TAO is a way of life based on the profound wisdom of Lao Tzu, an ancient sage from China, more than 2600 years ago. His wisdom, concisely and preciselyexpressed in his immortal classic TAO TE CHING, can be expressed in every aspect of contemporary life and living, such as love, money, career, health, relationships, and among many others. TAO is of everything and in everything. It is a pathless path of humanity to live as if everything is a miracle.
THE TAO OF ANTI-DEPRESSION
TAO is neither a religion nor a philosophy.
TAO is simply a way of life about the Way of life, that is, a general way of thinking about everything in life. It is a pathless path of humanity to live a life of balance and harmony.
TAO is the Way through anything and everything in life in order to fully experience them and live in balance and harmony. TAO is not about avoiding or getting out of anything unhappy and undesirable in everyday life, such as depression; rather, it is about going through depression by experiencing every aspect of it in order to become enlightened, if possible, with the profound human wisdom to continue living in peace and harmony in a world of depression.
TAO is looking at life not as a series of both happy and unhappy episodes, but simply as a journey of self-discovery and self-awakening to the real meaning of life existence. You are defined not by your words and thoughts, but by the ways you act and react, as well as the impact you may have on others around you. You exist not because you are simply here; you are here in this world to love and to learn how to live, as well as to help one another do the same.
TAO is formless, shapeless, and inexplicable in words; after all, it had existed long before there were even words. TAO is infinite human wisdom, which is a pathless path to the infinity and the origin of all things.
TAO is not about making your life any easier or better; it is about acceptance of all aspects of your humanity that need to be fully experienced, embraced, and then to be let go of in order to become wholesome at other times of your life and living -- that is the essence of TAO wisdom, which is true enlightenment of the human mind.
Living in a world of depression, you might want everything your way or no way. But TAO is the Way through your depression, enabling you to understand how and why you might have your depression in the first place. It is this profound understanding of the causes of your depression that may ultimately help you get out of your depression. Given that depression is a disorder of the mind: it is all about perceptions, your perceptions that lead to your depression.
My Way! No Way! TAO Is the Way!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
TAO is neither a religion nor a philosophy.
TAO is simply a way of life about the Way of life, that is, a general way of thinking about everything in life. It is a pathless path of humanity to live a life of balance and harmony.
TAO is the Way through anything and everything in life in order to fully experience them and live in balance and harmony. TAO is not about avoiding or getting out of anything unhappy and undesirable in everyday life, such as depression; rather, it is about going through depression by experiencing every aspect of it in order to become enlightened, if possible, with the profound human wisdom to continue living in peace and harmony in a world of depression.
TAO is looking at life not as a series of both happy and unhappy episodes, but simply as a journey of self-discovery and self-awakening to the real meaning of life existence. You are defined not by your words and thoughts, but by the ways you act and react, as well as the impact you may have on others around you. You exist not because you are simply here; you are here in this world to love and to learn how to live, as well as to help one another do the same.
TAO is formless, shapeless, and inexplicable in words; after all, it had existed long before there were even words. TAO is infinite human wisdom, which is a pathless path to the infinity and the origin of all things.
TAO is not about making your life any easier or better; it is about acceptance of all aspects of your humanity that need to be fully experienced, embraced, and then to be let go of in order to become wholesome at other times of your life and living -- that is the essence of TAO wisdom, which is true enlightenment of the human mind.
Living in a world of depression, you might want everything your way or no way. But TAO is the Way through your depression, enabling you to understand how and why you might have your depression in the first place. It is this profound understanding of the causes of your depression that may ultimately help you get out of your depression. Given that depression is a disorder of the mind: it is all about perceptions, your perceptions that lead to your depression.
My Way! No Way! TAO Is the Way!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE TAO OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM
Lao Tzu has said that the human eye can see only the manifestations of the things created by the Creator; only with spirituality or spiritual wisdom may one perceive also the mysteries of the creation, which is the perception and the intuition of the inextricable wisdom of the Creator. That is to say, humans see only the things created, but not why and how they were created, unless they have spiritual wisdom, the access to which requires only profound human wisdom.
“Every manifestation attests to the mysteries of His creation.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5)
“Likewise, we watch the comings and goings
of our likes and dislikes, of our desires and fears.
But we do not identify with them.
With no judgment and no preference,
we see the mysteries of creation.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 7)
Unaware of our true self, we tend to identify ourselves with our thoughts and feelings, and we then may have become what we think we are. In that way, we have become a character on a big movie screen, but that is not the person we really are, because we are just spectators, and not the persons on the big screen. We have no separate self, and therefore we should not allow the separate self to control and misguide us in our everyday life and living. We should become only the spectators of, and not the participants on, that big movie screen.
As the spectators, we no longer overdo in any undertaking, we no longer judge or choose, and we no longer expect any result of our effort -- we just do what we are supposed to do, no more and no less.
“We accept all that is simple and humble.
We embrace the good fortune and the misfortune.
Thus, we become masters of every situation.
We overcome the painful and the difficult in our lives. That is why the Way seems paradoxical.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 78)
And this is especially true when the Creator is impartial to all of us, with no exception. But humans often choose to think otherwise: the Creator seems to give good fortune to some, and misfortune to others.
“The Creator has no judgment, no preference:
He treats everything and everyone alike.
Every manifestation attests to the mysteries of His creations.
So, we, too, embrace everything and everyone with no judgment, no preference.
His grace, never depleting and forever replenishing, shows us the Way.
Judgment and preference separate us from His grace, causing attachment.
Only with His grace do we find renewal and rebirth along the Way.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5)
With humility, we can grow in spirituality with the help of His grace.
“Living by the Spirit, we choose a simple and humble lifestyle.
We meditate to enhance our spirituality.
We love our neighbors as ourselves.
We express compassion to all.
We speak with truth and sincerity.
We live in the present moment.
We take action only when necessary.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8)
TAO: The Way to Biblical Wisdom
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Lao Tzu has said that the human eye can see only the manifestations of the things created by the Creator; only with spirituality or spiritual wisdom may one perceive also the mysteries of the creation, which is the perception and the intuition of the inextricable wisdom of the Creator. That is to say, humans see only the things created, but not why and how they were created, unless they have spiritual wisdom, the access to which requires only profound human wisdom.
“Every manifestation attests to the mysteries of His creation.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5)
“Likewise, we watch the comings and goings
of our likes and dislikes, of our desires and fears.
But we do not identify with them.
With no judgment and no preference,
we see the mysteries of creation.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 7)
Unaware of our true self, we tend to identify ourselves with our thoughts and feelings, and we then may have become what we think we are. In that way, we have become a character on a big movie screen, but that is not the person we really are, because we are just spectators, and not the persons on the big screen. We have no separate self, and therefore we should not allow the separate self to control and misguide us in our everyday life and living. We should become only the spectators of, and not the participants on, that big movie screen.
As the spectators, we no longer overdo in any undertaking, we no longer judge or choose, and we no longer expect any result of our effort -- we just do what we are supposed to do, no more and no less.
“We accept all that is simple and humble.
We embrace the good fortune and the misfortune.
Thus, we become masters of every situation.
We overcome the painful and the difficult in our lives. That is why the Way seems paradoxical.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 78)
And this is especially true when the Creator is impartial to all of us, with no exception. But humans often choose to think otherwise: the Creator seems to give good fortune to some, and misfortune to others.
“The Creator has no judgment, no preference:
He treats everything and everyone alike.
Every manifestation attests to the mysteries of His creations.
So, we, too, embrace everything and everyone with no judgment, no preference.
His grace, never depleting and forever replenishing, shows us the Way.
Judgment and preference separate us from His grace, causing attachment.
Only with His grace do we find renewal and rebirth along the Way.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 5)
With humility, we can grow in spirituality with the help of His grace.
“Living by the Spirit, we choose a simple and humble lifestyle.
We meditate to enhance our spirituality.
We love our neighbors as ourselves.
We express compassion to all.
We speak with truth and sincerity.
We live in the present moment.
We take action only when necessary.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, Chapter 8)
TAO: The Way to Biblical Wisdom
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE TAO OF JOY AND HAPPINESS
In this world, there are many people who are unhappy most of the time, if not all of the time. Depression is no respecter of persons. Unhappy people have some common characteristics.
Identity crisis
They do not know who they really are. That is, they may have falsely identified themselves with something in the world they are living in, such as “I am a successful businessman” or “I am a good mother.”
Once they have created for themselves their false identities, they naturally feel the need to protect and preserve their self-created images. In doing so, they desperately want to control and protect their destinies, such as avoiding what they fear might taint their preserved identities, or repeating what they previously did in order to sustain and substantiate their false identities.
As an example, a “successful businessman” might want to overwork in order to avoid in future all possible failures in his or her business, or to repeat in future all his or her past successful business endeavors.
As another example, a “good mother” might strive to control the behaviors of her children in order to control and shape them into the individuals she wants them to become to prove that she is indeed a "good mother."
In the process of protecting and sustaining that identity, stress is not only unduly created but also aggravated by all outcomes falling short of their expectations. Nowadays, many people are living just to escape their yesterday’s pains and to anticipate their tomorrow’s pleasures; unfortunately, they are only on the road to more unhappiness, and not less.
According to TAO you are who you are, and not who you would like to become.
Not letting go
The unhappy people simply refuse to let go of what they think belong permanently to them; they anticipate what they think they rightly deserve through their efforts to control or influence the outcomes of events in their lives. They are afraid of any unforeseeable change, especially death that often puts an end to everything they have delusively created for themselves.
The TAO of joy and happiness
If we live according to the TAO of joy, we should have no identity crisis, because without an ego-self, we know who we really are, and not being someone we wish we were. If we live according to the TAO of happiness, we should never become depressed, because we let go of anything and everything in life -- the good as well as the bad, the pleasant as well as the unpleasant. We just embrace anything and everything that comes along our life journey. No letting go is the underlying cause of human unhappiness, because we erroneously believe that everything lasts forever, especially all the good things in life.
The Happiness Wisdom
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
In this world, there are many people who are unhappy most of the time, if not all of the time. Depression is no respecter of persons. Unhappy people have some common characteristics.
Identity crisis
They do not know who they really are. That is, they may have falsely identified themselves with something in the world they are living in, such as “I am a successful businessman” or “I am a good mother.”
Once they have created for themselves their false identities, they naturally feel the need to protect and preserve their self-created images. In doing so, they desperately want to control and protect their destinies, such as avoiding what they fear might taint their preserved identities, or repeating what they previously did in order to sustain and substantiate their false identities.
As an example, a “successful businessman” might want to overwork in order to avoid in future all possible failures in his or her business, or to repeat in future all his or her past successful business endeavors.
As another example, a “good mother” might strive to control the behaviors of her children in order to control and shape them into the individuals she wants them to become to prove that she is indeed a "good mother."
In the process of protecting and sustaining that identity, stress is not only unduly created but also aggravated by all outcomes falling short of their expectations. Nowadays, many people are living just to escape their yesterday’s pains and to anticipate their tomorrow’s pleasures; unfortunately, they are only on the road to more unhappiness, and not less.
According to TAO you are who you are, and not who you would like to become.
Not letting go
The unhappy people simply refuse to let go of what they think belong permanently to them; they anticipate what they think they rightly deserve through their efforts to control or influence the outcomes of events in their lives. They are afraid of any unforeseeable change, especially death that often puts an end to everything they have delusively created for themselves.
The TAO of joy and happiness
If we live according to the TAO of joy, we should have no identity crisis, because without an ego-self, we know who we really are, and not being someone we wish we were. If we live according to the TAO of happiness, we should never become depressed, because we let go of anything and everything in life -- the good as well as the bad, the pleasant as well as the unpleasant. We just embrace anything and everything that comes along our life journey. No letting go is the underlying cause of human unhappiness, because we erroneously believe that everything lasts forever, especially all the good things in life.
The Happiness Wisdom
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
SAMPLING SOME OF LAO TZU'S WISDOM QUOTES
”That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails,
Must first be strong.
That which is cast down
Must first be raised.
Before receiving, there must be giving.
This is called perception of the nature of things.
Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 36)
The truth of the matter is that everything in life must follow a natural cycle, whether we like it or not, and that we must be patient because nothing is within our control, especially our destinies.
******************************************************
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death; day is followed by night-just like the cycle of the four seasons.
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death; day is followed by night-just like the cycle of the four seasons.
"Allowing things to come and go,
following their natural laws,
we gain everything.
Straining and striving,
we lose everything."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 48)
Intuition of spontaneity is an understanding of the impermanence of all things: nothing lasts no matter how we strive to keep the impermanent permanent, and everything remains only with that present moment.
"Strong winds come and go.
So do torrential rains.
Even heaven and earth cannot make them last forever."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 23)
******************************************************
“Everything that happens to us is beneficial.
Everything that we experience is instructional.
Everyone that we meet, good or bad, becomes our teacher or student.
We learn from both the good and the bad.
So, stop picking and choosing.
Everything is a manifestation of the mysteries of creation."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 27)
Embracing everything is beneficial because it holds the key to enlightenment, which is the understanding of what Tao wisdom is all about. Therefore, we should not pick this or choose that. Picking and choosing is the source of all human miseries; it generates remorse, as well as frustration and disappointment.
"In the same manner:
sometimes we have more,
sometimes we have less;
sometimes we exert ourselves,
sometimes we pull back;
sometimes we succeed,
sometimes we fail.
Trusting in the Creator, we see the comings and goings of things,
but without straining and striving to control them.
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 29)
******************************************************
"Simplicity is clarity.
It is a blessing to learn from those
with humble simplicity.
Those with an empty mind
will learn to find the Way.
The Way reveals the secrets of the universe:
the mysteries of the realm of creation;
the manifestations of all things created.
The essence of the Way is to show us
how to live in fullness and return to our origin."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 65)
Simplicity is the first step towards detachment, which is the key to unlocking the door to happiness. Live a simple lifestyle, deleting all the trimmings of life and living.
Attachment to all the trimmings of life and living boosts the ego, leading to pride, which is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Humility, the opposite of pride, holds the key to having a good relationship with the Creator, without which, there is no enlightenment, and hence no wisdom to the secrets of the universe and the mysteries of the realm of creation-the manifestations of all things created.
******************************************************
"watchful, like a man crossing a winter stream;
alert, like a man aware of danger;
courteous, like a visiting guest;
yielding, like ice about to melt;
simple, like a piece of uncarved wood;
hollow, like a cave;
opaque, like muddy water."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 15)
Mindfulness is mental sharpness to know what is happening in the mind that brings about clarity of thinking, which is essential to human wisdom.
There is a close connection between the body and the mind. This body-mind connection in humans affects both the physical and the mental health of an individual, especially how that individual thinks and reacts. It is important to put the mind where the body is. For example, your body is now here-reading this book. But your mind may be somewhere else: your mind may be preoccupied with thoughts of the past, the present, or even the future. In other words, your mind may be rambling and disconnected, although you may not be aware of it. A chaotic mind produces adverse and detrimental biological and chemical changes, such as the production of stress hormones, and the reduction of human growth hormone (HGH), among others, that may accelerate the aging process in both the body and the mind.
Mindfulness begins with the body. Becoming mindful of your body in the present moment is putting your mind where your body is. This produces deep relaxation of both the body and mind-an essential element for clarity of thinking that may be the pathway to attaining true human wisdom.
The bottom line: Be watchful as if you were crossing a winter stream, fully aware of what is happening in the present moment.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
”That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails,
Must first be strong.
That which is cast down
Must first be raised.
Before receiving, there must be giving.
This is called perception of the nature of things.
Soft and weak overcome hard and strong.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 36)
The truth of the matter is that everything in life must follow a natural cycle, whether we like it or not, and that we must be patient because nothing is within our control, especially our destinies.
******************************************************
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death; day is followed by night-just like the cycle of the four seasons.
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death; day is followed by night-just like the cycle of the four seasons.
"Allowing things to come and go,
following their natural laws,
we gain everything.
Straining and striving,
we lose everything."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 48)
Intuition of spontaneity is an understanding of the impermanence of all things: nothing lasts no matter how we strive to keep the impermanent permanent, and everything remains only with that present moment.
"Strong winds come and go.
So do torrential rains.
Even heaven and earth cannot make them last forever."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 23)
******************************************************
“Everything that happens to us is beneficial.
Everything that we experience is instructional.
Everyone that we meet, good or bad, becomes our teacher or student.
We learn from both the good and the bad.
So, stop picking and choosing.
Everything is a manifestation of the mysteries of creation."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 27)
Embracing everything is beneficial because it holds the key to enlightenment, which is the understanding of what Tao wisdom is all about. Therefore, we should not pick this or choose that. Picking and choosing is the source of all human miseries; it generates remorse, as well as frustration and disappointment.
"In the same manner:
sometimes we have more,
sometimes we have less;
sometimes we exert ourselves,
sometimes we pull back;
sometimes we succeed,
sometimes we fail.
Trusting in the Creator, we see the comings and goings of things,
but without straining and striving to control them.
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 29)
******************************************************
"Simplicity is clarity.
It is a blessing to learn from those
with humble simplicity.
Those with an empty mind
will learn to find the Way.
The Way reveals the secrets of the universe:
the mysteries of the realm of creation;
the manifestations of all things created.
The essence of the Way is to show us
how to live in fullness and return to our origin."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 65)
Simplicity is the first step towards detachment, which is the key to unlocking the door to happiness. Live a simple lifestyle, deleting all the trimmings of life and living.
Attachment to all the trimmings of life and living boosts the ego, leading to pride, which is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Humility, the opposite of pride, holds the key to having a good relationship with the Creator, without which, there is no enlightenment, and hence no wisdom to the secrets of the universe and the mysteries of the realm of creation-the manifestations of all things created.
******************************************************
"watchful, like a man crossing a winter stream;
alert, like a man aware of danger;
courteous, like a visiting guest;
yielding, like ice about to melt;
simple, like a piece of uncarved wood;
hollow, like a cave;
opaque, like muddy water."
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 15)
Mindfulness is mental sharpness to know what is happening in the mind that brings about clarity of thinking, which is essential to human wisdom.
There is a close connection between the body and the mind. This body-mind connection in humans affects both the physical and the mental health of an individual, especially how that individual thinks and reacts. It is important to put the mind where the body is. For example, your body is now here-reading this book. But your mind may be somewhere else: your mind may be preoccupied with thoughts of the past, the present, or even the future. In other words, your mind may be rambling and disconnected, although you may not be aware of it. A chaotic mind produces adverse and detrimental biological and chemical changes, such as the production of stress hormones, and the reduction of human growth hormone (HGH), among others, that may accelerate the aging process in both the body and the mind.
Mindfulness begins with the body. Becoming mindful of your body in the present moment is putting your mind where your body is. This produces deep relaxation of both the body and mind-an essential element for clarity of thinking that may be the pathway to attaining true human wisdom.
The bottom line: Be watchful as if you were crossing a winter stream, fully aware of what is happening in the present moment.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE TAO OF EMPTINESS
We all want abundance, not emptiness. We all desire abundance in education, family, relationships, profession, and wealth; nobody wants emptiness -- one thing nobody wants in life. Abundance often becomes attachments in our lives.
The TAO of emptiness, ironically enough, enables us to attain the ultimate truths of life and living, which is wisdom in living. To attain this wisdom, we need emptiness. First of all, we need an empty mind with reverse thinking to think differently, not according to conventional wisdom. Then, we need to become empty consciously, which is letting go of all attachments. Attachments are emotional distractions of the mind that prevent clarity of thinking, without which there is no access to the ultimate truths of life and living. Knowing these ultimate truths enable you to live as if everything is a miracle.
Before we can receive, we must let go first. Letting go of all attachments to the material world is the first step we must take. It is more blessed to give than to receive. But many of us don't believe in that: instead, we think we will give out or let go after we have already received. Letting go is difficult because it requires the profound human wisdom of Lao Tzu.
Emptiness leads to enlightenment. If spiritual wisdom has to enter you and manifest itself within you, it will need empty space. With enlightenment, you will become a better and a happier person. With enlightenment, you will live a stress-free life. Learn how to overcome your stress by letting go of your ego-self first and foremost.
No Ego No Stress!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
We all want abundance, not emptiness. We all desire abundance in education, family, relationships, profession, and wealth; nobody wants emptiness -- one thing nobody wants in life. Abundance often becomes attachments in our lives.
The TAO of emptiness, ironically enough, enables us to attain the ultimate truths of life and living, which is wisdom in living. To attain this wisdom, we need emptiness. First of all, we need an empty mind with reverse thinking to think differently, not according to conventional wisdom. Then, we need to become empty consciously, which is letting go of all attachments. Attachments are emotional distractions of the mind that prevent clarity of thinking, without which there is no access to the ultimate truths of life and living. Knowing these ultimate truths enable you to live as if everything is a miracle.
Before we can receive, we must let go first. Letting go of all attachments to the material world is the first step we must take. It is more blessed to give than to receive. But many of us don't believe in that: instead, we think we will give out or let go after we have already received. Letting go is difficult because it requires the profound human wisdom of Lao Tzu.
Emptiness leads to enlightenment. If spiritual wisdom has to enter you and manifest itself within you, it will need empty space. With enlightenment, you will become a better and a happier person. With enlightenment, you will live a stress-free life. Learn how to overcome your stress by letting go of your ego-self first and foremost.
No Ego No Stress!
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Life is a natural cycle -- life is followed by death, just as day followed by night. Nothing lasts. Learn to let go.
Lao Tzu: “Live in the NOW.” The past was gone, the future is yet to come; only the present is real. It’s a gift; that’s why it is “present.”
If happiness is to be found in things that are outside, instead of inside, yourself, you may have easily become unhappy and depressed.
Albert Einstein: “Thinking is difficult; that is why so few people do it.” To become wiser, you must do your thinking, and do it often.
Tao Wisdom:
”That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails,
Must first be strong."
Everything follows a natural cycle, so accept and embrace.
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural life cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death.
Intuition of spontaneity is knowing the impermanence of all things: nothing lasts no matter how we strive to keep the impermanent permanent.
Embracing everything is wisdom because it holds the key to enlightenment, which is TAO wisdom.
If Tao wisdom could be summarized in one word, it is the word "humility."
Humility is the enemy of the ego, pride is its friend. Ego is the source of human miseries.
Don't avoid depression, which we all have. The happiness wisdom is to experience it by going through it to become enlightened.
Your ego wants you to become better than others. In the process, it stresses you, making you unhappy.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Lao Tzu: “Live in the NOW.” The past was gone, the future is yet to come; only the present is real. It’s a gift; that’s why it is “present.”
If happiness is to be found in things that are outside, instead of inside, yourself, you may have easily become unhappy and depressed.
Albert Einstein: “Thinking is difficult; that is why so few people do it.” To become wiser, you must do your thinking, and do it often.
Tao Wisdom:
”That which shrinks
Must first expand.
That which fails,
Must first be strong."
Everything follows a natural cycle, so accept and embrace.
Spontaneity is the essence of the natural life cycle. What goes up must eventually come down; life begets death.
Intuition of spontaneity is knowing the impermanence of all things: nothing lasts no matter how we strive to keep the impermanent permanent.
Embracing everything is wisdom because it holds the key to enlightenment, which is TAO wisdom.
If Tao wisdom could be summarized in one word, it is the word "humility."
Humility is the enemy of the ego, pride is its friend. Ego is the source of human miseries.
Don't avoid depression, which we all have. The happiness wisdom is to experience it by going through it to become enlightened.
Your ego wants you to become better than others. In the process, it stresses you, making you unhappy.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
THE TAO OF PATIENCE AND PERSEVERANCE
When confronted with life crises and challenges, we often tend to focus on ourselves instead of giving the best of ourselves to others. Again, when we are afflicted with a disease or disorder, we focus so much on our recovery that we have lost sight of our patience, which is a human virtue that can help us through the prognosis of the disease or disorder with persistence.
Patience is a proactive virtue that requires much inner strength to face difficulties encountered in life. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, patience may enable you to bear suffering and sorrow in such a way that you do not become broken by negative thoughts such that you forsake the way of virtue. Patience lets you stay on course with your life, even when you are afflicted with a disease. If you close in on yourself when you experience tragedies, you will not be attentive to the needs of others or other things that may help your recovery. The more you are obsessed with your own problems, the more you are unpleasant to be around, and the more depressed and isolated you may become.
Patience is a virtue that may help you bear sadness in such a way that you do not deviate from the humanitarian course you are on. With patience, you learn also how to persevere.
According to John Quincy Adams, patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties may disappear and obstacles vanish.
Many years ago when I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, one of the many autoimmune diseases, I not only was patient with my slow recovery (without taking toxic steroid drugs), but also persevered in my self-healing process until all my symptoms had disappeared without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. It was a miracle for me, because according to Western medicine, there is no cure for autoimmune diseases.
The TAO of patience and perseverance shows you how to focus on others instead of allowing your own negative emotions to gnaw at you. The TAO of being wise in life challenges transforms you into a better and happier individual.
Be A Better and Happier You With Tao Wisdom.
Stephen Lau
Copyright © Stephen Lau
When confronted with life crises and challenges, we often tend to focus on ourselves instead of giving the best of ourselves to others. Again, when we are afflicted with a disease or disorder, we focus so much on our recovery that we have lost sight of our patience, which is a human virtue that can help us through the prognosis of the disease or disorder with persistence.
Patience is a proactive virtue that requires much inner strength to face difficulties encountered in life. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, patience may enable you to bear suffering and sorrow in such a way that you do not become broken by negative thoughts such that you forsake the way of virtue. Patience lets you stay on course with your life, even when you are afflicted with a disease. If you close in on yourself when you experience tragedies, you will not be attentive to the needs of others or other things that may help your recovery. The more you are obsessed with your own problems, the more you are unpleasant to be around, and the more depressed and isolated you may become.
Patience is a virtue that may help you bear sadness in such a way that you do not deviate from the humanitarian course you are on. With patience, you learn also how to persevere.
According to John Quincy Adams, patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties may disappear and obstacles vanish.
Many years ago when I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, one of the many autoimmune diseases, I not only was patient with my slow recovery (without taking toxic steroid drugs), but also persevered in my self-healing process until all my symptoms had disappeared without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. It was a miracle for me, because according to Western medicine, there is no cure for autoimmune diseases.
The TAO of patience and perseverance shows you how to focus on others instead of allowing your own negative emotions to gnaw at you. The TAO of being wise in life challenges transforms you into a better and happier individual.
Be A Better and Happier You With Tao Wisdom.
Stephen Lau
Copyright © Stephen Lau
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ANYTHING IS EVERYTHING
EVERYTHING IS NOTHING
NOTHING IS EVERYTHING
ANYTHING IS EVERYTHING
EVERYTHING IS NOTHING
NOTHING IS EVERYTHING
An illustration of anything is everything
In 2012, a Chinese couple from Hong Kong filed a lawsuit against an education consultant in the United States for $2 million dollars, who promised that he could-but ultimately did not-get their two sons into Harvard University.
The couple had used “improper” but maybe still perfectly “legal” means to get their two sons into Harvard University.
Getting into an elite college or university may be everything to many students, including their parents. Some might even resort to doing anything in order to achieve that goal, which is everything to them.
A similar illustration
A pastor from Hong Kong was invited to give a sermon in China. A woman from the congregation asked the pastor if it was “right” to give money to get her son into an elite school in China. The pastor replied by saying: “Your son getting into that elite school would also imply depriving another child of that same opportunity you are seeking for your child.”
A year later, the pastor met the same woman, who told him that her son had got into that elite school but without using her kwganxi or connection. The pastor then said to her: “See, God is in control; if you would just let Him.”
Now, what is your own take on “anything is everything”?
A Frog in a Well
In many ways, many of us are just like a frog in a well, looking up at the limited sky above, in that we see only ourselves, and no one else, and therefore anything is everything to us. In other words, we see only our own needs and our own desires that have to be fulfilled and gratified no matter how, but without seeing those in others.
Just like the Chinese couple who saw only their desire to get their two sons into Harvard University, but without considering that their “improper action” might also deprive the opportunity of two other students to get into Harvard University.
The above example demonstrates one major human flaw-the “inflated” ego-self, which is focusing too much on “anything is everything” related to an individual’s ego-self.
Remember, we are all created to be in this world for only one purpose: to be our true self. Conventional wisdom often tells us to find our role model, pursue our life goals based on that role model. Subconsciously, we may all begin to dream that we are that role model or someone else that we are not, instead of being who we are supposed to be. That is how we may all have created an ego for ourselves; worse, we may even believe that we have to do anything and everything to gratify our ego-self in order to feel happy and contented.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Click here to get your book.
In 2012, a Chinese couple from Hong Kong filed a lawsuit against an education consultant in the United States for $2 million dollars, who promised that he could-but ultimately did not-get their two sons into Harvard University.
The couple had used “improper” but maybe still perfectly “legal” means to get their two sons into Harvard University.
Getting into an elite college or university may be everything to many students, including their parents. Some might even resort to doing anything in order to achieve that goal, which is everything to them.
A similar illustration
A pastor from Hong Kong was invited to give a sermon in China. A woman from the congregation asked the pastor if it was “right” to give money to get her son into an elite school in China. The pastor replied by saying: “Your son getting into that elite school would also imply depriving another child of that same opportunity you are seeking for your child.”
A year later, the pastor met the same woman, who told him that her son had got into that elite school but without using her kwganxi or connection. The pastor then said to her: “See, God is in control; if you would just let Him.”
Now, what is your own take on “anything is everything”?
A Frog in a Well
In many ways, many of us are just like a frog in a well, looking up at the limited sky above, in that we see only ourselves, and no one else, and therefore anything is everything to us. In other words, we see only our own needs and our own desires that have to be fulfilled and gratified no matter how, but without seeing those in others.
Just like the Chinese couple who saw only their desire to get their two sons into Harvard University, but without considering that their “improper action” might also deprive the opportunity of two other students to get into Harvard University.
The above example demonstrates one major human flaw-the “inflated” ego-self, which is focusing too much on “anything is everything” related to an individual’s ego-self.
Remember, we are all created to be in this world for only one purpose: to be our true self. Conventional wisdom often tells us to find our role model, pursue our life goals based on that role model. Subconsciously, we may all begin to dream that we are that role model or someone else that we are not, instead of being who we are supposed to be. That is how we may all have created an ego for ourselves; worse, we may even believe that we have to do anything and everything to gratify our ego-self in order to feel happy and contented.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
Click here to get your book.
Click here to get the ancient wisdom, the Biblical wisdom, and the contemporary wisdom to live a life of balance and harmony as if everything is a miracle.
Trusting with Lasting Satisfaction
“Trusting the Creator, we concentrate on the Creator.
Relying on ourselves, we focus on our ego.
Our greatest suffering comes from
not knowing who we are, or to whom we belong.sting
Our greatest unhappiness comes from
wanting more than what the Creator provides.
Our greatest satisfaction of contentment
is the lasting satisfaction.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 46)
Wisdom is the capability to know the ultimate truths of all things.
You think, and your thoughts become your realities. But are they really?
Let go of recognition, and you will have inner peace of contentment and lasting satisfaction.
Accomplish Without Striving
“Without going out the door, we know the world.
Without looking out the window, we see the Creator.
The more we look outside ourselves,
the less we know about anything.
Trusting the Creator, the ancient prophets
knew without doing, understood without seeing.
Trusting the Creator, we accomplish without striving.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 47)
Wisdom is already inside you. Just look and ask yourself many self-intuitive questions.
Enlightenment comes when you have no more questions to ask, because you already have all the answers.
When you seek to know more, you find that you understand less-this is the paradox of enlightenment.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
“Trusting the Creator, we concentrate on the Creator.
Relying on ourselves, we focus on our ego.
Our greatest suffering comes from
not knowing who we are, or to whom we belong.sting
Our greatest unhappiness comes from
wanting more than what the Creator provides.
Our greatest satisfaction of contentment
is the lasting satisfaction.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 46)
Wisdom is the capability to know the ultimate truths of all things.
You think, and your thoughts become your realities. But are they really?
Let go of recognition, and you will have inner peace of contentment and lasting satisfaction.
Accomplish Without Striving
“Without going out the door, we know the world.
Without looking out the window, we see the Creator.
The more we look outside ourselves,
the less we know about anything.
Trusting the Creator, the ancient prophets
knew without doing, understood without seeing.
Trusting the Creator, we accomplish without striving.”
(Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 47)
Wisdom is already inside you. Just look and ask yourself many self-intuitive questions.
Enlightenment comes when you have no more questions to ask, because you already have all the answers.
When you seek to know more, you find that you understand less-this is the paradox of enlightenment.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
