Radical emptiness, teaches Taoism, includes the emptying of fears. You know as well as I that life can be a fearful place. Before the ends of our lives, so much will happen that no one could predict. Lots may be asked of us, of our health, by our loved ones. It could be quite easy to hide somewhere we feel we would be impervious to life’s existential challenges, slings and arrows.

VERSE 16 teaches us that a life clinging to false things, ideas, and fears is a diminished life indeed. Rest assured, though: Everything false, from fears to desires, will eventually fail, perhaps slowly, but let this confident mind be in you. Nothing artificial has the power to last forever.

This podcast is an original labor of love, designed, written, and co-produced by many, whose central idea is that Tao te Ching is good news for today. Tao still speaks. David Dixon’s voice uttered our quotes this week. Audrey Davis is our valued artist. Molly Hartwell sings her song, “Put Your Roots Down.” Fortress Press holds the copyright for quotations from my Tao Te Ching translation. Thanks to you for your attendance in this class on Taoism.

May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical hope!

Marc Mullinax