How Lao Tzu Aligned with the Tao

In this podcast, we will explain how the Taoist sage is a mirror reflection of the eternal nature of Heaven and Earth. The secret to lasting forever is embodied in the nature of how the Tao is and we need to emulate that nature within our own lives. Find out what this secret is in the seventh episode of the 81 Meditations of the Tao Te Ching, a series where we explore each chapter of the Tao Te Ching. We will dissect chapter seven of the Tao Te Ching to give you ultimate clarity on the meaning of this chapter.

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[birgitbofarull]

What a flow between you two: Dao absolute. Thank you

[AlanPhan]

TLDR: Aligning with the Tao means selflessly serving something greater than oneself and doing what is right without seeking recognition or attachment to outcomes.

1. 00:00 📜 Heaven and earth last forever because they are selfless and in accord with the Tao, representing the eternal nature of Daoism and the secret to lasting forever.
1.1 The video explains the seventh chapter of the Tao Te Ching and examines two different translations to uncover the hidden meaning.
1.2 Heaven and earth last forever because they are selfless and detached, representing the eternal nature of the Tao.
1.3 Heaven and earth are everlasting because they are in accord with the Tao, providing much more than themselves, and this can be experienced through love and an elevated perception.
1.4 Heaven and earth have always existed and will continue to exist, outlasting human beings, and are closely related to the Tao in Daoism.
1.5 Understanding the naturalness of heaven and earth, and how they do not exist for themselves, allows us to align with the Tao.
1.6 The secret to lasting forever is not existing for oneself, but rather having an intrinsic energy source beyond qualities and changes.

2. 07:15 🌿 Aligning with the Tao means letting go of resistance and moving in harmony with the natural flow of life, embodying intrinsic virtue and effortless existence, while societal influences lead us to oppose our innate goodness and strive for success based on societal values.
2.1 Aligning with the Tao means letting go of resistance and moving in harmony with the natural flow of life, like heaven and earth, in order to embody intrinsic virtue and effortless existence.
2.2 Socialization warps our innate nature, leading people to oppose the idea of innate goodness in the world.
2.3 Humans are inherently good, but societal influences and conditioning lead us to go against our natural state, as explained by Lao Tzu.
2.4 Socialization teaches us to strive for success based on societal values, but we should instead align with the Tao, put the brakes on, and realize that we are fundamentally taken care of.
2.5 Constantly swimming against the flow of the Tao leads to societal unrest and wrong decisions, resulting in a global panic attack.

3. 13:04 🌿 Align with the Tao by focusing on the bigger picture, providing nourishment for all, and living for the survival of others to eliminate stress and anxiety.
3.1 Heaven and earth last forever because they exist for something greater, and we too can exist for something much greater than our own life by aligning with the Tao.
3.2 Focus on the bigger picture and align with the Tao by stepping back and centering oneself, as heaven and earth exist for all living beings and follow their own path.
3.3 The sage, like the useless tree, provides nourishment for all without discrimination, aligning with the Tao.
3.4 The idea of separation and selfishness becomes ingrained at a young age, but aligning with the Tao involves elevating perception and working on one's own psyche.
3.5 Don't worry about possessions or recognition, as the constant focus on self and selfishness is anti-spiritual and leads to overthinking and overanalysis.
3.6 Constantly thinking about ourselves creates anxiety, but living for the survival of others eliminates stress and duality, reducing anxiety and depression.

4. 22:02 🌿 Living for something greater than oneself leads to greater fulfillment, sages lead with humility and seek low places in life, and individualism has led to a loss of value in the world.
4.1 Heaven and earth last forever because they don't try to outlast others, and this idea applies to life in general.
4.2 Living for something greater than oneself, such as others or a cosmic purpose, leads to greater fulfillment and happiness than being self-possessed and focused on personal success and wealth.
4.3 Individualism has led to a focus on self-promotion and material gain, causing people to become possessed by their sense of self and use it as a commodity, leading to a loss of value in the world.
4.4 Leading people in the Tao is about spiritual guidance without selfishness or imposing alternative systems.
4.5 Sages lead by being true to themselves, serving humanity without prejudice, and placing themselves last but end up in front, aligning with humility and seeking low places in life.

5. 28:07 🌿 Leading from behind and remaining humble and empty allows one to harness the power of the Tao, detaching from socialization and possessions to align with nature and achieve oneness.
5.1 Harnessing the power of the Tao involves leading from behind and remaining in a position of humility and emptiness, which provides tremendous strength and the ability to contain everything.
5.2 The sages lead by emulating nature and the Tao, serving as a living example for those caught up in socialization and the sense of self.
5.3 The sage is detached from socialization and unravels their psyche from conditioning to align with the Tao, and we too can achieve oneness by detaching from our sense of self and relationships.
5.4 Detachment from possessions leads to freedom and allows one to be one with everything, just like the sage aligning with the Tao.

6. 33:23 🌿 Lao Tzu and other humble leaders guide people to align with the Tao by detaching from material possessions, serving others, and doing virtuous work to alleviate karmic debt.
6.1 Attachment to material possessions creates unnecessary competition and dissatisfaction, while the sage serves as a guide to align with the Tao.
6.2 Lao Tzu and other humble leaders are detached from power and influence, leading from behind and serving others, unlike leaders hungry for power and corrupting influence.
6.3 Aligning with the Tao involves down regulating the sense of self to serve something greater, allowing the Tao to use you and doing virtuous work to alleviate karmic debt.
6.4 Assuming that you have karmic debt and need to pay for it is an interesting strategy, but the reason for that is not clear.

7. 37:55 🌿 Aligning with the Tao means selflessly serving something greater than oneself and doing what is right without seeking recognition or attachment to outcomes.
7.1 Serving others and aligning with something greater than oneself brings a sense of fulfillment that cannot be gained from money or material possessions.
7.2 Selflessly serving something greater than oneself aligns with the Tao and brings a deeper sense of belonging and connection.
7.3 Do things without attachment to outcomes, like a tree providing shelter without seeking recognition.
7.4 Pure presence and selfless service to others without seeking recognition or analyzing it is the essence of aligning with the Tao, as explained by Lao Tzu.
7.5 Aligning with the Tao means going beyond the ego and doing what is right and natural, as seen in examples of intrinsic reactions to help others.

8. 44:23 🌿 Lao Tzu aligned with the Tao by putting others first, leading from behind, and acting selflessly to achieve ultimate fulfillment.
8.1 Lao Tzu aligned with the Tao by putting others first, leading from behind, and acting selflessly to achieve ultimate fulfillment.
8.2 The sage aligns with the Tao, finds contentment, and can serve others without attachment to desires.
8.3 Empty your mind of societal conditioning and selfish goals in order to align with the Tao and achieve fulfillment through selflessness.

[johnc.]

Jason, I really liked how you and MeYoung opened with two different interpretations. Your explanations were insightful. The English, Feng version was the first I ever read. I liked the Derek lynn interpretation of this verse very much. I think I will purchase his version of the Tao. Anyway Brother keep up your great work and explanations.

[bernardofitzpatrick]

Not clinging to banks of socialization\matrix flow W Tao and is heaven on Earth, unborn, exist for something greater than self and last forever. Way of Tao and nature, not swimming against Tao. Heaven and earth not living for selves, exist for all life. Sages exist for something greater themselves. Better to be “useless tree” not askin for recognition when gives shade etc. Guys, society now seems messed up with all selfish worry about ourselves in overthinking. No competition is best 👍🔥…ego nope, not way of Tao. Love this close to Tao way, lead from behind. Valley in mountain, or empty glass, spirit. Presence leadership. Love from Bernardo..

[HeatherRuffniteowl]

If I understand this correctly, we should allow others to take advantage of us serving them because we need to serve selflessly as the Tao does? Like, just by me stating that "take advantage of" is ego getting in the mix, right? Please correct me if I am misunderstanding. I think I need to learn humility. As I am processing all that you both talked about. Thank you so much for this. I am so grateful for you two and your channel.

[aek]

Please read foundation of indian culture by Sri Aurobindo. Also include him in your next podcast

[chrischilleen]

Followed your advice now I can meditate while levitating. When do I get a lightsaber?

[danielstewart]

Jason Gregory do Taoists meditate for long periods of time or shorter?