Have you ever heard the saying, “If you aren’t outraged, then you aren’t paying attention?” After all, with all the suffering in the world right now, is the choice to stay calm and centered or happy the right response? How can we stay alert and aware of what’s going on in the Ukraine, with COVID, the climate crisis, rising food prices, etc. etc. and not feel motivated to respond with outraged action? Actually, there is another way. And that way is called the Tao. I was recently given an excellent reminder of that possibility when asked to review the book, The Tao of Inner Peace by Diane Dreher Ph.D. While I’m not exactly a stranger to the Tao, this book offered me clear instruction and insight as to why our inner peace is so very primary. And the more chaotic the circumstances in the world and in our lives, the more we need to access that inner peace. For it is only there that we can ever truly make a difference for ourselves and others.
I get that it is bold to claim that the only way to truly make a difference is to first find inner peace. However, the Tao (pronounced Dow) makes other pretty bold but wise claims as well. Based upon an ancient text called the Tao Te Ching, it has been translated more than any other book besides the Bible. Believed to be written by a man named Lao Tzu, the Tao has provided timeless wisdom for over 2,400 years about how to live in harmony and peace. Within its pages are 81 short and simple but powerful lessons about how to live a harmonious, self-aware life with goodness and integrity.
The Tao of Inner Peace is Diane Dreher’s insights about the Tao Te Ching. Her book was first published back in 1990 but has recently been re-released with an audio book and updates. I did find her words a bit dated—maybe because I’ve become dated (ha, ha) or because I was already familiar with some of the real-world examples she uses. I’ve written about the Tao before, and Thom and I did a VLOG about it a while back, so I have some background. However, I am certain that people new to the Tao would find the book transformational. And even those very familiar with the teaching will resonate with the words found between the pages. Thom who has read numerous books related to the Tao and followed his form of Taoism for some time, highly recommends it.
Using dozens of stories and examples, Dreher explains many of the verses found in the original text as well as the concepts behind them. I think people would be surprised to learn how some powerful common phrases originated in the Tao. Things like, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” as well as:
“Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.”
Or another favorite:
“Be content with what you have;
Rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.”
Something I think is deeply important for me to remember is the emphasis on wholeness that comes out loud and clear through Dreher’s book. Dreher’s continually reinforces the idea that everyone and everything are connected and “One.” She says, “Peace comes from transcending polarities with a vision of the larger whole.” Polarities give us the impression that we (and everything) are separate and distinct from one another as well as nature herself. Instead, the Tao teaches that “…beyond the surface differences, it is the One that includes us all.”
The Tao offers a symbol for those blended polarities (see photo) which reflect the interaction and interdependence of both the dark and the light. The Tao teaches that everything is a combination of both yin (represented by the dark) and yang (represented by the light.) This combination folds and dances together in an inseparable alliance. It applies to everything and everyone. I am very drawn to the idea that nothing is ever completely black and white. Nothing is ever either/or. The idea of both/and has always seemed true to me. Plus seeing beyond the lines that we draw between each other and around the world feels so obviously wrong—yet our culture and yes even me, does it habitually.
So how do we find peace in a life or a world in turmoil? Dreher, and the Tao, are very clear that it must start within. She says, “When we are confused and uncentered, we project inner conflicts into the world around us. When we are at peace with ourselves, we can see more clearly, act more effectively.” Of course, that sounds much easier than it is, but it is necessary. Through dozens of short practices and mediation ideas, Dreher continues to explain that finding that harmony and balance within us is a necessary step to finding peace.
I also appreciate her emphasis on self-awareness, self-acceptance and facing our shadow selves. When we accept that most of our anger, frustrations and insecurities are projections of the fears we hold within, we can usually dispel the shadow in the light of greater awareness. While the Tao never asks us to ignore our feelings, it advises us to never be triggered by them into acting in a way that isn’t in alignment with our values.
Because a big part of the Tao is Wholeness it is also deeply aligned with nature. In fact, Dreher says that Lao Tzu used much of his understanding of nature to create the 81 verses. That’s because nature is an incredible teacher. Think of bamboo as incredibly strong but also able to sway and flow with the breeze. Or how about water? She says, “water is the symbol of the Tao. It is fluid, nurturing, ministering to all, yet possesses great strength, able to cut through the hardest rocks.” Dreher recommends that whenever we find ourselves out of harmony, to take time to go into nature and realign ourselves. She is obviously an environmental activist that reminds us, “What we do to the Earth we do to ourselves.”
This book covers so much more about how to find that inner peace and then to share it with the world that I could add much more. But what I will say is that I found how much the thinking in the book aligned with the values I hold for myself and SMART Living 365. In case you are not aware, the acronym SMART stands for Sustainable, Meaningful, Aware, Responsible and Thankful. All those are part of this book in so many interesting and interconnected ways. I’m not sure how Dreher or her publicist found my blog and asked for my review, but there was no accident there.
If you are looking for a book or ideas that will either teach your about inner peace or remind you of how to find it, I recommend this book. It points out that we are microcosms of the macrocosm that is the world. As within, so without. Whether we read the book or not, I think it is SMART for all of us to first look within and find our inner peace as much and as often as we are able—our lives and our world depend on it.
I’m not sure how I landed on your post from 2017 of 15 Happy Songs. I made a playlist in YouTube of them all. Thank you! (I had never made a playlist there but thanks to Google it was super easy!)
I am listening to “My Happy Playlist” now 🙂
Hi Elle! Isn’t it interesting how people find each other. I am so glad that my list of 15 happy songs made you happy enough to make your own playlist. Enjoy it as much as I do. ~Kathy
Thank you Kathy I’m not familiar with the Tao that is very interesting. I know when I am confused and uncentered I walk around looking like thunder. Scary lol. When at peace I am the gentler, kinder being I prefer to be. Will have to give the book a read.
Hi Amanda! Now that you mention it, when most people are confused and uncentered they look like thunder!!! What a great metaphor. And for me at least, peace looks like comfort and as you say a “gentler, kinder being.” The nice thing about the Tao is that even the thunder can offer a purpose and a benefit for bringing rain and moisture to an area that needs. The key of course is knowing when each is important to create the kind of life we want to experience. Thanks as always for your thoughts. ~Kathy
Well, you know you are preaching to the choir here, girlfriend. Yes, there are a gazillion books out there on Tao and the Tao Te Ching. (I know because lots of them are sitting on my bookshelf — ha!) However, the most important one is the one that speaks to you. Someone might have heard of Tao and even read some books, but if this one is the one that truly inspires one to engage in practices that will actually bring alignment and inner peace, then this is the absolutely right book. So I’m always happy to see someone else offering Tao insight to the world.
I was surprised to see yin associated with the light and yang with the dark parts of the taiji symbol. I’ve always understood it to be the other way around, which just goes to prove that, as you say, things aren’t always black and white. A perfect example of going beyond right and wrong!
Thanks for bringing attention to another offering of this wisdom to the world.
Hi Galen. Thank you SO much for your gracious way of pointing out my error! You are absolutely right! Yin is dark and feminine and Yang is bright and masculine. (I have corrected the blog post!!!) But as you also point out, the mix and “dance” of the two is everywhere regardless of what we call them. And like you said, there are LOTS of books about the Tao and the one that is the BEST is the one that speaks to each of us, right? Plus, finding other writers who write about such things on a regular basis (like you) is also very helpful and thought provoking. The Tao is such a great perspective for the world right now that I hope others are willing to explore its many gifts. ~Kathy
Hmm, maybe not an error? Just another perspective. After all, each aspect carries the seed of the other and becomes the other in never ending cycle.
So true. The dance continues…
Kathy, I just found your blog and signed up for notifications…you are saying exactly the things I appreciate being reminded of. From what I gather from your writing, we share much of the same life philosophy, including not seeing the world in terms of black-or-white.
These are definitely challenging times. I love what you said about the more chaotic the circumstances in the world and in our lives, the more we need to access inner peace. When my mind is in turmoil, I stop and listen to the birds, look out at the bay in the backyard…whatever I can do to stop the futile cycle of worry and come back into the present moment. And then I remind myself to focus on cultivating peace and kindness in my daily life. I appreciate your book recommendation and will search out a copy.
Hi Laurel. Thank you so much for dropping by. I’m glad you found my blog and that this post resonated with you. I so agree that nature and being outside is a wonderful antidote to the turmoil around us. And from the title of YOUR blog, I will have to pop over and read your thoughts. One of the very best things about blogging is finding friends with similar mindsets. ~Kathy
I love this post, Kathy! And you are so right – this message is something more people should be embracing. With all the turmoil and craziness right now, anything that can help to achieve inner peace is always appreciated I think. I have read about Tao as well and find it very intriguing and aligned with how I try to view things. Live with integrity and honor your values. I don’t know about you but when I am at peace with myself, only good things come and everything just sort of seems to work out. I agree with your sentence “we are microcosms of the macrocosm that is the world”. Tao is a good reminder that we need more alignment and less division. Definitely sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the review and your thoughts! Have a great week!
Hi Debbie! I’m not surprised this post resonated with you because you made enough comments and written on your blog to know you’ve read a lot of the same materials that I have through the years and studied many of the same concepts for harmony and balance. Like I mentioned in the post that even when we are familiar with something like peace and harmony and how to get there, it sure helps to keep being reminded over and over again (at least it does for me!) Thanks for letting me know your thoughts and I hope you’re having a good week too. Is it getting warmer up where you are???? ~Kathy
Thank you Kathy for the review and book recommendation. I have read several books on the Tao but not recently. I will likely read this one, it definitely goes on my list. One of my favorites is the “Tao of Pooh”. Something about Winnie the Pooh and friends teaching Tao comforts me.
Jamie
Hi Jamie! Yes the Tao of Pooh is such a great book (and I did a blog post on it too! https://smartliving365.com/simple-smart-living-tips-tao-pooh/ ) One thing I really appreciate about the Tao is how it fits together so seamlessly with other philosophies and religions. I think you would find this one helpful too. Let me know if you give it a try. ~Kathy
Another wonderfully informative post – you explain it so well. The Tao is not a new concept for me given my time living in Asia. For a period, I referred to myself as a Taoist Christian. Anyway – inner peace is so important. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Hi Janet! With your background I would love to hear your thoughts about how I explained it? Different? Similar? I did appreciate the author’s very practical approach to Taoism so perhaps that is why I liked it so much. She also interweaves other major philosophies and religions making it very wholistic. And like I said, excellent reminders of how Taoism fits it all together in such a peaceful way. Thanks for checking in here! ~Kathy
Kathy – I think your explanation is clear and seems to be on point. I’m certainly no expert. I personally like to focus on the idea of harmony more than balance simply because harmony implies everything existing as it is meant to in the moment. I think balance feels like a more western control issue. I’ll be interested to read her book when I finish my current pile.
Hi Janet….ah, that makes sense, “…balance feels like a more western control issue.” Now that I think about it, I agree. We use it all the time in work, government, etc so it seems very much like a linear effort to manage and control. Thanks for pointing that out. And while I’m guessing you won’t find much “new” in the book with your background, her perspective and weaving with all sorts of other philosophies and teachings should be interesting to you. Thanks for letting me know your thoughts. ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – Thank you for this very thoughtful and balanced review. I have now added The Tao of Inner Peace to my TBR pile! 😀
Hi Donna! Now that you have taken on the word “peace” as your word for the year I thought you might be interested in this book. Like your little book that you’re passing around, it is full of ideas to achieve that quality as much as possible. So of course the more of us that read it and embrace the ideas, the better. I hope you enjoy it! ~Kathy
Nice to be reminded of Tao and finding “harmony and balance within us is a necessary step to finding peace.”
Hi Gary! I know you practice this a great deal yourself but as you imply, reminders are always good. Stay peaceful my friend! ~Kathy
I have not heard of this book, but it sounds interesting. I’m thinking I could use a little tao in my own life, and I know the world would sure be a better place with more interdependence and blended polarities. I went to our local library website and found two books by Diane Dreher, but not this one. I’ll have to submit a request to purchase … or maybe drop by our local bookstore to see if they have a copy.
Hi Tom. Thanks for pointing out that she has written several other books about the Tao (and also she does a lot of speaking on Positive Psychology both as a lecturer and a college professor.) I can’t tell whether you would enjoy her other books but this is surely a great introduction to her approach to the Tao. ~Kathy