Small Steps, Big Magic: Tapping The Taoist Path

For thousands of years, the wisdom of the Tao (or Dao) has guided millions in China and around the world to find inner serenity and live in harmony. This ancient philosophy stresses the importance of living spontaneously, effortlessly, and in balance with nature.

The origins of Taoist thought go back at least to the 6th century BCE in China. The main text of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, is attributed to the sage Laozi (or Lao Tzu), who legend says lived sometime in the 6th century BCE. The Tao Te Ching, which means "The Classic of the Way and Its Virtue", is one of the most influential books ever written, with over 250 different translations into English alone. Its poetic verses are cryptic yet profound, touching on themes of non-action, fluidity, simplicity, and the source of life. The Tao Te Ching is the fundamental text of Taoism and continues to captivate readers seeking its wisdom over 2,500 years after it was written.

While I don't consider myself an expert on Taoism, this ancient wisdom found me during a major life transition years ago when I was living in New York City. During that profound time of personal awakening and transformation, the concept of wu wei or "non-action" spoke to me deeply. I spent years meditating on wu wei and how it relates to the metaphor Laozi uses in the Tao Te Ching of building a house. Just as we need the emptiness of a doorway and windows to make a home livable, we need emptiness or openness in our own lives and minds to flow harmoniously with the Tao. Though my understanding is limited, the Taoist emphasis on simply being rather than doing resonated with me during that formative period and continues to inspire me to this day.

I was inspired to create this newsletter after listening to a Wayne Dyer lecture that randomly started playing on YouTube the other day. In the old workshop, Dr. Dyer shared how the wisdom of the Tao profoundly entered his life and transformed the lives of so many others. He told the powerful story of a severe drug addict who had just a 6% chance of surviving when he entered a recovery unit in Minnesota. This man refused to participate in any of the recommended recovery practices - the only thing he would engage with was studying the Tao Te Ching. Against all odds, the teachings of Lao Tzu on non-action, detachment, and harmony with the universe completely turned his life around and saved him. Dyer emphasized that the ancient truths of the Tao contain a depth of wisdom that can touch even the most hardened lives. Hearing this reminded me again of the power of this philosophy - not just as abstract ideas, but as a practical guide to living in alignment with nature and finding inner peace. I'm excited to share more of my own journey with the Tao and explore how we can apply its lessons today.

A core aspect of Taoism is its emphasis on unity, interconnection, and the nature of opposites - as expressed through the yin-yang symbol. This relates to the concept of love because according to the Taoist view, love is about blending and reconciling opposites. Rather than trying to get rid of pain or difficulty, the Tao embraces the whole of life. The Tao Te Ching states "Being and non-being create each other" - you cannot have love without loss, joy without sorrow. From a Taoist perspective, love is not grasping or possessing, but flowing with the natural rhythms of partnership, allowing space between two people rather than demanding closeness. There is a mutual fulfillment that comes from embracing the energies of masculinity and femininity, strength and vulnerability, closeness and freedom. The goal is a harmonious dance between partners and genuine understanding of each other's true nature. Taoist love recognizes that trying to control leads to discord, while balanced non-action cultivates deeper connection.

The Taoist emphasis on harmony, flexibility, and going with the natural flow also applies to setting goals and making progress. Rather than dreaming big and then struggling to reach lofty ambitions, the Tao advises taking small, gradual steps. As Laozi says in the Tao Te Ching, “Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity." This means focusing on the task at hand without getting attached to the outcome. Tackle problems incrementally rather than trying to solve everything at once. Don’t force solutions, but let them arise organically through patient cultivation. Progress often happens through subtle influence over long periods of time, like water shaping rock. Similarly, human relationships flourish by steadily building trust and understanding. The Taoist sage works steadily yet lightly, aligning their efforts with the larger unfolding of the universe. In this way, great things can be achieved through small but consistent steps.

There are striking parallels between the ancient wisdom of Taoism and more modern spiritual teachings like the Law of Attraction. The Law of Attraction teacher Abraham Hicks speaks extensively about the power of alignment - aligning your thoughts, emotions and actions with the energy of what you desire to attract. This is very much in line with Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes living in harmony with the natural flow of the universe. Abraham teaches us to raise our energetic vibration by focusing on positive emotions like love, joy and appreciation. Similarly, the Tao Te Ching speaks of resonating with benevolence, compassion and tranquility. Hicks describes the importance of entering into the "vortex" where we access these higher frequencies. This aligns with the Taoist principle of wu wei, or effortless action, where we tap into our natural wellspring of creativity and inspiration. Abraham also teaches us to move up the emotional scale, from emotions like fear and anger into more positive Territory. This resembles the Taoist approach of balancing opposites and cultivating inner peace. When viewed side by side, the Law of Attraction and Taoism provide complementary maps to access our greatest potential and manifest harmony in our lives.

While rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy, the wisdom of the Tao remains powerfully relevant today. As we've explored, these teachings continue to change lives, from longtime students to those discovering Lao Tzu's words for the first time. The emphasis on alignment, balance, and effortless flow can also be seen reflected in contemporary spiritual perspectives like Abraham Hicks' Law of Attraction. At its core, Taoism encourages us to dance with the universe as active co-creators rather than passive spectators. What if we truly embraced the idea of an interconnected life force that supports and guides us? Living in harmony with the ebb and flow of nature, trusting in the power of small steps, and aligning our minds, hearts and actions with our highest purpose - these are the lessons passed down through the centuries from the Tao. By integrating this timeless wisdom into our modern lives, we can learn to gracefully navigate life's twists and turns, maximize our potential, and find peace in the journey. The Tao shows us the way. We need only have the courage to walk the path.