And All Other Areas of life.

The Tao is empty; when utilized, it is not filled up So deep! It seems to be the source of all things.

V1&2, Chap 4, Tao Te Ching

During a recent Tao lesson on Chapter 4 by Derek Lin, he said something that is good advice for Tao cultivators who are always looking for ways to implement Tao practice for success in life. He was discussing verse one, which is Lao Tzu’s explanation that the Tao is empty but unlimited. Derek used our universe, space, as an example. Space goes on infinitely, without end and without limits. In this line, Lao Tzu is describing it as if it were a vessel that, no matter how much is poured into it, it is never filled up. He uses the ancient word for “use it,” in which the modern context is worded as “utilized.” Thus, the suggestion is to use it (the Tao) as a tool to be used. Derek explains that the more you use the Tao, the better life becomes. The rest of the chapter is about applying the Tao in life. If you read it without explanation, it very well may not make sense, so I encourage you to watch the video as Derek unpacks the deeper meaning of this ancient wisdom. Once you have heard the entire lesson, you will see why Lao Tzu says, “So Deep! It seems to be the source of all things. “

So, after hearing this lesson, I began to think about the concept of using the Tao as a tool. And more specifically, how does one use the Tao daily to succeed, thrive, and survive? How would Tao cultivators use the Tao for Longevity goals? What are some Tao lessons that would apply?

To begin with, one has to learn to awaken and be present. Being present includes mindfulness. You must be self-aware and consciously recognize the moment of choice at hand and then be able to consider how to apply the Tao to that situation.

Yet, as I found out, just being aware is not enough by itself. One must learn the spiritual lessons or Tao lessons that can be mindfully applied. By studying the Tao, you will have the lessons at hand to apply when the opportunity arises.

This brings about the question of what Tao lesson should you learn? My answer is that you can start with a problem or question you may have right now in your life. What is something you are trying to deal with? What is a situation where you really need to make the right choice and be able to follow the right path forward to good place in the future? If you have studied the Tao, you might know right off what the Tao would recommend. Others of you may not know in the beginning where to start. Your journey begins by searching for the answers and lessons on your own. Perhaps in one of my books, you will see something that resonates. A good start would be listening to a lecture such as the one listed above. Over time, you will pick up lots of interconnected wisdom.

Longevity Challenges

How would a Tao cultivator deal with some of the current challenges our world faces today?

We can start close to home with our wallets. Most people right now, November 2023, are coming face to face with the cost of living becoming a challenge. Everything is expensive right now. Trying to avoid becoming homeless is harder and harder. So, as a Tao cultivator, I can see two complementary perspectives. The first is prevention, and the second is conservation. Like all Tao virtues, these two can appear to be just “feel good” cliches with little practical value. But Tao cultivators recognize their power.

Prevention is something many people could put more emphasis on. Yet you should also see that prevention is easier applied if one has also been practicing conservation. From a financial perspective, conservation would be to mindfully manage limited money resources so that they go as far as possible. It is hard to enact prevention from a state of lacking resources. But once the action of conservation has taken effect, resources will stay available. From an awakened state, steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary spending. Having enough financial resources to live a comfortable life in all circumstances is the goal of the Tao cultivator.

• Keep this lesson simple.
• Wake up.
• Pay attention to desire.
• Use discipline to refrain from making useless expenditures.

It’s not complicated, but in the beginning, it can be hard do to. So start small and be consistent. Cultivate mindfulness so that you can be awake and aware of what you are doing and why.

What did Lao Tzu think about conservation? He listed it as one of “three treasures” that he held a very important. You can learn more about the lesson of The Three Treasures here.

…I have three treasures
I hold on to them and protect them.
The first is called compassion.
The second is called conservation
The third is called not daring to be ahead in the world..

Verses 7-11, Chapter 67, Tao Te Ching

A Tao Tool for Conserving Financial Resources

Conservation, the second treasure, is to take care of what you have. Regarding financial resources and the ability to create wealth, one should take great care not to waste them. In my book, Sovereignty, I discuss at great length how the ego, if left unmanaged, causes great self-harm.

So, one must be awake and present to make wise choices for well-being. At the root of ego waste is the anti-virtue of desire. Managing desire is part of the process of self-discipline. Self-discipline, controlling the ego self, is applying the Tao in life. When the ego is controlled, you are aware of it, yet have no trouble asking yourself in the moment of choice, is this a want or a need? Too many choices where you give into want or false need will unnecessarily waste financial resources. As someone who knows first hand, this directly affects quality of life.

A lot is riding on being on sound financial footing. Sometimes, life becomes hard through no fault of our own. Yet the opportunity will come when you can do something constructive to improve your situation. At that moment, it is important to know what to do. That is when the Tao lesson will come into play. In a moment of clarity, you will ask:

• Do I save that money, or do I give in to my ego?
• Will this take me further from or closer to financial stability?
• Is this something ego wants, or do I really need this? (be honest!)

Health and Fitness

Once you learn the virtue of conservation and apply it daily without even thinking about it, you will have a Tao skill to “hold it and protect it.” This same Tao tool, conservation, is a principle that should be applied to other areas of life, such as Health and Fitness, which require the same spirit of conservation. With diet, it is the quantity and quality of nutrition. Can you be conservative with your nutrition and avoid those things that negatively affect your health? Overindulgence and poor nutrition quality can quickly erode Longevity. Conservation applied to lifestyle in the form of eating can keep you on the path to good health, which is arguably necessary for Longevity.

With Fitness, it will mean learning to conserve energy through a balance of rest and exercise. Lots of this is discussed in the Tao of Longevity Book. See the section on The Longevity Protocol. Good Fitness is a state of harmony derived through a balance of physical activities with its complementary opposite of rest and sleep. Conservation protects this balance and the sense of Harmony that can be a game changer in the way you feel. In this way, a Tao cultivator uses the tool of conservation to manage various aspects of life and lifestyle to achieve the highest success.

“So deep! It seems to be the source of all things.”

The action of conservation is a Tao tool. To really see its “deep” effects, you must use it in all aspects of life. I have found firsthand that it works. Now that you see that Tao lessons are tools to achieve success in life try seeing how you can use other lessons/tools to help you navigate life for the long haul. See out other Tao lessons, get to know how they work, and try them in everyday situations in life.

Don’t Forget Karma

Don’t forget the actionable creative force in the Tao known as Karma, or cause and effect. Every choice and every decision are seeds planted in each moment that will grow and mature into a future state of experience. So, in each moment, plant the seeds of virtue so that you will end up in a better place down the road. With this in mind, consider the other two treasures that Lao Tzu holds dear and holds onto: Compassion and Humility which are Tao lessons in themselves. Just know that these are powerful life-changing tools to cultivate a better life if you use them effectively.

All the blog posts in this blog are lessons that are tools to be used by a person cultivating the Tao. When you read about a different lesson, try to think of how they, too, can be used as tools for Longevity. You might also explore the other book blog for other Tao lessons regarding spiritual self-discipline. The Tao of Sovereignty Blog.