In this engaging conversation, Solala Towler, a Daoism expert with over 30 years of experience, shares profound insights from Lao Tzu's ancient teachings. He emphasizes embracing life’s flow rather than fighting against it, discovering joy through childlike wonder, and finding balance amidst chaos. Towler discusses the importance of 'wu wei' and how Taoist practices like Qigong and meditation can enhance personal growth. By navigating life's challenges with grace and flexibility, listeners learn to cultivate happiness through ancient wisdom adapted to modern life.
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insights INSIGHT
Taoism's Focus on Inaction
Taoism emphasizes what not to do, promoting a philosophy of non-action.
This "not-doing" (Wu Wei) involves avoiding overdoing and forcing things to happen.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The 80% Rule
Avoid pushing yourself to burnout; strive for 80% capacity in all endeavors.
Overexertion leads to burnout and hinders long-term well-being and happiness.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Avoid Overfilling
Avoid overfilling your life; it leads to wasted energy and burnout.
Maintain balance, like the yin and yang, and avoid extremes in activity levels.
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Published in 1945, 'Animal Farm' is a novella that allegorically represents the Russian Revolution and the subsequent rise of Stalinism. The story begins with Old Major, a boar, inspiring the animals of Manor Farm to rebel against their human oppressor, Mr. Jones. After the rebellion, the animals rename the farm 'Animal Farm' and establish a utopian society based on the principles of equality and solidarity, known as Animalism. However, as time passes, the pigs, led by Napoleon and Snowball, consolidate power and gradually corrupt the original ideals, leading to a dystopian regime that mirrors the oppressive human rule they initially rebelled against. The novel critiques totalitarianism and the corrupting nature of power, reflecting Orwell's experiences and views on the Soviet Union under Stalin's rule.
Tao te ching
Laozi
The Tao Te Ching is a central text in Taoist philosophy and religion. It consists of 81 brief chapters or sections that discuss the nature of the Tao, which is described as the source and ideal of all existence. The text emphasizes living in harmony with nature, the importance of simplicity, humility, and the interconnectedness of all things. It critiques unnatural actions and social activism based on abstract moralism, advocating for a life of 'nonaction' (wu wei) and spontaneity. The text has been highly influential in Chinese philosophy and has been translated numerous times, making it one of the most translated texts in world literature[2][3][4].
How to Change
The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
The challenges of life often cause us to work frantically to overcome our difficulties - but the Chinese thinker Lao Tzu recommended that instead we should emulate the slow, steady, yet powerful flow of a river.
Solala Towler has studied and taught the principles of Daoism for more than 30 years - and explains how we can implement them into our daily lives. Things like retaining our childlike wonder, being content to go with the flow, and appreciating moderation in all things so that we don't burn ourselves out.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 
