Tao Te Ching

01Find your chill and go with the flow

Taoism, a deep-rooted Chinese philosophy, is like a river that has been flowing through Eastern thought for ages. Its main guide, the "Tao Te Ching," penned by Lao-Tzu and interpreted by John Minford, is a brief yet deep dive into the heart of Taoism. The soul of Taoism, as the book tells us, is found in peace and silence. To grasp this, we need to first understand what 'Tao' means. 'Tao' is often translated as 'way' or 'path,' but that's a bit too simple. In Taoism, Tao is the basic principle that forms the universe, the natural flow of things, the core of everything that exists. It's a force that's everywhere and nowhere at the same time, beyond what we can touch or see. Taoism, as a way of thinking, is about aligning ourselves with this Tao, this natural flow of the universe. It's about finding a balance, a peace with the world around us. This is where 'quiet' comes in. In Taoism, 'quiet' isn't just about silence. It's a state of calm, of inner peace, of being in sync with the Tao. This peace and quiet aren't achieved by force or hard work. Instead, they come from letting go, from surrendering to the flow of the Tao. This is a key theme in the "Tao Te Ching." Lao-Tzu often talks about the importance of non-action, of letting things happen naturally, as they should. For example, in Chapter 48 of the "Tao Te Ching," Lao-Tzu says, "In the pursuit of learning, every day something is added. In the practice of the Tao, every day something is dropped." This shows the Taoist way of life - not through gathering and striving, but through simplifying and letting go. Another example is in Chapter 37, where Lao-Tzu says, "The Tao never does anything, yet through it all things are done." This sums up the Taoist idea of 'wu wei,' or 'effortless action.' It's about acting in sync with the Tao, letting things happen naturally, without force or struggle. In short, Taoism is about finding peace and balance in the natural flow of life. It's about quieting the mind, letting go of wants and hopes, and aligning ourselves with the Tao. This is the soul of Taoism as told in the "Tao Te Ching" - a philosophy of peace and quiet, of effortless action and natural living. To make this idea more real, think about the Beatles' songs "The Inner Light" and "All Things Must Pass." These songs, inspired by the teachings of the "Tao Te Ching," capture the Taoist ideas of peace, quiet, and the fleeting nature of life. They show how Taoism continues to influence and be relevant in today's world.