Chinese classic text
POPULARITY
Categories
Step into this calming Inner Child guided meditation designed to help you overcome the fear of the unknown and restore deep emotional safety - with Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.When the fear of the unknown rises, the mind tightens and the body moves into protection. This soothing Inner Child guided meditation helps you release emotional tension, calm survival-driven thinking, and reconnect with a deep sense of inner safety. You'll gently explore the root of uncertainty, soften old conditioning, and create space for trust, clarity and courage to emerge.Through grounding breathwork, visualisation, and compassionate Inner Child work, this meditation guides you back to your natural state of ease and flow. You'll learn to meet fear with presence, restore emotional balance, and align with the Taoist principle of allowing rather than resisting. Use this practice whenever uncertainty feels overwhelming or when you want to strengthen your ability to move forward with confidence, peace, and self-trust.⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERYThis meditation can be practised daily or whenever you need it. Learn more about our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy:Untangling Fear of the Unknown: Taoism, Flow & Inner Child Healing https://youtu.be/TxWWryjPOK0?si=PKX3uvvBDgHnbWcXINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qq&si=7TkslLfvthRWePOIGUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFubIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
"When we look at things in the light of Tao, nothing is best, nothing is worst" — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 87 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
What if the real danger isn't change, but staying stuck where you are?We often mistake familiarity for safety, creating inner resistance and a fear of the unknown whenever we face something new. This episode explores that subtle fear — the emotional “red light” that appears as change approaches, whether we're starting something, letting go, or sitting with uncertainty. We look at how fear softens when we stop forcing and instead align with life's natural flow. You'll learn why the unknown feels threatening to the mind and how presence helps us move through it with greater ease. Bringing in Inner Child wisdom, we uncover early conditioning that taught us to avoid the unknown. By meeting those younger parts of ourselves with compassion, we can create an inner safety that empowers us to step forward with trust and confidence.With your hosts, David James Lees (ordained Taoist monk, emotional and spiritual health teacher) and Alexandra Lees (mindset and business coach).Discover our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:INNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqGOLDEN THREAD PROCESS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIAsS_wgdRN7QGBKIk54sbyDJoin our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup Music by Earth Tree HealingDisclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.
Tune in for the wisdom of Lao Tzu in this transformative episode of Exploring the Mystical Side of Life. Host Linda Lang welcomes Taoist Master San Qing, who channels a message from Lao Tzu, focused on discovering your innate wholeness and accelerating your spiritual evolution. San Qing shares a powerful breathing exercise—rooted in Taoist tradition—to help you reconnect to your heart, nurture self-love, and access your true nature beyond the confines of everyday struggles. Experience guidance on mastering emotions, cultivating patience, and igniting your divine spark. Plus, learn more about San Qing's teachings and practical tools for self-realization. Tune in for insights, inspiration, and a practical path to remembering who you truly are.Explore San Qing's podcast, The Way 126 Experience on all major podcast platforms and YouTube.Work with San Qing: https://immortaltaoistrites.com/ Buy the TAO TE CHING transcribed by San Qing as a DIRECT Channel of Lao Tzu: https://bit.ly/SanQing-Tao-Te-ChingThe Way 126 app LIVE now on web, IOS and Android: https://theway126.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway_126 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theway126experience
In this episode we unpack the ancient Chinese classic, "The Tao Te Ching" by Lao Tzu from circa 400 BCEThis book explores...*The art of not over-doing*The cyclical nature of all things *Acting in accordance with the nature of realityHost: Zach Stehura UnpackingIdeas.comGuest: Amon Greene amonra16.ag@gmail.comIntro Music: PolyensoFree PDF of the book: Red Pine TranslationResources MentionedTao: The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts (book)Trying Not to Try by Edward Slingerland (book)Taoism: An Essential Guide by Eva Wong (book)Timestamps0:00 Introduction4:51 Amon's background 10:10 Historical Context of the Tao Te Ching11:50 Confucianism vs. Taoism15:38 Wu Wei22:25 Going with the flow27:26 De37:22 Wu Wei Government39:56 Wu Wei vs. Flow42:33 Restraint of taking action46:29 “The Tao that can be spoken is not the Eternal Tao”51:10 Mistaking the word for the thing 55:37 Yin and Yang1:03:15 The cyclical nature of everything1:10:55 Wrapping up1:15:09 Outro
"The game is never over. Birth and death are even. The terms are not final." — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 86 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this soulful solo episode of Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations, we reflect on the reckless beauty of youth — from lustful desires to fiery mistakes — and the profound wisdom that blooms from it all. With references to public stories like Britney & Justin, Robert Downey Jr., and ancient teachings from Heraclitus, Tao Te Ching, and African proverbs, this episode offers healing, insight, and hope. Learn how to transform the pain of the past into the power of the present.CONFESSIONS is now available: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/confessions-book/ Thank you for joining me on this MIRROR TALK podcast journey. Please subscribe to any platform and remember to leave a review and rating.Stay connected: https://linktr.ee/mirrortalkpodcast More inspiring episodes and show notes are here: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/podcast-episodes/ Your opinions, thoughts, suggestions, and comments are important to us. Share them here: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/your-opinion-matters/ Could you support us by becoming a Patreon? Please consider subscribing to one or more of our offerings at http://patreon.com/MirrorTalk All proceeds will help enhance the quality of our work and outreach, enabling us to serve you better.We use and trust these podcasting tools, software, and gear. We've partnered with amazing platforms to give our Mirror Talk community exclusive deals and discounts: https://mirrortalkpodcast.com/mirror-talks-recommended-podcasting-tools-exclusive-discounts/
The root of self-sabotage lies in your Inner Child's fear of failure and rejection — learn how to transform that fear into flow, confidence, and peace.Are you tired of getting in your own way? This Tao Dialogue explores the deeper roots of self-sabotage — why it happens, where it begins, and how to transform it through awareness and compassion.You'll learn how to: ✅ Recognise hidden self-sabotaging patterns ✅ Heal your Inner Child and reconnect with self-trust ✅ Reprogram limiting beliefs that keep you stuck ✅ Take aligned action toward peace, purpose, and successWhen you stop fighting yourself, life starts to flow. Freedom begins with understanding, not force.Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/breaking-free-from-self-sabotageOur Tao Dialogues are powerful yet gentle teachings about authenticity, spirituality and finding emotional balance and flow in everyday life. These spoken-word episodes draw from David James Lees' practice as a Taoist monk and teacher, and expand upon popular posts on ‘David's Journal', his Substack blog.You can subscribe to David's Journal here: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Discover David's online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comOther related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:Why Do I Self-Sabotage My Happiness? https://youtu.be/8xOmnlLZ08I?si=HlOOhfx247kdApHGTAO DIALOGUES PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICamFP2zMyey3KGTnfm2aUq&si=AW_ZOUeldKv3nHhFINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqJoin our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
Step into the mysterious world of Taoist magic as Master San Qing shares his extraordinary journey—complete with mystical encounters, ancient rituals, and the powerful guidance of Lao Tzu. Prepare to have your perceptions of reality challenged as we uncover the hidden superpowers within us all on this episode of Exploring the Mystical Side of Life. San Qing shares his personal journey—from childhood enchantment with superheroes, bodybuilding and ancient wisdom, through intense awakening experiences, to connecting with spiritual master Lao Tzu. Discover how resonance, empathy, and self-realization are keys to accessing the “superpowers” of the human spirit, and learn about the real-life miracles, energetic tools, and portals that show magic truly is everywhere. Plus, hear about San Qing's unique perspectives on channeling, energy healing, and the importance of mastering your emotional state.If you're curious about the deeper layers of mystical practice, spiritual awakening, or the practical tools behind Taoist rituals, this episode is for you.Work with San Qing: https://immortaltaoistrites.com/ Buy the TAO TE CHING transcribed by San Qing as a DIRECT Channel of Lao Tzu: https://bit.ly/SanQing-Tao-Te-ChingThe Way 126 app LIVE now on web, IOS and Android: https://theway126.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theway_126 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theway126experienceStay tuned for a bonus episode coming November 14, 2025, where San Qing channels a message from Lao tzu.
"Of all the waters in the world the ocean is greatest. All the rivers pour into it day and night; it is never filled. It gives back its waters day and night." — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 84 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
Experience deep subconscious healing and release old beliefs keeping you stuck in scarcity. This powerful guided meditation helps you attract wealth, flow, and emotional freedom—with Taoist monk and teacher David James Lees.Reprogramme your money story from the inside out with this Inner Child healing meditation for abundance. Your financial blocks aren't about money—they're rooted in childhood patterns of scarcity, safety, and self-worth. Through gentle guidance, you'll release old fears, open your heart, and align with the natural energy of prosperity and ease. Let your inner child lead you back to peace, abundance, and financial freedom…⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERYThis meditation can be practised daily or whenever you need it. Learn more about our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy:Master Your Mindset For Wealth https://youtu.be/BuVV7PXewsA?si=NZ2MlXno-hS2tMLR LAW OF ATTRACTION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIDtpsyrlO2TNeBoKwUDlQOI&si=Z6dGUJSDR36XKHjq GUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFubIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
This week, Thomas shares a teaching on trauma healing, ego integration, and embodied trust. Through the lens of traditional spiritual practices and the Tao Te Ching, he explores how trauma disconnects us from inner coherence, and why it's important to understand and accept the intelligence of our defense patterns instead of simply trying to get rid of them.He also shares a unique perspective on trust, relationality, and worthiness, and challenges the idea of completely “dissolving the ego” and achieving an ideal self, offering a more holistic approach that highlights the necessary function of the ego and the need for all of our parts to be acknowledged and integrated.✨ Click here to watch the video version of this episode on YouTube:
"…books contain words only. And yet there is something else which gives value to the books. Not the words only, nor the thought in the words, but something else within the thought, swinging it in a certain direction that words cannot apprehend." — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 82 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this week's episode, we dive into Idries Shah's The Way of the Sufi, exploring the timeless wisdom, stories, and parables that reveal how Sufi philosophy invites us to live with deeper awareness, humility, and connection.We uncover the Sufi understanding that “all is one” — that everything in existence is connected through the same source of energy and consciousness — and how this awareness reshapes our perspective on life and others. We'll discuss the Sufi view on vibration and energy, and how subtle differences in awareness and intention influence our spiritual growth and our ability to live in harmony.We also reflect on the Sufi teaching that time and life are our greatest treasures, far more valuable than any material riches, reminding us that how we spend our limited time determines the depth and meaning of our lives. Additionally, we explore the Sufi perspective on effort versus excuses — how commitment and sincerity on the path lead to transformation, while excuses keep us bound by illusion.Finally, we look at the three forms of knowledge — intellectual, emotional, and true understanding — and how they shape our perception of reality. The Sufis teach that true understanding arises when the heart, mind, and experience unite, transcending logic to touch the essence of wisdom itself.Join us to discover how The Way of the Sufi offers not only spiritual insight but also practical guidance for living with purpose, awareness, and authenticity in the modern world. Tune in for a reflective conversation that blends mysticism, consciousness, and the art of seeing life as one continuous, living truth.All the love, all the power, all of the time!If you'd like to support the podcast, follow this link: https://linktr.ee/w.salskiTo join the Team: https://tr.ee/JointheTeamInstagram: / unusual.stories_podcast TikTok: / unusual.stories_podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@w.salskicreativeworksPrimal.net: @wspodcastLink to the book on Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/50BooxTMentioned Media: "Longevity Guidebook" - https://youtu.be/aleJ8BKOJpc"Meditations" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ZCarN0dQMCaU8fVM7POL3?si=f4d99dddf2eb4017"Tao Te Ching" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/21jzOIKR4QZTqnQPXRgWyQ?si=ac1c7d9c1457482a"Becoming Supernatural" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/66qpvhQpqwK8L2GYpxU655?si=111cea9bca4c48ac"Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Cu7yUsoN9GpU6YeNAGxzk?si=e720ec603d2f4562"Letting Go" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0V1nGsbVjp6liYmZ30TAWN?si=5677779180754b7f"Why We Sleep" - https://youtu.be/ZbHySUmXfJw
Discover how to release scarcity thinking and attract abundance in your life.Have you ever wondered why money seems to slip through your fingers, no matter how hard you work or how carefully you plan? This Life Lesson goes to the root of your emotional and spiritual relationship with money. You might be surprised to learn that your abundance struggles aren't about money. They often stem from the Inner Child—the part of you shaped by early experiences, beliefs, and fears around safety, worth, and scarcity. When you release the grip of scarcity, and when you trust the natural rhythm of life, abundance stops being something you chase—and becomes something you live…With your hosts, David James Lees (ordained Taoist monk, emotional and spiritual health teacher) and Alexandra Lees (mindset and business coach).Discover our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:LAW OF ATTRACTION VIDEO PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIDtpsyrlO2TNeBoKwUDlQOIINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqGOLDEN THREAD PROCESS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIAsS_wgdRN7QGBKIk54sbyDIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup Music by Earth Tree HealingDisclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.
Send us a textMany times, Fairfax criminal defense lawyer Jon Katz has quoted this great passage from the Kung Fu television pilot with David Carradine (1972): “Perceive the way of nature and no force of man can harm you. Do not meet a wave head on: avoid it. You do not have to stop force: it is easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check. Check rather than hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. For all life is precious nor can any be replaced.” This is an ideal way to master courtroom battle and to handle any conflict. When I learned that Kung Fu's creators Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander are still alive, I started looking for them to invite them onto my Beat the Prosecution podcast. Hitting deadends in finding their email addresses, I revisited Kung Fu chronicler Herbie J Pilato, who blew me away in accepting my interview invitation within hours. The Kung Fu stand-alone pilot (Kung Fu: The Way of the Tiger, the Sign of the Dragon) blew away the nearly-nine year old me in multiple ways through multiple layers. Here I was learning both the concept and way to pursue a path other than brute force, whether through studying, verbal combat, sports or physical fighting. That is not to say that I was a quick learner, but that the path was now visible and open to me. By now, it all comes together. The wu wei of acting in harmony with the universe's natural flow. The path of zero, with no chasing while fully engaging with the opponent. The cleaning with self identity through Ho'oponopono. Finding internal peace no matter what is happening around me and beyond. Kung Fu's initial creator Ed Spielman did not spearhead this story from an armchair, but instead studied Mandarin at Brooklyn College, and conducted research for instance in New York's Chinatown while also being influenced by Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, Herbie says" "The show's writers gathered information from Confucius, Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Zen Buddhism, and the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, all of which share a similar theme: Gentleness, peace and compassion are of the utmost importance if one is to have a spiritually-sound and happy existence." Herbie sent me his great recent extensive Retro Fan Magazine article "Kung Fu and the Eternal Spring of 'Grasshopper'- A Look Back at TV's Classic Eastern Western."This podcast with Fairfax, Virginia criminal / DUI lawyer Jon Katz is playable on all devices at podcast.BeatTheProsecution.com. For more information, visit https://KatzJustice.com or contact us at info@KatzJustice.com, 703-383-1100 (calling), or 571-406-7268 (text). If you like what you hear on our Beat the Prosecution podcast, please take a moment to post a review at our Apple podcasts page (with stars only, or else also with a comment) at https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beat-the-prosecution/id1721413675
In this Rich Reflections session, Rich invites listeners into an early-morning meditation on curiosity, creativity, and energy. From candlelit writing at 3:42 a.m. to reflections on caffeine habits among history's greatest minds, the episode explores how we fuel our bodies and minds for the work that matters most. Rich shares insights from The Hero with a Thousand Faces, The Tao Te Ching, and the unexpected recommendations of ChatGPT—using them as jumping-off points to ask what books, habits, and thoughts expand our own perspective. With humor, grounded philosophy, and a farmer's eye for clarity, this session encourages you to ask: what's worth my energy, and how am I choosing to feed my mind? Subscribe to the email newsletter for inspiration, self-development, & updates: https://richhebron.com/ Questions from this session: What are we grateful for? What is a time of day or environment that makes us feel good and empowered? What is something we could benefit from getting clearer on? What are our observations with caffeine? What is our consumption of audio like? What have our dreams been lately? What's our interpretation? What are 3 books that we could read to expand our perspective most? What are we energized for? What thoughts or habits are we practicing lately? How will we pursue our curiosity in the next week?
In this deeply personal and powerful solo episode, we explore the liberating truth that you have nothing to prove. Through heartfelt storytelling, soulful reflection, and ancient wisdom, this episode guides you through the silent burden of performance-based worthiness — and invites you to reclaim your life from the pressure of perfection.From healing metaphors like the story of a dying house plant, to meditative questions and transformative truths, this episode is a soulful reminder to rest in your enoughness and let go of the need to impress, justify, or strive for love.This is the episode for you if you've ever felt like you're not enough — or like you're constantly living your life to be validated. Today, you are invited to come home to yourself.
On this week's podcast, we have the privilege of hearing from Paula R. She shared her story and her new book, Hitchhiking into Recovery. 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
How to Live Simply in a World That Wants You to Want More - Lao Tzu (Taoism) In this podcast we will talk about How to Live Simply in a World That Wants You to Want More from the philosophy of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who is known to be the founder of Taoism and the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. So with that in mind, here are 6 Ways to Live Simply in a World That Wants You to Want More from the philosophy of Lao Tzu - 01. Reclaim your Uncarved Block 02. Own Only What Serves Your Spirit 03. Mind your speech 04. Live in Rhythm with Nature 05. Stop forcing 06. Practice Xin Zhai We hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast and hope this video, from the philosophy of Lao Tzu, helps you to simplify your life. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism teaches to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who is known to be the founder of Taoism. He is also credited as the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching and his words can apply to people all over the world.
Discover how to move from fear and control into effortless alignment through the Taoist teaching of wu wei.Ever wonder why even positive change can feel unsettling?In this Tao Dialogue episode, we explore:Why red-light emotions (fear, anxiety, frustration) are not enemies but messengers.The Golden Thread Process — tracing emotions back to their root beliefs.How to guide your Inner Child back to balance through Shen, your inner truth.The Taoist art of non-doing — how to act with presence, not pressure.Learn to let go of control, trust life's rhythm, and transform uncertainty into liberation. Because we are not here to control the wind — we are here to learn how to move with it.Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/living-effortlessly-in-a-world-ofOur Tao Dialogues are powerful yet gentle teachings about authenticity, spirituality and finding emotional balance and flow in everyday life. These spoken-word episodes draw from David James Lees' practice as a Taoist monk and teacher, and expand upon popular posts on ‘David's Journal', his Substack blog.You can subscribe to David's Journal here: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Discover David's online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comOther related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:Everything Will Be OK – Guided Meditation on Trusting https://youtu.be/SaJOyIsA21o?si=ZkK4WuaiwqymjgOdTAO DIALOGUES PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICamFP2zMyey3KGTnfm2aUq&si=AW_ZOUeldKv3nHhFINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
Welcome to a special episode of CD Voice, where we dive into the literary world's big news: Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai has won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature.Famous for his demanding, cinematic, and often bleak writing—think dystopian melancholy, spiritual void in modern life, and groundbreaking works like Satan Tango—Krasznahorkai isn't just a master of “European despair.” What makes his win even more compelling is a surprising twist: his deep, decades-long connection to Eastern philosophy and Chinese culture.From his 1991 trip to China that sparked a personal and literary shift, to his obsession with the Tao Te Ching, his adoption of the Chinese name “Qiu,” and his pilgrimage tracing Tang poet Li Bai's steps—this episode explores how Eastern wisdom softened his dark style, creating a unique synthesis of West and East. We'll also look at how this fusion shines in his later works, like the short story collection The World Goes On, and why the Swedish Academy honored him for “reaffirming the power of art in the midst of apocalyptic terror.”Whether you're a literary fan or curious about cross-cultural inspiration, this episode unpacks what makes Krasznahorkai's oeuvre so visionary.Enjoy the deep dive, and keep exploring the stories behind great writing!
In this podcast we will talk about 5 Ways To Stop Overthinking And Trust the Bigger Picture from the philosophy of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who is known to be the founder of Taoism and the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. So with that in mind, here are 5 Ways To Stop Overthinking And Trust the Bigger Picture from the philosophy of Lao Tzu- 01. Stop forcing clarity 02. See Thought as Ripples, Not Truth 03. Root yourself in the body's wisdom 04. Rest in simplicity 05. Trust the bigger picture We hope you enjoyed listening to this video and hope this video, from the philosophy of Lao Tzu, helps you to stop overthinking. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism teaches to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who is known to be the founder of Taoism. He is also credited as the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching and his words can apply to people all over the world.
“For emptiness, stillness, tranquility, tastelessness, silence, and non-action are the root of all things.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 81 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this episode famous American Painter Georgia O'Keeffe and legendary philosopher and auther of the Tao Te Ching come together to talk about the art of surrender and seeing through the illusion. Schedule a call with Christy to learn about The Frredom Project - Click here To book a 55-minute connect call with Gary, click here
In this episode, I share why I've been off mainstream media (and feel calmer, clearer, and more engaged), how I stay informed on my terms, and what the Tao Te Ching and Stoicism taught me about hope that does the work. We'll look at the “doom loop,” why outrage isn't engagement, and how to channel energy into real life—voting, volunteering, showing up for people you love—without pretending everything's fine. Along the way, I unpack a Tao passage that once infuriated me (“You can't improve the world”) and how it ultimately freed me: the world is imperfect—and we make it better anyway. This podcast is listener-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Support the PodcastTo keep Food for Thought Podcast ad-free and accessible to all, I rely on the support of paid subscribers. If you're already one—thank you. If you're not, please consider becoming one. None of the companies below sponsored this episode. They're simply brands I personally use, love, and trust—which is why I agreed to be an affiliate.If you make a purchase using the links below, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you—and you'll receive exclusive discounts using the codes provided!* Complement SupplementsEverything you need, nothing you don't. Complement makes targeted supplements for plant-based eaters, including B12, D3, DHA, and more—all from clean, trusted sources. (Discount includes Omega-3 Index tests!)
A powerful Inner Child guided meditation to help you replace emotional overwhelm with inner peace - with Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.So many of us live spinning—mentally, emotionally—tied to old cycles of reaction. Round and round we go: anger, shame, fear, self-doubt. It may be familiar, but familiarity is not truth. That's the voice of our Inner Child, clinging to certainty. But now, we can choose something different. We can choose to understand and accept that we no longer need to ride this emotional carousel — we can choose calm, stillness and clarity...⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERYLearn more about our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy:How to Stop Emotional Overwhelm https://youtu.be/RC3k1lCrNPY?si=tnzXugrnMUZHd0PjHow to Understand Your Emotions – Heal Your Emotions https://youtu.be/9XuoL9pQSR8?si=MKXb8KJbC3Gu2NmVGUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFubIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
What am I living for? “both lost their original nature” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 78 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this podcast, we will talk about 7 Taoist Habits That Will Change Your Life from the philosophy of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who is known to be the founder of Taoism and the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. So with that in mind, here are 7 Taoist Habits That Will Change Your Life from the philosophy of Lao Tzu- 01. Begin the Day in Stillness 02. Act without struggle 03. Turn Ordinary Acts into Rituals 04. Follow Your Breath During the Day 05. Spend Time in Nature 06. Let Go of the Need to Control 07. End the Day in Release We hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast and hope these 7 Taoist habits, from the philosophy of Lao Tzu, will help you change your life. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism teaches to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who is known to be the founder of Taoism. He is also credited as the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching and his words can apply to people all over the world.
Welcome to a new episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. In this installment, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach/journalist Jo Confino explore the importance of silence and its role in personal transformation and spiritual practice. They further discuss noble silence in the Plum Village tradition – a fundamental practice that allows for deep reflection, self-awareness, and connection with the present moment; silence as a space that enables practitioners to listen deeply; the challenges of silence; the contrast between the mainstream emphasis on productivity, noise, and external validation, and the Buddhist approach of valuing stillness, presence, and inner listening as a path to true well-being and happiness; silence as a means to engage more deeply with life, rather than as an escape; embodied listening; and more. The episode concludes with an invitation to take time for silent reflection and to explore the transformative power of silence in our lives. Enjoy! Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resourcesInterbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing Being with Busyness: Zen Ways to Transform Overwhelm and Burnouthttps://www.parallax.org/product/being-with-busyness/ Calm in the Storm: Zen Ways to Cultivate Stability in an Anxious Worldhttps://www.parallax.org/product/calm-in-the-storm/ Buddha Path https://buddhapath.com ‘The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Village'https://plumvillage.org/articles/the-four-dharma-seals-of-plum-village Brother Spirithttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-phap-linh Brother Phap Unghttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-chan-phap-ung ‘Three Resources Explaining the Plum Village Tradition of Lazy Days'https://plumvillage.app/three-resources-explaining-the-plum-village-tradition-of-lazy-days/ Tao Te Ching https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao_Te_Ching Bimbisarahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bimbisara Devadattahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devadatta Quotes “When we learn to allow ourselves to be in silence, the silence becomes delicious because it gives us an immense feeling of spaciousness. But silence is also very scary if we are not trained in it – scary because we get to see our restlessness.” “The silence that we are learning to cultivate is the stillness that we all need.” “When we engage with the world, we don’t know how to be silent. That is not engaged Buddhism. That is not applied Buddhism. So the middle way is very important. Silence is not to suppress or to bypass what is going on; in our practice, there’s a space and time for everything.” “Silence allows us spaces of deep reflection. Silence is also to hear ourselves.” “Noble silence is the silence of being present.” “There’s a lot to learn in silence, and a lot to discover, as well as to celebrate.” “The silence of listening is an art form and a practice of embodied listening. And that means that we’re not just listening with our minds, but that we need to learn to listen with our whole body.” “We’re not here trying to gain more to enhance our ‘label'; actually, Zen is about seeing our label and letting it go, in order to see our wholeness. Because our wholeness is not limited to ‘I am a monk', ‘I am a journalist', ‘I am a coach', ‘I am a business leader', ‘I am my technician'. We’re so much more than this.” “Learn to let go. That’s the hardest practice.” “A lotus to you, a Buddha to be.” “Don’t just do something, sit there.” “There’s nothing to learn, but there is a lot to unlearn. Because, actually, when we strip away all the fears, judgments, and sufferings, home is already there. It’s already present, it’s never gone away; we just traveled a long way from it.” “So much of life is about feeling safe, and about knowing that we’re not on our own and that we are going to be supported.” “Colors blind the eye. Sounds deafen the ears. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart. The Master observes the world, but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is as open as the sky” – from the Tao Te Ching, credited to Lao Tzu. “There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way.”
In this podcast we will talk about 5 Ways To Stop Overthinking And Trust the Bigger Picture from the philosophy of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who is known to be the founder of Taoism and the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. So with that in mind, here are 5 Ways To Stop Overthinking And Trust the Bigger Picture from the philosophy of Lao Tzu- 01. Stop forcing clarity 02. See Thought as Ripples, Not Truth 03. Root yourself in the body's wisdom 04. Rest in simplicity 05. Trust the bigger picture We hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast and hope this podcast, from the philosophy of Lao Tzu, helps you to stop overthinking. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism teaches to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who is known to be the founder of Taoism. He is also credited as the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching and his words can apply to people all over the world.
In this talk, Banshō weaves together spiritual poems from across traditions—Christian, Sufi, Taoist, and Zen—to show how poetry can be a living expression of dharma. Beginning with reflections on the rarity of “radical presence,” he invites us to experience poetry as more than words: as truth, practice, heart, and shared human experience. Through poems like Joyce Rupp's The Perfect Cup, David Whyte's Everything is Waiting for You, Rumi's The Guest House, and Dōgen's timeless verses, he illustrates how beauty, impermanence, and the fullness of human emotions all belong to practice. The talk closes with selections from the Tao Te Ching, pointing to the great mystery—emptiness, interconnection, and the way of reality—revealed in the ordinary and the fleeting.This talk was given on September 21st 2025 during the GVZM Sunday Program. ★ Support this podcast ★
Am I approaching life's situations from a place of fear or Love? “When a hideous man becomes a father And a son is born to him In the middle of the night He trembles and lights a lamp And runs to look in anguish On that child's face To see whom he resembles.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 77 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this podcast we will talk about How To Truly Escape the Rat Race from the philosophy of Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher who is known to be the founder of Taoism and the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching. So with that in mind, here are 7 ways To Truly Escape the Rat Race from the philosophy of Lao Tzu- 01. Recognize the Illusion 02. Start Flowing 03. Quiet the Noise Inside 04. Let Go of the Finish Line 05. Stop Fighting Who You Are 06. Let Go of Comparison 07. Live Closer to Nature We hope you listening to this podcast and hope this video, from the philosophy of Lao Tzu, helps you to escape the rat race. Taoism is a Chinese philosophy attributed to Lao Tzu which contributed to the folk religion of the people primarily in the rural areas of China and became the official religion of the country under the Tang Dynasty. Taoism is therefore both a philosophy and a religion. Taoism teaches to embrace wonder and the joy in living gracefully with style. Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer who is known to be the founder of Taoism. He is also credited as the writer of Taoism's most sacred text, the Tao Te Ching and his words can apply to people all over the world.
In this Tao Dialogues episode, David explores how you can drop the burden of proving, performing, and perfecting and know your true value.Have you ever believed that your worth must be earned, proven, or validated by others? Do you often find yourself chasing approval, striving to be “good enough,” only to end up exhausted and unfulfilled? Do you sometimes hear the voice of your Inner Child whispering, “Will I ever be enough just as I am?”David unpacks these questions and offers a gentle path back to the truth of who you already are. The Tao teaches that just as rivers flow and mountains stand tall without needing permission or applause, we too are worthy by our existence. There is nothing we must do to earn this worth. No approval we must gain. No role we must play... Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/inherent-worthOur Tao Dialogues are powerful yet gentle teachings about authenticity, spirituality and finding emotional balance and flow in everyday life. These spoken-word episodes draw from David James Lees' practice as a Taoist monk and teacher, and expand upon popular posts on ‘David's Journal', his Substack blog.You can subscribe to David's Journal here: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Discover David's online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comOther related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:You Are Enough – Guided Meditation https://youtu.be/0_iBfwOgoCo?si=kR6lBO9r7PBgKsWnSHEN (THE SPIRITUAL SELF) PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIBmp50wYcmU7jCBLp1Qvl-jTAO DIALOGUES PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICamFP2zMyey3KGTnfm2aUq&si=AW_ZOUeldKv3nHhFINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqJoin our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
“I just have three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.” — Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Verse 67 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:67 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this meditation, we explore the Taoist Law of Attraction, a way of being that invites us to let go of striving and instead align our intentions with the natural flow of life so that we can attract what is right for us. This practice is not about forcing results, but about clearing resistance and reconnecting with the deeper truth of who we are. With Taoist monk and teacher, David James Lees.⚠️ PLEASE DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS MEDITATION WHILE DRIVING OR OPERATING MACHINERYThis meditation can be practised daily or whenever you need it. Learn more about our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other teachings and guided meditations you may enjoy:LAW OF ATTRACTION VIDEO PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIDtpsyrlO2TNeBoKwUDlQOIPowerful Law of Attraction Guided Meditation https://youtu.be/eoUIWlqTm9w?si=tg-6jHRnA5VkDFx4GUIDED MEDITATION PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIA12P7BftG6a18lIWFDjL35&si=bWWub6YyoZpXhFubIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, you can now make a small donation to help fund the continued production of our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee'! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup -Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
Discover the Taoist Law of Attraction ‘Yi Ta Qi Tao' - this ancient teaching will radically change your perspective on manifestation, energy, and alignment.In this episode, we explore how our intention (yi), when it arises from truth and authenticity, naturally guides and attracts the movement of positive life energy (qi)—and how this alignment allows life to unfold with grace, ease, and flow, rather than resistance and control…With your hosts, David James Lees (ordained Taoist monk, emotional and spiritual health teacher) and Alexandra Lees (mindset and business coach).Discover our online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comSubscribe to David's FREE Journal: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Other related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:LAW OF ATTRACTION VIDEO PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIDtpsyrlO2TNeBoKwUDlQOIPowerful Law of Attraction Guided Meditation https://youtu.be/eoUIWlqTm9w?si=tg-6jHRnA5VkDFx4INNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqGOLDEN THREAD PROCESS PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIAsS_wgdRN7QGBKIk54sbyDIs there a question you'd like answered on the show? Submit it at: https://bit.ly/askusyourquestion Join our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity If you love our work, consider making a small donation to help fund our weekly teachings by buying us a 'virtual coffee': https://www.buymeacoffee.com/wuweiwisdom Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup Music by Earth Tree HealingDisclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.
“…They lived freely together giving and taking, and did not know that they were generous.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 76 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
In this Tao Dialogues episode, David explores the gentle, often misunderstood power of being humble.Have you ever thought that being humble makes you weak? Do you find yourself confused between setting healthy boundaries and being submissive? Or perhaps you wonder if humility and ambition can ever walk the same path? Humility is often mistaken for invisibility in a world that values noise, boldness and assertion. You'll learn how humility isn't about hiding but revealing our quiet strength. True humility in Taoism is not about shrinking ourselves or surrendering our values. It is about recognising our place in the vast rhythm of the Cosmos. Read the blog post that inspired this episode: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/p/the-softness-of-humility-a-path-toOur Tao Dialogues are powerful yet gentle teachings about authenticity, spirituality and finding emotional balance and flow in everyday life. These spoken-word episodes draw from David James Lees' practice as a Taoist monk and teacher, and expand upon popular posts on ‘David's Journal', his Substack blog.You can subscribe to David's Journal here: https://davidjameslees.substack.com/Discover David's online consultations, events and shop: https://www.wuweiwisdom.comOther related teachings on our YouTube channel that will help you:The Life Changing Benefits of Being Humble https://youtu.be/UpuPzTYrutk?si=4URiju2Oz4KFexQASHEN (THE SPIRITUAL SELF) PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zIBmp50wYcmU7jCBLp1Qvl-jTAO DIALOGUES PLAYLIST https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICamFP2zMyey3KGTnfm2aUq&si=AW_ZOUeldKv3nHhFINNER CHILD PLAYLIST https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9NQ_PWX4zICGLRS1b7q1HSJhZRash5qqJoin our free Wu Wei Wisdom Community Facebook support group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wuweiwisdomcommunity Book an online Golden Thread Process & Inner Child Consultation with David: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/therapies-for-body-mind/ Follow us on Instagram: @wuweiwisdomSign up to receive a relaxing guided meditation gift, plus our weekly newsletter + offers via email: https://www.wuweiwisdom.com/signup Disclaimer: This podcast and any associated teaching and comments shared are not a substitute for professional therapy, mental health care, crisis support, medical advice, doctor diagnosis, or professional healthcare treatment. Our show episodes provide general information for educational purposes only and are offered as suggestions for you and your professional therapist or healthcare advisor to consider and research.Music by Earth Tree Healing
“…fall into Unbeginning.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 75 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
“Acceptability is a matter of logic: if you do not pursue what is acceptable when you see it, and do not flee what is unacceptable when you see it, acceptability and unacceptability are to each other as left to right, as outside to inside.” — Thomas Cleary, Wen-Tzu, Verse 116 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
“Strange indeed: Nothingness who was not sent, who did not work to find it, had the night-colored Pearl!” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 74 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
Today's wisdom comes from The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. If you're loving Heroic Wisdom Daily, be sure to subscribe to the emails at heroic.us/wisdom-daily. And… Imagine unlocking access to the distilled wisdom form 700+ of the greatest books ever written. That's what Heroic Premium offers: Unlimited access to every Philosopher's Note. Daily inspiration and actionable tools to optimize your energy, work, and love. Personalized coaching features to help you stay consistent and focused Upgrade to Heroic Premium → Know someone who'd love this? Share Heroic Wisdom Daily with them, and let's grow together in 2025! Share Heroic Wisdom Daily →
“That which is not, goes his way. That which moves is what he stands on. Great is small for him, long is short for him, and all his distances are near.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 73 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
“His glory is in knowing that all things come together in one, and life and death are equal.” — Thomas Merton, The Way of Chuang Tzu, Page 71 30 Tools to Stay Sober All Year Round! Here is a link to an online version of the Tao Te Ching that we use in every meeting: https://ttc.tasuki.org/display:Year:1972,1988,1996,2004/section:80 You can download a free PDF of the most current version of Powerless But Not Helpless, a Recovery Interpretation of the Tao Te Ching, at www.BuddyC.org. You are welcome to share, post, and distribute this book anywhere that you believe it will be of help. You can also access a free daily Tao Recovery Email, a list of podcasts, and many other recovery resources. Join our private Facebook group and continue the conversation! Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaoPodcast/ or search Tao of Our understanding Podcast. A Course in Miracles - Daily lessons from the 365-Day Course in Miracles Calendar. See the notes in each entry for a more detailed description. Click Here to add the Course in Miracles Calendar to your Google Calendar Daily Thought is a daily Google Calendar you can add to your Google Calendar. It provides a daily thought that combines elements of Christian, ACIM, Tao, and AA. Click here to add the Daily Thought Calendar to your Google Calendar Nightly 9 pm eastern Zoom A.A. Meeting www.ZoomAAMeetings.com Would you like to receive a free daily topic email with the most popular A.A. resources, accompanied by a secret Facebook group for discussion? Go to www.DailyAAEmails.com for more information!
EVEN MORE about this episode!Step into the mystical with Taoist Master San Qing as we explore how focused intention, ancient wisdom, and spiritual energy can shape your reality. Discover the hidden power of "hopium" and how hope, aligned with purpose, becomes a force for transformation. From miraculous family healings to near-death experiences and the timeless teachings of the Tao Te Ching, this episode uncovers the sacred balance between life and the beyond. Plus, learn how lucid dreaming and breathwork can awaken your true self and unlock unseen realms of healing and insight.Guest Biography:Taoist Master San Qing is a renowned healer, ordained priest, and lineage holder of two ancient Taoist traditions. With over 30 years of experience, he guides people to awaken their true essence—as human, light, and pure being. A master of Qigong and Neigong, San Qing is known for his profound spiritual presence, miraculous healing work, and direct access to the spirit realm. Working with clients worldwide, he channels wisdom from the Tao and the Three Pure Ones, helping others realize that the impossible is truly possible.Episode Chapters:(0:00:01) - The Taoist Path to Create Reality(0:12:26) - Miraculous Healing Stories(0:22:58) - Ancient Wisdom of Lao Tzu(0:27:58) - Exploring Lucid Dreams and Alchemy(0:46:31) - Embarking on a Breathwork Journey➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Español YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Português YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Deutsch YouTube➡️Subscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Français YouTube✏️Ask Julie a Question!
Is AI the end of creativity, or the beginning of a new artistic era? Rick Rubin returns for PT. 2 of his conversation with Ryan about how AI is reshaping creativity and why the real art still lies in the choices we make. They discuss the beauty of unexpected results, the difference between AI generating and iterating, timeless wisdom of the Tao Te Ching, and much more. Rick Rubin is a renowned American record producer and the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. He has produced albums for a wide range of acclaimed artists, including the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, Audioslave, Rage Against the Machine, and Johnny Cash. He has won nine Grammys and has been nominated for 12 more. He has been called “the most important producer of the last 20 years” by MTV and was named on Time‘s list of the “100 Most Influential People in the World”. Check out Rick's latest project The Way of the Code: https://www.thewayofcode.com/Grab copies of Rick's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being at The Painted Porch | https://www.thepaintedporch.comCheck out Rick's podcast Tetragrammaton Follow Rick on Instagram and X @RickRubin
You're doing everything right, staying productive, chasing growth, keeping up. But what if the discomfort you feel isn't a sign that you need to do more, but a signal to let go? In this episode, Charlie Gilkey and I explore the Tao Te Ching, which is one of my favorite books of all time, but not as a relic from the past, but as a guide for navigating the speed and complexities of modern life, including the rise of AI.We talk about how ancient wisdom can live side by side with new technology and how presence, simplicity, and inner alignment still matter, now more than ever,The Tao Te Ching is one of those books I keep coming back to. Ancient wisdom, wrapped in poetry, that somehow feels more relevant every year. Like this line: “If you look to others for happiness, you will never be happy. If your well-being depends on money, you will never be content.“Simple. Clear. Actually useful.I've teamed up with Rebind.ai to create an interactive edition of the Tao—forty essential verses, translated into plain, everyday language, with space to reflect, explore, and ask questions. It's like having a conversation not just with the Tao, but with me too. If you're looking for more clarity, calm, or direction, come check it out here.Key Takeaways:Discussion of the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text attributed to Lao Tzu.Application of Tao Te Ching, teachings to modern life and contemporary challenges.Exploration of themes such as presence, simplicity, and inner alignment.The balance between engagement and busyness in daily life.The metaphor of feeding the “good wolf” within us and acknowledging both positive and negative aspects of our nature.The significance of flexibility and adaptability in navigating life's changes.The importance of mental health and accessibility to support systems.Reflection on the “Three Treasures” of the Tao Te Ching: simplicity, compassion, and patience.The role of philosophy in fostering human connection and understanding.Encouragement to embrace the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, for personal growth and fulfillment.If you enjoyed this conversation with Charlie Gilkey, check out these other episodes:How to Get Things Done with Charlie GilkeyEmbrace the Chaos: Finding Clarity Through Meditation with Henry Shukman (Part 1)For full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What do a fine dining maitre d. A magician burying cards in a backyard and a toddler looking for Elsa have in common? They all show us that magic still exists. If we're willing to care more, than seems reasonable. In this episode, Will Guidara, who's a former co-owner of 11 Madison Park, which was once named the best restaurant in the world, the author of Unreasonable Hospitality and advisor on the hit series The Bear, shares how he transformed a restaurant into the best in the world not through perfection but through moments of radical hospitality. Whether it was sending out hot dogs on fine China or designing hand signals to pour water silently. It was never only about the food, it was about making people feel seen. This is a conversation about joy, about seeing service not as subservience, but as nobility and the kind of creativity that invites connection.The Tao Te Ching is one of those books I keep coming back to. Ancient wisdom, wrapped in poetry, that somehow feels more relevant every year. Like this line: “If you look to others for happiness, you will never be happy. If your well-being depends on money, you will never be content.“Simple. Clear. Actually useful.I've teamed up with Rebind.ai to create an interactive edition of the Tao—forty essential verses, translated into plain, everyday language, with space to reflect, explore, and ask questions. It's like having a conversation not just with the Tao, but with me too. If you're looking for more clarity, calm, or direction, check it out here.Key Takeaways:The concept of hospitality and its significance in various aspects of life.Insights from the restaurant industry and the transformation of dining experiences.The balance between kindness and excellence in service.The importance of making people feel seen and valued.The idea of “unreasonable hospitality” and exceeding expectations.The role of creativity in building meaningful connections.The impact of self-care and generosity in service roles.Navigating relationships and managing people effectively.The value of criticism as an investment in personal growth.The importance of community and connection in fostering relationships.Will Guidara: Website | Instagram | LinkedInIf you enjoyed this conversation with Will Guidara, check out these other episodes:How to Connect More Deeply With the World with James CrewsHow to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection with Charles DuhiggFor full show notes, click here!Connect with the show:Follow us on YouTube: @TheOneYouFeedPodSubscribe on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyFollow us on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.