Tod Talks with William Martin, author of “Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching.” We discuss his transformation from pastor to Taoist, the liberation Taoism offers from societal conditioning, and how it counters today’s constant wave of mediated information. William also reflects on learning from Alan Watts at the Esalen Institute, explores fear and safety, and explains wu-wei, the art of effortless action.
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I enjoy your show and have gotten a lot out of it, including this one. But at the same time, I am struggling with the notion that the best thing to do during these fraught political times is to tune out, look within, and not engage as both you and William Martin suggest. It seems to me that our country is at a scary precipice where our democracy is at stake and many people — especially those who are less privileged — are in serious danger. Assuming these fears are legitimate, how does Taoist practice reconcile our responsibility to the vulnerable among us and to do justice. I’d appreciate any guidance you have to share.
Hey Andy! Thanks for your thoughts. Apologies if I came off as non-caring in the episode. To elaborate, one can help those most vulnerable without being subject to the 24-hour news cycle. Further, politics is just one of the myriad ways people can help one another, so I think one can be a positive force for change in society without having to endure the daily chaos. Judging by his writings, Lao Tzu was a big fan of compassion and taking effective action without wasting any extra effort. I think he’d say the best way to take action is to do so using your unique skills that no one else can bring to the table. Also, for balance, he’d probably warn against fighting against things that are impossible to change and to be wary of trusting those in power.