Living Life by The “Dao”

In a world that keeps pulling you away from nature, your true place of balance and connection, finding harmony can seem out of reach.

Winnie the Pooh, the bear from the Hundred Acre Wood, might not seem like the go-to guide for dealing with adult life’s twists and turns, yet his simple wisdom is full of deep truths on how to live well with the Dao.

Pooh’s minimalist lifestyle, content with simple joys like spending time with friends and savoring honey, exemplifies Daoist simplicity. He displayed a calm acceptance of losing his house to a storm and viewed it as an opportunity for renewal rather than dwelling on the loss. Pooh’s deep connection with nature, whether wandering through the forest or basking in the sunshine, embodies the Daoist principle of harmony with the natural world.

Here is your invitation to be like Pooh — to assess your current ways of living and realign them to fit with where you came from. Nature, or the universe, or whatever you’d like to call it, is indeed your best guru. This article is your gentle reminder to reconnect with the truest teacher and embody its ways to cope with the ebbs and flows of life.

Understanding Daoism

Daoism is a religious and philosophical tradition that has significantly influenced Chinese culture for over two millennia. In Eastern philosophy, the Dao, or the Way, is known by various names reflecting its multifaceted nature. Daoism, also known as Taoism, centers around the exploration of the Dao and offers guidance on living with the natural order, the path, or the flow of life.

Lao Tze, a central figure in Daoism, is traditionally credited as the author of the classic text known as the Laozi or the Daodejing, which translates to “Classic of the Way of Power.” This text contains many of Laozi’s teachings, often presented through dialogues initiated by a disciple’s questions.

At the heart of Daoist thought is the idea of the Dao or Nature’s Way. This includes the life force and vibrations found in all natural things and how people connect with and are shaped by these forces. Daoism isn’t just a set of ideas but a way of life — living well with the universe’s rhythm.

Looking for peace and simplicity, Daoists often aim to find the most basic nature of everything, choosing the untouched state over made-up shapes. They like the raw rocks on a cliff for their real beauty, not the statues they might be made into. They also love the rough skin of a tree for its plainness, not the smooth piece of wood they could be turned into.

Core principles of Daoism

The Tao Te Ching (Daodejing), written by Lao Tze, is a pivotal text in Daoism. It addresses several core principles of Daoism, which form its guiding philosophy:

Simplicity. This principle advocates a modest lifestyle devoid of unnecessary desires, fostering inner peace.
Non-action. Also called Wu Wei, this encourages acting in alignment with the natural flow of the universe, promoting effectiveness without force.
Harmony with nature. This emphasizes interconnectedness, fostering balance and tranquility within the cosmos.
Equilibrium. The concept of Yin and Yang underscores the importance of maintaining equilibrium amidst opposing forces.
Change. Lastly, embracing change acknowledges life’s impermanence, urging individuals to adapt and navigate challenges with resilience.

Practical application of Daoism in modern life

Now that you’ve explored the foundational principles of Daoism, let’s discuss how you can apply the Dao to your contemporary life.

Equilibrium and balance

Central to Daoism is the principle of finding balance and harmony, exemplified by the symbol of the Yin Yang. This iconic symbol, with its black and white teardrop shapes intertwined in a simple circle, represents the dynamic interplay of opposing forces.

The white part stands for Yang, the qualities of masculinity, activity, light, and penetration. It reminds us of tall mountains, a dragon’s hot fire, and the push to get things moving.

On the other side, the black part is Yin, embodying qualities of femininity, passivity, darkness, and receptivity. The slow rivers, the quiet wait of a tiger, and the soft pull that brings us to think and rest.

However, in this mix, those who follow Dao see that Yin and Yang are two sides of the same thing. Each has a bit of the other in it, shown by little dots of the opposite color. This shows that everything is linked and that what seems different actually relies on each other.

From going after what one wants (Yang) to taking quiet time to think (Yin), Dao followers aim to bring these two sides together in themselves and the world around them.

They try to mix both Yang and Yin inside them, knowing that just one or the other won’t bring true balance. By letting these two forces work together, one can find peace and feel whole. This may involve balancing periods of activity with periods of rest, cultivating both assertive and receptive qualities, and embracing the full spectrum of human experience.

Simplicity and minimalism

Simplifying your living space by decluttering really makes a difference. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle allows you to focus on what really matters and creates a sense of inner peace.

Try organizing your email, removing apps you don’t use, and unsubscribing from unnecessary subscriptions. Instead of constantly buying things, try prioritizing experiences and relationships that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Also, think carefully about your purchases and prioritize quality over quantity. Before you buy something, ask yourself if it truly aligns with your values and if you will genuinely need it to improve your life.

Non-attachment and acceptance

Instead of intensely desiring or resisting things and outcomes, it’s helpful to embrace a mindset of acceptance and go with the flow, trusting that things will work out as they should.

Overcome micromanaging your life. Accept the uncertainty and trust in the process of life slowly unfolding. For example, if plans change unexpectedly, instead of feeling frustrated or upset, find ways to adapt to the new circumstances with grace and flexibility.

“You’d be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes, ignoring the clear reality that Things Are As They Are.”

— Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

Cultivate gratitude by regularly reflecting on the things in your life that you appreciate and cherish. This shifts your focus from what you lack to what you already have, fostering a mindset of abundance and contentment.

Daoists believe they are inherently wealthy because they are connected to the boundless universe, which they view as a source of infinite abundance and richness.

Effortless action (Wu Wei)

Instead of forcing things to happen or putting in too much effort, it’s better to let things happen naturally and follow your gut feelings. Trust in the wisdom of the world around you to help you make decisions with confidence and without too much struggle.

For instance, instead of overthinking or doubting yourself, it’s important to trust your instincts and let your inner wisdom guide you. Whether you’re making a career choice, a personal decision, or dealing with a tough situation, it’s best to listen to that quiet inner voice and let it lead you in the right direction.

Practice simplicity in your communication by speaking and listening with clarity and presence. Avoid unnecessary elaboration or over-explaining, and instead, convey your thoughts and feelings directly and authentically.

Cultivating mindfulness

A mythical story goes that three spiritual men — Buddha, Confucius, and Lao Tze — once gathered to taste a Pot of Vinegar.

Buddha finds it bitter, representing life’s struggles and suffering caused by our desires. Confucius tasted sourness, reflecting his concern for societal decay and the need for rules to maintain order. But Lao Tze, he smiles. To him, the bitterness and sourness come from our unappreciative and inattentive minds. He believes humans are part of nature, and to live harmoniously, we must follow its path. In his view, nothing is inherently bitter or sour — it’s our attitude towards life that determines our responses.

“The Christmas presents once opened are Not So Much Fun as they were while we were in the process of examining, lifting, shaking, thinking about, and opening them.”

— Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh

For Lao Tze and his followers, the essence of being a Daoist lay in mindfulness, in cultivating an attentive and appreciative mind. They believed that by aligning with the boundless universe, humans could transcend the bitterness and sourness of life and find richness in their connection to nature.

Dividing things into polarities of sweet and bitter, good and evil, merely solidifies them as separate entities. In the realm of the Dao, there exists no distinction between good and evil, only the state of being.

To them, mindfulness was not just a practice but a way of life — a way to curiously discover the true meaning hidden within the seemingly bitter and sour experiences of existence.

Connectedness with nature

Daoism celebrates the interconnectedness of all life, emphasizing your kinship with the natural world. Spending time in nature can be a powerful way to reconnect with the Dao and nurture your sense of belonging.

Research conducted in Japan and China highlights the numerous health benefits associated with Shinrin-Yoku (SY), or Forest Bathing, a traditional Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in nature using all five senses mindfully.

Originating in Japan during the 1980s, SY emerged as an integral part of preventive healthcare and healing in Japanese medicine. Studies have shown that SY has therapeutic effects on various aspects of human health, including the immune system, cardiovascular health, respiratory function, mental well-being, and feelings of awe.

Furthermore, nature, embodying the Great Beauty of the Dao, serves as the medium through which this transcendence is achieved. In Daoism, this is crucial as it connects individuals to the Dao, the fundamental principle of the universe.

Feelings of transcendence can manifest as a sense of connection with something greater than oneself, such as the divine, the universe, or a higher truth, leading to feelings of awe, enlightenment, or profound spiritual fulfillment.

By immersing in nature’s aesthetic simplicity, spontaneity, individuals can shed societal constructs, align with the Dao, and experience profound inner peace and unity with the cosmos.

Whether it’s taking a leisurely stroll through the woods, tending to a garden, or simply gazing up at the stars, immersing yourself in the beauty of nature can remind you of your place in the cosmos.

Chasing flow and fulfillment

The concept of flow, as described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, aligns closely with Daoist notions of effortless action and immersion in the present moment.

In Daoism, the idea is not to push and struggle. Instead, it’s about letting things happen naturally. It’s not about being lazy but more about doing what you love and going with the flow of life.

When you’re doing something that really grabs your attention and challenges your skills, you can get into this state of “flow.” It’s like time just slips away, and you feel fulfilled. Whether it’s pursuing a passion, engaging in creative expression, or immersing yourself in meaningful work, chasing flow can lead to a profound sense of harmony and purpose.

In conclusion

In a world filled with noise and distraction, Daoism offers a timeless roadmap to inner peace and authenticity. By embracing the core principles of simplicity, non-action, and harmony with the flow of life, you can navigate the complexities of modern existence with grace and ease.

As you embark on your journey of self-discovery, explore the wisdom of Daoism and consider how its teachings can enrich your life. Remember, the Way is always there, waiting to guide you home.

If you would like to see more resources on belief systems, check out the Personal Resilience Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Personal Resilience Science Labs today.

Photo by vecstock on Freepik

Living Life by The “Dao”

Understanding Daoism

Core principles of Daoism