What's This Tao All About?

By Tod Perry

Religion & Spirituality Buddhism

What's What's This Tao All About? about?

A lighthearted Taoism podcast hosted by a Tao Master and curious writer.

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Escape from Freedom

08.06.2023

Dr. Totton and Tod discuss Erich Fromm’s 1941 exploration into man’s relationship to authority and how to find true freedom. (This is an episode from “Ten Thousand Things,” Dr. Totton and Tod’s podcast available exclusively at Patreon.com/WhatsThisTaoAllAbout.)

What's This Tao All About? episodes:

08.06.2023 Escape from Freedom Dr. Totton and Tod discuss Erich Fromm’s 1941 exploration into man’s relationship to authority and how to find true freedom. (This is an episode from “Ten Thousand Things,” Dr. Totton and Tod’s podcast available exclusively at Patreon.com/WhatsThisTaoAllAbout.)
06.12.2023 Taoism This special episode is a compilation of clips from the show where Dr. Carl Totton and Tod Perry discuss the basics of Taoism. In “Taoism” they discuss the big question, “What is Tao?” and dive into the concepts of Wu-Wei, ...
12.22.2021 Show 85 — Interview: Benjamin Hoff, Author of the ‘Tao of Pooh’ and ‘Eternal Tao Te Ching’ Dr. Totton and Tod have a rare interview with best-selling author Benjamin Hoff who introduced millions to Taoism with his popular books “The Tao of Pooh” and “Te of Piglet.” Now, after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Hoff is back with ...
12.19.2021 Show 84 — Returning Dr. Totton shares how his training in Taoist practices has helped him overcome a series of strokes. Later, he shares his new acronym for decision-making in-the-moment, “L.E.A.P.”
07.03.2021 Show 83 — Chapters 66, 68, and 49 Dr. Totton and Tod breeze through three more chapters of the “Tao Te Ching.”
06.07.2021 Show 82 — Healing Pandemic Trauma, Listener Mail, and Chapter 70 Tod shares an update of the stabbing that happened outside of the Taoist Institute. Later, Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can overcome trauma associated with COVID-19 and we break down Chapter 70 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
03.29.2021 Show 81 — Living in the Now and Communication Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can live in the now instead of being focused on the past or future. Later, we discuss how sages communicate on a deeper, non-verbal level.
03.15.2021 Show 80 — Lieh Tzu on What’s Normal, Chakras, Chapter 37 Lieh Tzu wrote a thought-provoking parable on how we should view what’s normal versus abnormal. Later, a listener has questions about chakras and chapter 37 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
02.10.2021 Show 79 — Behaving Naturally and Chapter 34 The show opens with a discussion on naturalness inspired by a chapter in “Lieh Tzu.” Later, a listener asks how one can act outside of the Tao which dovetails nicely into a discussion on Chapter 34, which is about the ...
01.04.2021 Show 78 — Disabilities, Guns, and Chapter 32 The New York Times had a great article on why Chuang Tzu was one of the first philosophers to embrace disability, Dr. Totton and Tod discuss. Later, a listener has a questions about guns, and we take a deep dive ...
12.21.2020 Show 77 – Self-Discipline and Chapter 7 Tod thinks the Tao sends mixed messages about the concept of self-discipline, so Dr. Totton is here to clear things up. Later, a voice message from a listener in Australia and a breakdown of Chapter 7 of the “Tao Te ...
11.15.2020 Show 76 — Jane English and ‘Ten Thousand Things’ Launch On this very special episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jane English, the co-creator of popular translations of “Tao Te Ching” and “Inner Chapters.” Here, we discuss her new book “Rainbow of Tao” and her life and work ...
10.18.2020 Show 75 — Chuang Tzu’s ‘Person of Tao’ and Death Dr. Totton and Tod discuss a recent New York Times article on Taoism and death. Later, we dig into Chuang Tzu’s “Man of Tao” and learn why the “greatest person is nobody.”
10.05.2020 Show 74 — Tao of Emotions and Chapter 79 A listener writes in asking about how to manage his strong emotions, so Dr. Totton responds with some solutions to help him find balance. Later, we take a look at chapter 79 of the “Tao Te Ching” which deals with ...
09.21.2020 Show 73 — The Tao of Jordan Peterson, Chapter 78 Psychologist Jordan Peterson is one of today’s most popular and controversial public intellectuals, and he talks about Taoism, a lot. Here, we take a look at his views on the Tao to see if he really knows what this Tao ...
08.24.2020 Show 72 — Social Aspects of Wu-Wei, Listener Mail, and Chapter 71 Dr. Totton and Tod go over Edward Slingerland’s tips to incorporate wu-wei into your life. Later, a listener wants to know that the Tao would look like personified, and Chaptern71 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
08.09.2020 Show 71 — Leadership and Action vs. Non-Action A listener writes in asking about how he can climb the corporate ladder while still living in accords with Taoist principals. Later, Dr. Totton and Tod take a look at Thomas Merton’s translation of Chuang-Tzu’s “Action vs. non-Action.”
07.27.2020 Show 70 — Self-Care During Crisis Dr. Totton shares some self-care techniques to keep you healthy and happy during trying times
05.31.2020 Show 69 — Ambiguity, Education, Jane Goodall, Chapter 73 In a world that teaches us to see things in black and white, Taoists prefer a more ambiguous view of the world. What are the benefits? Later, a listener asks Dr. Totton’s thoughts on education, Tod talks discusses his interview ...
05.18.2020 Show 68 — Experience Totality and Chapter 77 Dr. Totton shows us how to live a life where we accept and experience everything. Later, Chuang Tzu’s funeral, and Chapter 77 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
04.12.2020 Show 67 – Chuang Tzu’s Greatest Hits and Chapter 67 Tod and Dr. T go through a list of Chuang-Tzu’s most memorable, profound, and funny quotes. Also, chapter 67 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
04.05.2020 Show 66 — Coronavirus, Free Will, and Chapter 80 Dr. Totton provides some practices to help people dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. We also discuss the Taoist idea of free will and break down chapter 80 of the “Tao Te Ching.” Right click to download a .doc of Dr. ...
02.10.2020 Show 65 — Alan Watts’ ‘Backwards Law’ and Chapter 65 The dynamic duo of Dr. Totton and Tod dig deep into Alan Watts’ ‘Backwards Law.’ They also take a look into chapter 65 of the “Tao Te Ching” and touch on a controversial practice known as “sunning.”
01.27.2020 Show 64 — Gratitude and Chapter 64 Dr. Totton and Tod discuss how gratitude can dramatically improve our lives. Also, they dive deep into Chapter 64 of the “Tao Te Ching” and discuss how it relates to achieving goals.
01.13.2020 Show 63 — Chuang Tzu’s Self-Transformation Through Oblivion Tod and Dr. Totton review Livia Kohn’s translation of Chuang Tzu to understand how to reach the ultimate state of oblivion. Also, there’s some drama at the weed shop outside the Taoist temple.
12.10.2019 Show 62 — Listener Mail and Chapter 41 A listener writes in asking about how to “confront darkness.” Later, Dr. Totton and Tod discuss Chapter 41 of the “Tao Te Ching” and the art of “not joining the 27 Club.”
11.25.2019 Show 61 — Karmic Footprints and Chapter 48 Dr. Totton explains how we can live a more simple, fulfilling life by reducing our karmic footprints. Also, Chapter 48 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
11.11.2019 Show 60 — Desire and Chapter 29 Dr. Totton and Tod discuss how Taoist philosophy can help us manage our desires and gain self-control. Later, chapter 29 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
09.22.2019 Show 59 — Tao of Anxiety, Chapters 58 and 63 Dr. Totton uses his vast knowledge of psychology and the Tao to discuss anxiety. Also, a few chapters from the good book.
09.07.2019 Show 58 — Lieh-Tzu and Chapters 50 and 56 Get to know a bit about the third most important author in the Taoist cannon.
08.26.2019 Show 57 — The Empty Boat “The Empty Boat” is a powerful parable by Chuang-Tzu, Dr. Totton and Tod take a deep dive to figure out what it means. Later, a listener asks a question about prayer.
06.29.2019 Show 56 — The Tao of Happiness and Chapters 46 and 47 On this show we discuss what Lao Tzu has to say about happiness and delve semi-deep into chapters 46 and 47 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
06.21.2019 Show 55 — The Tao of Carl Jung and Chapter 44 Dr. Totton digs deep into psychologist Carl Jung and his deep connection to the Tao. Later, we crack open the “Tao Te Ching” and investigate Chapter 44.
06.03.2019 Show # 54 — Feeling the Tao, Dude and Chapters 35 and 43 Dr. Totton and Tod consult the wisdom of “The Big Lebowski”-inspired “Dude De Ching” to discuss societal organization and chapter 35 of the “Tao Te Ching.” Also, a listener writes in asking how to feel the Tao.
03.25.2019 Show # 53 — The Environment and Tzu-Jan Dr. Totton and Tod discuss Tzu-Jan which is known as the “heart of the Tao” and give some Taoist perspective on the environment.
03.11.2019 Show # 52 — Taoist Morality and Chapter 28 What is the basis for Taoist morality? Dr. Totton and Tod take a look into the moral principals of Taoist thought. Later, an examination of Chapter 28 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
12.04.2018 Show # 51 — Psychic Cleansing and Chapter 45 Dr. Totton shares some techniquesto help us cleanse our minds and free ourselves from attachment. Later, Chapter 45 of the “Tao Te Ching.” Right click to download The Mind, Cleaning, Karma, and Life.
11.19.2018 Show # 50 — The Meaning of Life and Chapter 38 From a Taoist perspective, what is the meaning of life? Dr. Totton and Tod attempt to address this massive question in under 20 minutes. Later, chapter 38 of the “Tao Te Ching” a verse that Dr. Totton refers to as ...
11.05.2018 Show # 49 — Your True Self and Chapter 27 How do you really find your “true self”? Does such a thing really exist? Dr. Totton and Tod examine the idea from a Taoist perspective.
08.26.2018 Show #48 – 10-Day Gong and Listener Mail Dr. Totton has created a ten-day gong to help people become more in touch with themselves and the Tao. Later, Dr. Totton and Tod answer a listener’s question about being in tune with reality. Right click to download a .doc ...
08.12.2018 Show # 47 – Peace in Chaos, Chapter 10, More Alan Watts Tod and Dr. Totton finish up their discussion on Alan Watts’Tao: The Watercourse Way, reply to a listener who’s having trouble living in these chaotic times, and break open Chapter 10 of the Tao Te Ching.
07.30.2018 Show # 46 — Alan Watts’ ‘Tao: The Watercourse Way’ and Chapter 9 Alan Watts was one of the first major Taoist philosophers in the Western world. Here, Tod and Dr. Totton dig deep into his book, Tao: The Watercourse Way. Later, they crack open the Tao Te Ching to examine chapter 9.
05.15.2018 Show # 45 – The Tao of Love and Chapter 39 On this show, we talk address a subject that isn’t often referenced in “The Tao Te Ching”: Love. Later, Tod and Dr. Totton discuss Chapter 39 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
04.29.2018 Show #44 — “The Te of Piglet” and Chapter 25 Dr. Totton and Tod crack open the pages of “The Te of Piglet,” Benjamin Hoff’s sequel to the “Tao of Pooh.” Later they dissect chapter 25 of the “Tao Te Ching.”
04.16.2018 Show #43 — The Tao of Anarchy Was Lao Tzu an anarchist? Dr. Totton and Tod take a look into the politics of the “Tao Te Ching” on episode 43. “Anarchism and Taoism” by Josh
02.11.2018 Show # 42 — Death, Forgiveness, and Chapter 24 Dr. Totton and Tod open the show with the story of a dying man who found strength in the final months of life through the Tao. Later, a listener has questions about forgiveness and Chapter 24 of the Tao Te ...
01.28.2018 Show # 41 — Chapter 13 and The Last Jedi On this episode, Dr. Totton and Tod dig deep into chapter 13 of the Tao Te Ching to learn how to embrace disgrace. Also, some thoughts on the not-so-subtle Taoist messages in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
01.15.2018 Show # 40 – Balance and Chapter 23 What does Lao-Tzu mean when he talks about balance? Dr. Carl explains in our first episode of the new year. Tod and Dr. Totton also dig deep into Chapter 23 of “The Tao Te Ching.”
10.03.2017 Show # 39 – Zen and Taoist Perspective on Knowledge Tod’s book review of “Zen and the Art of Archery” sparks a conversation about Zen. Later, Tod and Dr. Totton discuss what Lao Tzu means by “abandoning knowledge.”
09.20.2017 Show # 38 – Tao of Creativity and Chapter 19 Dr. Totten explore how the study of Taoism can help with creativity and dig deep into Chapter 19 of “The Tao Te Ching.”

Older episodes

What's This Tao All About?

What's What's This Tao All About? about?

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What's This Tao All About? episodes:

Escape from Freedom

Taoism

Show 85 — Interview: Benjamin Hoff, Author of the ‘Tao of Pooh’ and ‘Eternal Tao Te Ching’

Show 84 — Returning

Show 83 — Chapters 66, 68, and 49

Show 82 — Healing Pandemic Trauma, Listener Mail, and Chapter 70

Show 81 — Living in the Now and Communication

Show 80 — Lieh Tzu on What’s Normal, Chakras, Chapter 37

Show 79 — Behaving Naturally and Chapter 34

Show 78 — Disabilities, Guns, and Chapter 32

Show 77 – Self-Discipline and Chapter 7

Show 76 — Jane English and ‘Ten Thousand Things’ Launch

Show 75 — Chuang Tzu’s ‘Person of Tao’ and Death

Show 74 — Tao of Emotions and Chapter 79

Show 73 — The Tao of Jordan Peterson, Chapter 78

Show 72 — Social Aspects of Wu-Wei, Listener Mail, and Chapter 71

Show 71 — Leadership and Action vs. Non-Action

Show 70 — Self-Care During Crisis

Show 69 — Ambiguity, Education, Jane Goodall, Chapter 73

Show 68 — Experience Totality and Chapter 77

Show 67 – Chuang Tzu’s Greatest Hits and Chapter 67

Show 66 — Coronavirus, Free Will, and Chapter 80

Show 65 — Alan Watts’ ‘Backwards Law’ and Chapter 65

Show 64 — Gratitude and Chapter 64

Show 63 — Chuang Tzu’s Self-Transformation Through Oblivion

Show 62 — Listener Mail and Chapter 41

Show 61 — Karmic Footprints and Chapter 48

Show 60 — Desire and Chapter 29

Show 59 — Tao of Anxiety, Chapters 58 and 63

Show 58 — Lieh-Tzu and Chapters 50 and 56

Show 57 — The Empty Boat

Show 56 — The Tao of Happiness and Chapters 46 and 47

Show 55 — The Tao of Carl Jung and Chapter 44

Show # 54 — Feeling the Tao, Dude and Chapters 35 and 43

Show # 53 — The Environment and Tzu-Jan

Show # 52 — Taoist Morality and Chapter 28

Show # 51 — Psychic Cleansing and Chapter 45

Show # 50 — The Meaning of Life and Chapter 38

Show # 49 — Your True Self and Chapter 27

Show #48 – 10-Day Gong and Listener Mail

Show # 47 – Peace in Chaos, Chapter 10, More Alan Watts

Show # 46 — Alan Watts’ ‘Tao: The Watercourse Way’ and Chapter 9

Show # 45 – The Tao of Love and Chapter 39

Show #44 — “The Te of Piglet” and Chapter 25

Show #43 — The Tao of Anarchy

Show # 42 — Death, Forgiveness, and Chapter 24

Show # 41 — Chapter 13 and The Last Jedi

Show # 40 – Balance and Chapter 23

Show # 39 – Zen and Taoist Perspective on Knowledge

Show # 38 – Tao of Creativity and Chapter 19