Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Welcome to Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod. In Episode 1-117, we journey into one of the most meaningful yet often misunderstood aspects of life: friendship. Through the gentle but incisive lens of Taoist philosophy, Master Steenrod invites us to explore how friendships arise, how they evolve, and how they affect the path of inner stillness and natural living.

Friendship, in the Taoist view, is not merely about emotional attachment or shared history. It is a dynamic interplay of resonance, presence, and release. In this episode, you’ll discover how Taoism encourages a view of friendship that’s rooted in flow rather than expectation, sincerity rather than performance, and alignment rather than obligation.

Expect insights on:

• The natural phases of connection and disconnection

Whether you're seeking clarity in your personal relationships or simply wish to deepen your understanding of Taoist living, this episode offers guidance, presence, and gentle wisdom.

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

❓ Are you truly living in balance, or just following an illusion of it? 🤯

In this episode of Living the Tao, we challenge everything you think you know about balance, clarity, and the path to effortless living. Discover how Wu Wei, self-honesty, and questioning your perceptions can lead to true alignment with the Dao. 🌊

✅ The hidden truth about Wu Wei and effortless action

📌 Whether you’re seeking inner peace, mindfulness, or personal growth, this episode will guide you toward a more authentic and aligned way of living.

🔔 Follow & Subscribe for more Taoist wisdom, philosophy, and self-mastery insights!

💬 Join the Conversation: What does balance mean to you? Drop a 🌿 and let’s discuss!

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

What if everything you’ve heard about karma is only half the story? In this episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the lesser-known Taoist perspective on karma, revealing how it diverges from its Hindu and Buddhist origins. Discover how Taoism challenges common misconceptions and offers a fresh, practical approach to balancing intention, action, and harmony in your daily life. Packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else, this episode sheds light on karma as a tool for living fully in the present moment—not a cosmic scoreboard. Whether you’re new to Taoism or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode will leave you inspired and empowered.

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod describes the 4 conditions that must exist for a Happy life.

Visit www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com for more resources.

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod defines Spiritual Power as alignment with Divine Law.  Is that part of your Taoist Guiding Vision toward enlightenment?

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this special bonus episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod takes us deep into the transformative world of Taoism. We often see Taoist ideas woven into pop culture, but what does it truly mean to walk the path of Tao? Master Mikel demystifies the practice, explaining how Taoism is more than just philosophy—it's a guide to living authentically and harmoniously.

Join us as we discuss:

Whether you’re new to Taoism or deepening your spiritual journey, this episode is filled with insights that make Taoist principles accessible and relevant for today’s world. Tune in to explore the guiding vision of Taoism and unlock a path to inner peace, wisdom, and self-discovery.

Taoist resources can be found at: www.thetaoismforthemodernworld.com

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod describes how mastering the Taoist Guiding Vision and the human power of change can lead you to happiness.  Plus tips to simplify dealing with worry and difficult people.

Welcome to Living the Tao, a Spiritual Podcast that explores how ancient wisdom, a practical perspective, and deep truth can empower you to live your best life. 

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

What is karma — really?

In this episode (1-91) of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod reframes karma not as a moral scoreboard, but as power — the power to make choice and experience its consequences.

Karma is not learned from books.

This episode explores why spiritual growth requires action, risk, and engagement with reality rather than passive belief. Mikel challenges the simplified good-versus-evil models of karma and instead presents a Taoist perspective rooted in awareness, adaptability, and personal responsibility.

Topics include:

Why karma is about power, not reward or punishment

Why great karma requires risk

The three minds: intellect, emotion, and intuition

Stillness as “permission for a holiday”

The Hybrid Mind and post-clarity integration

The Dung Heap Principle — why you are bound by the rules of your environment

Flexibility versus preserving a “perfect spiritual state”

Why Taoism does not place humanity at the center of creation

This episode is a direct reminder that the universe does not favor you — and it does not oppose you. It simply responds to your choices.

Engage. Act. Learn from the doing.

🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings:

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Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod reviews some of the powerful tools you need to learn how to use to reach Enlightenment such as intention, Qi, Karma, choice, perception, and insight.

Welcome to Living the Tao, a Spiritual Podcast that explores how ancient wisdom, a practical perspective, and deep truth can empower you to live your best life.

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod asks you to examine your spiritual goals; do you have a clear idea of what you are pursuing?  You must give yourself permission to be enlightened because spiritually advanced people do not live in a special box.  

Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com