lesson 7

Principle Six: Going Slowly

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.

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Lesson 8

Principle Seven: Flexibility

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.

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Lesson 9

Principle Eight: Pu: The Uncarved Block

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.

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Lesson 10

Principle Nine: Taoist Meditation

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.

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Ask your teacher

This course includes 115 community questions and 33 audio replies from Solala Towler. The community classroom and teacher audio replies are only available via the app.

115

4.9 (1384)

Recent Reviews

Christine

January 26, 2026

I love the connection between the mind and the natural world in daoism. A wonderful intro to the philosophy. Thank you!

Judith

December 30, 2025

Wonderful introduction to Taoist principles. I look forward to learning more.

Chanti

December 19, 2025

A phenomenal course! A blend of stories, passages from key texts, and the teacher’s commentary and reflections. I loved every minute!

Bi

October 19, 2025

Thank you so much, Solala, for sharing with us these drops of pure essence!

Rebecca

October 10, 2025

Thank you for this wonderful course! You make every principle of Daoism come to life. I enjoy all of your courses, talks and meditations! 🙏🙏

Zak

September 7, 2025

Amazing. So many great lessons.

Kate

July 22, 2025

Thank you 🙏

Mark

June 11, 2025

The beßt course of many here at Insight.

Nicole

June 2, 2025

A wonderful course, with principles of Taoism explain so well 🌈

Jennifer

April 22, 2025

Really really really really really good. Thank you for sharing

Sara

April 5, 2025

Really enjoyed this, I will listen to again and put onto practice.

Richard

January 7, 2025

Thank you for this teaching. I absolutely loved this course and learned so much from it. Where I live in Liverpool UK, finding a daoist teacher is proving difficult.. So far, I have acquired my knowledge mainly from books. I will now continue to put in practice what I have learned. I can not recommend this course highly enough

Faith

January 5, 2025

Great & Well-structured introduction to Taoism. Thank you!

William

December 16, 2024

Wonder-ful course, grateful for the insights it enables!

Tim

December 16, 2024

Amazing course I leant so much

Dominique

November 29, 2024

Beautiful course and deep teachings. I have learned much and will return.

Sam

November 28, 2024

As a Chan Buddhist practitioner, I was interested to learn a bit about Taoism as I have always heard and read of the influence they have had on the development of one another. This was a really great, informative, well explained intro that I had learned from. I notice so many similarities to my own practice it was like visiting a cousins house.

Lisa

November 24, 2024

I am new to this practice and I so appreciate your help in understanding this way of being. I will listen several times to absorb this practice! Thanks so much! 🙏

John

October 16, 2024

Great teacher! Highly recommended!,

Phoenix

October 3, 2024

This is the only course on Insight Timer that I listen to again and again. Such profound wisdom in each lesson. I love the teachers calm and kind voice. I've never been this moved by a set of principles before. They sit right with my own personal values, philosophy and world view. This course is a true gem!

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