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Flowing with Life: Insights from Taoism for Balance and Harmony

Flowing with Life: Insights from Taoism for Balance and Harmony

As we enter a new year and chapter, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the past and envision how to live with greater intention and balance. To inspire this journey, we’d like to share some wisdom from Taoism, offering perspectives to approach life with more peace, clarity, and harmony.

The Essence of Taoism: Understanding “The Way”

Some of you might be familiar with Taoism but some might find it totally foreign. Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy created by Laozi, a philosopher who lived in China around 6th Century BC. Laozi wrote the book Daodejing’ which embodies the essence of Taoism.

The “Dao” in Taoism translates to “the way” but is not a tangible thing; it represents the underlying order of the universe. The Chinese character for Dao, “道” beautifully illustrates this concept. It is composed of 首 shǒu(head), symbolizing the individual, and 辶 chuò – (walking), representing movement or action. Together, these elements depict a person walking their life path. The character also integrates Yin-Yang, highlighting balance within and around us. Taoism teaches that balance and harmony are found within ourselves, without reliance on external forces.

A Tale of Perspectives: Vinegar and the Three Philosophies

You might also wonder what the key differences are between Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. We would like to share a story that might help with your understanding. A long long time ago, around a large pot of vinegar crowded three men: Confucius, Buddha, and Laozi, each had a taste of it. For Confucius, the taste is sour: the world is full of degenerated people and corruption. Confucius then said: “We need rules and rituals to return order”. Buddha had a bitter expression: “A man’s wants and desires let a man suffer”. Laozi had a smile while tasting the vinegar. For him, the sourness and bitterness only come from the unappreciative and inattentive mind. Human beings come from nature; we must follow nature’s path. Nature itself is nothing about sour or bitter. In nature the cosmos has its natural rhythm and pace, never too fast or too slow. The universe is abundant; therefore, it is content and always wears a smile.

Our purpose in writing this article is not only to introduce the fundamentals of Taoism, but more importantly to share with you some Taoist perspectives that can potentially elevate us from suffering and introduce more peace and balance into our lives. Let’s first look at how we can start to embrace Taoism from an individual point of view.

In nature the cosmos has its natural rhythm and pace, never too fast or too slow.
In nature the cosmos has its natural rhythm and pace, never too fast or too slow.

Letting Go: Practicing Effortless Action (为无为)

If we look at ourselves and the world from an individualist lens, we see “me, myself” and others.

There is a separation between an individual and “the otherness” in many contexts, including the workplace. It is also this separation that brings us a lot of uncertainty and suffering because we hold the perspective that it is us against the world and that a lot of people and conditions might jump out and pose obstacles in our way of achieving our goals.

Taoism believes in the collectiveness of all, that we are all a tiny but important part of the totality, interconnected in either apparent or subtle ways. Mother nature, the universe loves and protects us, everything comes and goes with a reason and in its natural rhythm. It only creates pain and suffering if we helplessly try to predict the future or fight with nature which is a mission impossible.

Let’s think about a situation at work: Have you ever felt so stressed about a challenge at work that you couldn’t sleep at night? Perhaps the answer to most of us is yes. Then we want to invite you to think about how that stressful situation turned out for you: Did things evolve in the exact way that you imagined? Did all your worries come true? Did your anxiety help the situation in any kind of way? Very likely the answer to these questions is no.

Therefore, the choices are clear: it is either we try to fight hopelessly trying to control everything or we can let go, embrace the uncertainty, go with the flow and find in that way, things work out naturally and easier. So, when you feel paralyzed between lots of options in your private life or at work, when you worry about how projects or proposals will turn out, when your next promotion will be, whether your new boss will like you or not, etc., say let go and let Dao, it releases so much tension. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good. Don’t try to control something that you cannot. The more your energy is fixated on the results (desire), the less energy, creativity and enjoyment you will have for the right here and now. All we can expect of ourselves is to do something that feels good, to put our best foot forward and step into the unknown, knowing that the universe will then take care of it from there.

This concept in Taoism is called 为无为 wéi wú wéi and can be translated as action-non-action, natural action or effortless action. It encourages us to align our behaviour with the natural flow of the Dao. While it involves action, it is also about adapting and responding to the ever-changing reality, much like water conforms to the shape of its container or the surface it encounters. From a Western perspective, this might seem paradoxical. The Dao De Jing states: “Dao endures without a name, yet nothing is left undone.” This does not imply passivity or inaction but rather embodies the idea of being at peace while fully engaging in our endeavours in harmony with the natural way.

Practical Taoism: Focus, Balance, and Mindfulness

Taoism teaches us how to navigate life’s changes while offering profound lessons on living and working in harmony. At its core, it emphasizes understanding our place within a larger system where balance, respect, and coexistence allow growth and development. These principles are not merely philosophical; they have practical applications, particularly in fostering sustainable, high-performing work environments.

A team, much like the human body, thrives on interconnectedness and adaptability. The heart pumps blood but relies on the lungs for oxygen. The brain directs, yet depends on the heart for its lifeline. Even the smallest, often overlooked cell plays a vital role in maintaining health. Similarly, within a team, every member contributes something unique and essential, regardless of their role or title. By embracing this perspective, we can create a culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and part of something greater.

Achieving balance in our fast-paced lives can feel elusive, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. However, ancient Taoist practices offer timeless guidance for cultivating harmony both internally and externally.

One such practice is focusing on the process rather than fixating on outcomes. In Taoism, harmony is achieved by fully immersing ourselves in the present moment, shifting our attention away from the pressures of specific results. This approach helps us stay grounded and engaged, even amid external challenges.

Striving for balance is another Taoist principle, reflecting the Yin-Yang philosophy of complementary forces. Life is a dynamic interplay of activity and rest, movement and stillness, social interaction and solitude. Embracing these natural rhythms allows us to navigate life with fluidity, fostering well-being and productivity.

Breath and meditation are also essential Taoist practices. Taking moments to pause, breathe deeply, and reconnect with your inner self can instantly create a sense of calm. Visualizing the flow of qì 气  (vital energy) through your body promotes healing and alignment with the universe’s greater flow, helping you find peace amidst life’s chaos.

By integrating focus, balance, and mindful breathing into daily life, we can approach challenges with resilience and ease. Taoism reminds us that harmony isn’t about controlling every moment but about trusting life’s natural rhythms, knowing that each step forward brings us closer to inner peace and a deeper connection to the world around us.

Sources and References

JLaozi (translated by D. C. Lau), (2009). Tao Te Ching. London; New York, Penguin Books

老子 (秦复观译注),(2024)。道德经。三秦出版社

Schipper, K. M., & Pregadio, F. (1983). Il Corpo Taoista: Corpo fisico-corpo sociale. Ubaldini

Hennig, A. Daoism in Management. Philosophy of Management 16, 161–182 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40926-015-0024-4
About the authors
LARA works as an executive assistant at atrain, providing support to executives in administration, communication and project management. Outside of her role at atrain, she is deeply immersed in the arts as an independent curator based in Berlin, collaborating on diverse projects while exploring her own creative passions in painting and poetry performance. Thanks to a strong background in Chinese studies and extensive experience living in Asia, Lara has cultivated deep expertise in Chinese philosophy and language. She holds a PhD in intercultural relations and international management, with her research interests centered on the interplay of language, cultural identity and art.
YIXIAN is a people and organizational consultant, facilitator, and project manager at Atrain, dedicated to helping individuals and teams cultivate growth and balance with intention. Raised in a family deeply influenced by the wisdom of Daoism, many of Laozi’s teachings have naturally shaped her actions and worldview. Having studied and worked as an educational psychologist in both the US and Germany, she values abundant merits from Western culture, such as personal autonomy, independence, and self-reliance. However, she hopes to bring more Taoist principles into the modern world to help people create a deeper sense of balance and connection with both the self and the greater cosmos.

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