Power for the Peaceful: A Course in Tao

Verse 9 of Tao te Ching. At its core, this verse portrays Taoism’s vision of teaching an individual, a community, or even a civilization, to “let go”. Be careful, this verse advises, in how far one goes, or how widely we extend ourselves, or how deeply we may want to insinuate ego into our lives and projects. By letting go, by “retiring early” in one’s schemes, one returns to one’s natural, spontaneous, originally peaceful state. Holding on to unnatural desires leads only to hopeless gain, and competes with one’s original state of harmony. When I practice the unnatural I not only tip, but also tilt, the harmonic balance that is my natural birthright and gift. This verse asks us why do we do more than we need to do? What would happen if we did only the truly necessary, and no more? This podcast is an original labor of love, designed, written, and co-produced by many, whose central idea is that Tao te Ching is good news for today. Tao still speaks. Thanks to Wendy Dover for her readings and question. Audrey Davis is our artist. Molly Hartwell sings her song, “Put Your Roots Down.” Fortress Press holds the copyright for quotations from my Tao Te Ching translation. Thanks to you for your attendance in this class on Taoism. May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical hope. Marc - mmullinax@mhu.edu

To observe water in all its manifold forms is to study Tao at its most essential. Listening to water sharpens our ears for hearing Tao. Today's episode departs from the usual teaching, and instead features an "interview" with water.  This podcast is an original labor of love, designed, written, and co-produced by many, whose central idea is that Tao te Ching is good news for today. Tao still speaks. Thanks to Tom Burnet for his voice and question. Audrey Davis is our artist. My brother Ben Mullinax supplied the background water sounds in today’s episode. Fortress Press holds the copyright for quotations from my Tao Te Ching translation. May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical hope.

In this episode, we get simple ... and ethical. If Heaven and Earth (or Tao) last forever, how do they do it? (Spoiler alert: They live for others, and not for themselves.) Teased out in this verse is the same question for us. How may we endure? The answer is as simple as it may "seem" difficult to practice, but I make the bold assertion that our endurance and living long is no different from Tao's (after all, Tao birthed us, right?). We endure by finding our fulfillment in the filling and fulfillment of others. This podcast is an original labor of love, designed, written, and co-produced by many, whose central idea is that Tao te Ching is good news for today. Tao still speaks. Thanks to Terri Farless for her voice and question. Audrey Davis is our artist. Molly Hartwell donated her song “Put Your Roots Down”. Fortress Press holds the copyright for quotations from my Tao Te Ching translation. The poem found near the end of the episode is found here: https://www.awakin.org/v2/read/view.php?tid=2613 May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical hope.

There are but 25 Chinese characters in this verse, Tao te Ching's second shortest verse. Here the amazing teaching about The Feminine Nature of Tao. Until now, Lao Tzu has refrained from any anthropomorphizing of Tao. But in this verse, he links Tao with the Feminine, the Mother, the Womb. We start off with comparisons in 9 English translations for the Chinese word for woman (牝). Then we explore how deep this Feminine idea goes in Taoism's understanding of creation. Noteworthy is Lao Tzu's use of a feminine image/metaphor to convey this teaching. Quote by Thomas Cleary, Immortal Sisters: Secrets of Taoist Women. Boston: Tambala Publications, Inc., 1989. Tao still speaks. Thanks to Nancy Hastings Sehested for her voice and question. Artwork by Audrey Davis. The song “Put Your Roots Down” is graciously donated by songwriter and singer Molly Hartwell. The copyright for quotations from Tao Te Ching is held by Fortress Press. May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical hope.

Explore the power of emptiness in Tao te Ching's Verse 5 with analogies of a waving flag, a bellows, and a flute. Learn how emptiness is the source of creativity, art, and compassion. Discover the concept of 'no preference' and the Chinese character Ren (仁). Embrace radical hope and peace in your daily life.

Dr. Dan Snyder, author of 'Praying in the Dark,' explores Verse 4 of Tao te Ching, discussing emptiness, darkness, potential, and hidden brilliance. He suggests fasting from a habit to find balance, references a Ted-Talk, and emphasizes the importance of embracing humility and transformation. The podcast focuses on reconnecting with ancestral wisdom, finding peace in emptiness, cultivating wisdom through sensitivity, and exploring the dynamics of silence and speech.

Chris Berg from East Flat Rock, NC discusses the simplicity of desire and honorable yearnings in Tao te Ching Verse 3. The podcast explores Wu-Wei, wise action governed by simple necessities. It touches on the importance of harmony, interconnectedness, and finding peace through simplicity and compassion.

Exploring the impact of dualism on our perception of reality, the podcast discusses the drawbacks of binary thinking and advocates for unity and interconnectedness. Through examples like yin and yang, it promotes inclusivity and a deeper understanding of opposing forces. It also delves into navigating hierarchical thoughts, ego, compassion, and creativity in challenging situations.

Chad Holt reads quotes and asks thought-provoking questions in this episode focused on the importance of silence and awe in understanding Tao. The discussion touches on the limitations of words, embracing nature's beauty, the power of silence, and rediscovering Tao in everyday experiences.

The podcast explores Taoism's emergence and claims, including Tao as a 'Theory of Everything'. Topics include Tao, interconnectedness, avoiding hierarchies, and living in harmony with nature. Emptiness, darkness, and silence are discussed for spiritual growth, emphasizing the transformative power of stillness and quietness. The episode also delves into justice, peace, and defying societal norms to align with Tao's values.