What's This Tao All About?

Dr. Carl Totton and Tod open the show with a discussion about ABC News‘ Anchor Dan Harris’ new book “10% Happier.” Later, they take another deep dive into the mysterious Taoist concept of Te.

Dr. Totton and Tod discuss The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff’s book that introduced the Western world to the Tao. Later, Chapter 25 of the Tao Te Ching.

Dr. Totton and Tod clear out their listener mailbox by answering some questions on martial arts and how Taoism, relates to Christianity.

Our show opens with a discussion about indoctrinating children into Taoism. Later, Dr. Totton and Tod crack open Chuang Tzu’s Inner Chapters to talk about his thoughts on what it means to be the “True Man.”

The election of Donald Trump as president of the U.S. has sent shock waves though the world. So Dr. Totton and Tod share the Taoist perspective on political upheaval while working to better understand the Trump voter.

Show 27 opens with a powerful email from a female listener with some questions about women and the Tao. Later, we dive deep into chapters 22 and 26 of the Tao Te Ching.

We open our show with the final five of Tod’s top 15 favorite couplets from the Tao Te Ching. Later, Dr. Totton discusses the two different approaches to Taoist meditation: active and passive.

After scouring through the Tao Te Ching with a highlighter, Tod shares his top 15 favorite couplets from the book. Later, Dr. Totton answers an email from a listener who wants to be more like Lu Dongbin.

Our show begins with an email from a listener in Spain who has questions about a major change in life. Later, Dr. Totton and Tod dig deep into Chapter 21 of the Tao Te Ching.

Who is the mysterious Lu Dongbin? Dr. Totton and Tod look into the life and teachings of a Taoist immortal. Later, we discuss one of the most challenging chapters of The Tao Te Ching.

After the birth of his son, Tod asks Dr. Totton how he can get back into good Taoist habits. Later, a listener has some intriguing questions about how to handle disagreements and veganism.

Our show begins with an apology for a mishap that screwed up the audio on show 21. In this episode, Dr. Totton and Tod take on two very important chapters from the Tao Te Ching, 14 and 16. They also discuss how to develop empathy, dealing with difficult people, and an odd experience Tod had […]

Dr. Totton discusses the Taoist perspective on health and how one can find balance through multiple practices. Later, Tod shares his translation of the Tao Te Ching that he’s written for the common man. The show ends with a discussion of Chapter 12 of the Tao Te Ching. The Immortals Weekend is coming May 21 […]

The show opens with a question from a listener in Hawaii about how to raise a disciplined child. Later, Tod and Dr. Carl discuss one of the most important aspects of Eastern spirituality: living in the moment.

Tod and Dr. Totton discuss how the Tao is an antidote for binary thinking and can help people free themselves from entrenched worldviews. Later, they discuss the concept of the “mirror mind” and Chapter 19 from the Tao Te Ching.

Tod cracks open Chaung Tzu’s Inner Chapters for another book report on the sacred Taoist text. We also discuss chapter 18 of the Tao Te Ching and personal energy.

Dr. Totton and Tod open up the listener mailbag to discuss an important question about injustice from a listener in Australia. Later, we discuss Chapter 36 from the Tao Te Ching.

For the first time on the show Dr. Carl and Tod discuss the meaning and importance of “being” and “non-being” as they relate to Taoism. Also, we discuss the the Taoist embrace of “flow” and the I Ching’s place in the Taoist cannon.

Our show opens with an article about how one can practically use the art of wu-wei in the business world. Later, Dr. Carl Totton reveals his three ways to cultivate the Tao on a daily basis.

On show 13, the ever-studious Tod Perry presents a book report on the first half of the seminal Taoist text Inner Chapters by Chuang Tsu. Here, we uncover the mystery of Tzu’s famous butterfly dream and discuss his timeless humor, insightful parables, and importance in the Taoist cannon. Subscribe to What’s This Tao All About? […]

In show 12, Dr. Carl and Tod discuss chapter 81 of the Tao Te Ching. They also go in depth on the practice of qigong and discuss other texts in the Taoist cannon besides the Tao Te Ching. Subscribe to What’s This Tao All About? on iTunes >>

The show opens with some musings about the similarities between The Force in Star Wars and the Tao. Later, Dr. Carl Totton disucusses his journey to become a Taoist priest. The show ends with a talk about the concept of immortality in Taoism and a discussion on Chapter 16. Subscribe to What’s This Tao All […]

After a brief hiatus, Dr. Carl Totton discusses his time at the Taoist Gathering in Oakland, California. Then Dr. Totton and Tod discuss the Three Treasures and Chapter 17 of the Tao Te Ching. Subscribe to What’s This Tao All About? on iTunes >>

Are there hard-set rules to being a practicing Taoist? What is Pu? What style of governing is most beneficial to the people? These questions and much more are answered on episode nine of What’s This Tao All About? Subscribe to What’s This Tao All About? on iTunes >>

Tod’s smart phone is driving him nuts so he asks Dr. Carl how to find balance in a world ruled by technology. After missing a chapter last week, Dr. Carl and Tod cover chapter 13 of the Tao Te Ching, a verse dealing with ego. They finish the show with a discussion on chapter 33 […]