Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Mikel Steenrod
  • 4.4 (7)
  • Spirituality
  • Updated Biweekly

Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod. Discover how ancient Taoist training can improve modern life. Living the Tao is a spiritual podcast hosted by Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod, lineage holder of the Four Ascendant Tradition. Through long-form teachings, practical discussions, and occasional conversations with Morgan and other guests, the show explores Taoist doctrine, spiritual cultivation, and the challenges of living skillfully in the modern world. Each episode blends classical Taoist teachings with practical instruction, clear explanation, and real-world examples. Topics include meditation, qi cultivation, emotional resilience, self-awareness, intuition, karma, personal transformation, wellness, martial arts, and the philosophy behind living in harmony with reality. Rather than focusing on abstract theory alone, Living the Tao explores how Taoist training can help listeners reduce stress, develop clarity, strengthen character, and cultivate a mind that sees the world as it truly is. 🎧 New full episodes release on the first Friday of each month. ⚡ Living the Tao Shorts arrive biweekly, offering concise conversations and practical insights designed to help listeners reconnect with what matters most. 🔒 Subscribers receive additional episodes, deeper doctrinal discussions, commentary tracks, and exclusive content through the Living the Tao Supercast membership community. Living the Tao is part of a broader educational ecosystem that includes The Taoism for Modern World, Water Mountain Virtual, online courses, articles, videos, and study resources developed by Mikel Steenrod and the Four Ascendant Tradition. 🌐 Taoist articles, explanations, and study materials: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com 🥋 Qi Gong training, martial arts, and wellness resources: https://www.watermountainvirtual.com 🎙 Public podcast feed: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml 🔒 Subscriber community and premium episodes: https://living-the-tao.supercast.com Want captions? Use the Podbean player. All new episodes are captioned, and the back catalog is continually being updated.

  1. What Meditation Really Is (And Why It Might Not Be Worth It)

    2d ago

    What Meditation Really Is (And Why It Might Not Be Worth It)

    What is meditation, really? In this episode (1-183) of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores meditation from a classical Taoist perspective. Rather than focusing on posture, breathing, or techniques, he examines the deeper principle behind all meditative practice: the mind acting upon the mind. Along the way, Mikel discusses the influence of the Social Mind, why most people live according to maps they did not create, and how meditation can help a person gain greater ownership of their own experience. He also explains why meditation is not always comfortable, how it can uncover parts of ourselves we have hidden away, and why Taoist meditation is not about escaping life—but engaging more fully with it. The conversation explores the natural roots of meditation, the importance of stillness in nature, and the role meditation plays in self-knowledge, personal freedom, and human development. If you've ever wondered what meditation is actually for—or whether you're following someone else's map through life—this episode offers a practical and thought-provoking place to begin. 🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts & full episodes: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com   Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Source: incompetech.com

    37 min
  2. Shorts | Shocks Add Up Like Concussions (Here’s Why)

    5d ago ·  Bonus

    Shorts | Shocks Add Up Like Concussions (Here’s Why)

    Most people think stress comes from big problems. Taoism suggests something different. In this free Living the Tao Short (2-23), Master Mikel Steenrod explores how sudden changes—whether they seem good or bad—place demands on the body and mind. Using weather as a starting point, he explains why rapid shifts can drain our reserves, disrupt our balance, and gradually affect both quality of life and longevity. A beautiful warm day in the middle of winter may feel wonderful, but your body still has to adapt. The same principle applies to life itself. Stressors often arrive in clusters, and while any one challenge might be manageable, repeated shocks can accumulate over time. Discover why Taoists pay attention to mismatches, adaptation, recovery, and the hidden costs of rapid change—and what you can do to restore yourself when life moves too fast. To view the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/CV8ro9J0dlc   🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com 🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts & full episodes: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com Premium Episodes and Full Catalog (4x the content): https://living-the-tao.supercast.com     Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Source: incompetech.com

    11 min
  3. Trailer | The Moon and the Toad

    Trailer

    Trailer | The Moon and the Toad

    Before the Jade Rabbit became the dominant symbol of the moon, another creature occupied the lunar imagination of ancient China—the mysterious Three-Legged Moon Toad. In this subscriber-only episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores one of the oldest and most overlooked symbols associated with Yin. Beginning with the children's tale of Jip Jip, the moon toad who gradually consumes the moon before laying an egg and beginning the cycle anew, the discussion expands into classical Taoist symbolism, lunar mythology, fertility, regeneration, and the evolution of religious storytelling. Along the way, listeners will discover: The myth of Jip Jip and the Three-Legged Moon Toad Why the moon became one of the primary symbols of Yin The relationship between the Moon Toad, Chang'e, and the Jade Rabbit How myths change as cultures and religions evolve The role of historical context in understanding Taoist texts Classical perspectives on regeneration, fertility, and cyclical existence Blending mythology, history, symbolism, and Taoist philosophy, this episode reveals how a forgotten lunar creature can illuminate some of the oldest ideas in the Taoist tradition. Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

    1 min
  4. Trailer | The Sun and the Crow

    Trailer

    Trailer | The Sun and the Crow

    In this episode of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod explores the ancient myth of the Fusang tree, the ten suns, and the mysterious three-legged crow that became one of the great symbolic images of East Asian spirituality. Beginning with the ancient legend itself, the episode examines how the Sun Crow myth evolved from early shamanic and mythological roots into Taoist cosmology, esoteric symbolism, and qi theory. Along the way, the discussion explores the meaning of the sun as a source of yang, the symbolic role of the black crow within the blazing sun, and why Taoist traditions viewed excess yang as dangerous rather than desirable. Topics include: the origins of the three-legged crow the Fusang world tree yin within yang and “true yang” excess stimulation and energetic imbalance Hou Yi and the celestial archer Taoist vs Confucian interpretations of myth the crow as purifier and transformer the evolution of mythology through time Blending mythology, Taoist philosophy, symbolism, and cosmology, this episode examines how ancient stories became tools for understanding balance, transformation, and the energetic structure of life itself.   Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

    1 min
  5. Shorts | Did Ancient Daoists Discover Keto First?

    May 19 ·  Bonus

    Shorts | Did Ancient Daoists Discover Keto First?

    Is there really a “Daoist diet”? In this episode of Living the Tao Shorts (2-22), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores one of the most misunderstood subjects in Taoist practice: food restrictions, dietary cultivation, and the purpose behind them. Rather than rigid rules or moral prohibitions, traditional Daoist approaches to diet were often based on observation, experimentation, longevity, and energetic outcome. The discussion explores: The real meaning of the ancient Bigu diet Why some Daoist traditions reduced grain consumption The relationship between food, herbs, and Qi How Daoism historically approached experimentation and fringe practices The influence of Buddhism on later dietary restrictions Why Daoism tends to reject ideology in favor of direct results This is a practical and historically grounded conversation about food, health, and cultivation within the broader Daoist tradition.   To explore Bigu more deeply, try this article here: https://www.watermountainvirtual.com/what-is-bigu/ To view the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/gRMV36dDoug  🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com 🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts & full episodes: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com     Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Source: incompetech.com

    10 min
  6. Trailer | Your Personal Bedrock, Your Personal Gifts

    Trailer

    Trailer | Your Personal Bedrock, Your Personal Gifts

    In this subscriber episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the “bedrock” beneath Taoist cultivation and asks a deceptively simple question: What should a person actually build within themselves? The discussion examines the original meaning of Wu Wei beyond passivity, the dangers of spiritual status-seeking, and the Taoist concept of Ling — the subtle spiritual presence tied to harmony, karma, nature, and authentic development. The episode also explores how natural gifts emerge from one’s substrate, why some people unconsciously suppress their own development, and why community interaction plays such a critical role in spiritual growth within Taoist practice. Topics include: Wu Wei and naturalness Spirituality vs social status Ling as spiritual presence Karma and the use of personal gifts Community and Taoist cultivation The Taoist view of authentic human development Subscriber Episode: Living the Tao 1-180 — Your Personal Bedrock, Your Personal Gifts Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

    1 min
  7. Trailer | Feathers, Thunder, and Liberation

    Trailer

    Trailer | Feathers, Thunder, and Liberation

    In this special trailer for Living the Tao Episode 1-178, Master Steenrod explores the ancient Taoist symbolism of feathers, thunder, and liberation. What does it mean to shake off the “red dust” of the world? Why were feathers associated with transcendence, freedom, and the feathered immortal? And how did older Taoist traditions understand thunder as a force capable of breaking emotional and spiritual obstruction? Blending traditional symbolism, esoteric concepts, and oral teaching methods, this brief preview introduces one of the more atmospheric and reflective episodes of the series. Feathers, Thunder, and Liberation — available now on Living the Tao.  Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

    1 min
  8. Manifestation in Taoism: Why Invocation — Not Desire — Shapes Reality

    May 8

    Manifestation in Taoism: Why Invocation — Not Desire — Shapes Reality

    What does Taoism say about manifestation? And why doesn’t Taoism actually use that word? In this episode of Living the Tao, we explore the Taoist concept closest to manifestation: invocation. Rather than wishing for outcomes, Taoist practice focuses on directing choice and karma within a universe shaped by probability. The discussion looks at why some changes are easier to bring about than others, why small outcomes often succeed where large ones fail, and how energy limits what can be created. We also explore the Taoist view that the universe is equal but not fair, why abundance and karma are not the same thing, and why most people struggle to change outcomes. The conversation compares invocation with prayer, explains why invoking need can create more need, and examines how classical Taoist practice approaches shaping reality. This episode provides a grounded Taoist framework for understanding manifestation without superstition, focusing instead on choice, energy, and practical limits.   🌐 Explore more Taoist Invocation teachings: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/taoist-invocation-meaning-practice-and-examples/ 🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts & full episodes: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com   Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Source: incompetech.com

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod. Discover how ancient Taoist training can improve modern life. Living the Tao is a spiritual podcast hosted by Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod, lineage holder of the Four Ascendant Tradition. Through long-form teachings, practical discussions, and occasional conversations with Morgan and other guests, the show explores Taoist doctrine, spiritual cultivation, and the challenges of living skillfully in the modern world. Each episode blends classical Taoist teachings with practical instruction, clear explanation, and real-world examples. Topics include meditation, qi cultivation, emotional resilience, self-awareness, intuition, karma, personal transformation, wellness, martial arts, and the philosophy behind living in harmony with reality. Rather than focusing on abstract theory alone, Living the Tao explores how Taoist training can help listeners reduce stress, develop clarity, strengthen character, and cultivate a mind that sees the world as it truly is. 🎧 New full episodes release on the first Friday of each month. ⚡ Living the Tao Shorts arrive biweekly, offering concise conversations and practical insights designed to help listeners reconnect with what matters most. 🔒 Subscribers receive additional episodes, deeper doctrinal discussions, commentary tracks, and exclusive content through the Living the Tao Supercast membership community. Living the Tao is part of a broader educational ecosystem that includes The Taoism for Modern World, Water Mountain Virtual, online courses, articles, videos, and study resources developed by Mikel Steenrod and the Four Ascendant Tradition. 🌐 Taoist articles, explanations, and study materials: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com 🥋 Qi Gong training, martial arts, and wellness resources: https://www.watermountainvirtual.com 🎙 Public podcast feed: https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml 🔒 Subscriber community and premium episodes: https://living-the-tao.supercast.com Want captions? Use the Podbean player. All new episodes are captioned, and the back catalog is continually being updated.

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