The Tao Te Ching is all about teaching you how to connect with the universe. One of the main teachings of the Tao Te Ching is that there are just some things you can’t understand, and that’s okay. If you come across sections of the book that don’t make sense, try your best to get meaning from them, but don’t get hung up on them. Some temples might offer study groups based on the Tao Te Ching. If you’d prefer to study with other people, you can look for those study groups and attend them.
If you want to read the Chuang-tzu with others, look for study groups at nearby temples.
Any Taoist books translated by Thomas Cleary – a leading translator of Taoist texts – will be a good choice.
For example, you can do something like serving in a soup kitchen. This is one way to remember that people with less than you are still connected to you.
The principle of dynamic balance can be helpful if you’re struggling in life. Remind yourself that according to this principle, happiness could not exist without sadness.
Cyclical growth can help you understand where your life is going. If you’re experiencing grief after the death of a loved one, remind yourself that happiness will eventually come. It might be a while, but grief will eventually give way to happiness.
For example, if you’re dealing with a difficult time, accept that it will be difficult and accept your grief or sadness. By doing so, you won’t wear yourself out trying to be strong.
Each rite usually follows a specific series of stages, including purification, prayers, offerings, singing of songs, and dancing.
As you quietly sit in this position, imagine any sickness, stress, and pain leaving your body as you exhale. As you inhale, imagine healing, relaxing light entering your body. If it helps, imagine filling your lungs with air from the bottom to the top through your belly button. You should meditate in a clean, quiet space. Sit on the ground in a position that is comfortable to you and do your best to quiet your mind. If a thought comes across it, let it go.
Your local gym or rec center may offer tai chi classes. You can also look for tai chi videos online.
Qigong is different from tai chi in that qigong directs energy to different parts of your body in each move. Tai chi helps you connect to your internal and external energy, but it’s not differentiated like Qigong is. Warm up by gently swinging your arms at the shoulders. Hold your arms loosely at your sides, and then twist at your waist, turning to the right and then the left. Your arms should swing naturally. As you warm up, keep your knees bent and let your hips sway. As you move, focus on releasing stress. Eventually, you’ll be able to concentrate only on your movement and the internal energy it creates. One awareness exercise you can try is the accordion. Stand up straight, with your arms bent at the elbow and your palms together in front of your chest. Your fingers should point upward. Slowly pull your hands apart until they’re about 12 inches (30 cm) apart, and then move them toward one another again. You can repeat this as often as you like.
You can find yoga classes at your local gym or rec center. You can also look for yoga videos online and through some TV providers’ on-demand channels.
Accepting yourself also means acknowledging that sometimes your personality will change. Sometimes you’ll be loving and kind and sometimes you’ll be impatient and angry. Accept all of the aspects of your personality.
For example, if you’re considering taking a new job, ask yourself if you feel good about the opportunity. If your instinct tells you that you should, do it. If your instinct says that you shouldn’t, don’t.
