Tao of the Day

MartinJon
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Tao of the Day is the world's only live daily talk show dedicated to the Tao Te Ching — running every weekday for over five years. Each morning at 6am Central, wellness coach and author MartinJon guides listeners through a verse from his own New English Version of the Tao Te Ching — applying Lao Tzu's 2,500-year-old wisdom to burnout, recovery, caregiving, and the art of returning to yourself. Join live on NoomVibe weekdays at 6am Central, or catch the podcast wherever you listen. Support my efforts here: https://buymeacoffee.com/martinjon

  1. 6d ago

    Tao of the Day S6_066

    It was a day where we focused on stillness throughout. I started off wiht #63, Melissa had another shock involving her insurance and we talked about #15. Sandy joined with #1 and Marianne with #28. Jay K wrapped it all up with #66.#1 "Expressing Tao"Words are particular,They cannot express Tao.To have a name is to be limited to manifestationThat which is nameless is the source of manifestation.Self-referential, those who name, name themselves.Want to experience the depth of the mystery? Stop identifying.Want to experience the shallowness of the manifestation? Differentiate.Either way no one can tell,The difference is in your experience.#15 "Ancient Tao"The Ancient Masters" ability to comprehend the mysteryWas so profound and subtle that they were misunderstood.One could only describe how they must have appeared.Careful as someone hearing the ice crack midway through crossing a lake;Observant as someone surrounded by toxic threats;Courteous as a guest in awe of her host;Unpretentious as a felled branch in a wood;Vacant as someone staring into space;Dull as a man with nothing to boast about.Can you be still, adding nothing until the mud settlesAnd it gives you the opportunity to see clearly?Can you be still until, on its own accord,The next action presents itself to you?The Master has no need for herself.She doesn't seek or expect attention.Not needing to appease herselfShe has no requests.#28 "Knowing There's Depth in the Shallow"Know the world through the masculineBut access your power through the feminine:In this way, you will be open to receive.If you can receive then your actions will support,They will never be forced, and you will be innocent.Know the world through the lightBut connect to it within the dark:In this way, you will be open to the truth.If you can see truth, manifestation will not fool you,It will fall away, and nothing will elude you.Know the world through the particularBut know there is no particular here:In this way, you will accept all things.If you can accept all things, you will be a beaconThat will guide you, and all beings, back to source.The manifestation was formed from the void.The Master knows the manifestationYet stays focused on the void within it.That is how she uses all things.#63 "Problems are no Problem"Be still and you will act without doing,Be still and your work will happen regularly.Be still and your senses will engage the subtle.Similarly engage a stranger as the multitude.See the majesty of mountains in a grain of sand.The Master knows greatness cannot be grasped.Remaining still, she allows greatness to flow through her.With no desire to achieve it, her stillness guides her,Making subtle movements the difficult seems easy.She knows that all of life is not without its problemsSo problems turn out to be no problem at all.#66 "Leading from Behind"There are great benefits to humilityAll rivers flow to the seaBecause its position is lower.The Master emulates this by always being a servant,Inspiring from below, leading from behind,No one is oppressed, they find their own way.Like rivers so too will the people flow to the Master,Never feeling oppressed or as if they are in danger,The whole world supports her and keeps her in their hearts.Without a reason or a desire to competeShe is never met with competition.

  2. Aug 31

    Tao of the Day S6_065

    First day of school and we are welcoming back all the teachers. Melissa kicked it off with #59, and Sandy gratfully come up and chose #44. Jay K is traveling again and got a random number #61. Finally Julie joined me in a little footy banter nad we talked about #73.#44 "The Influence of Excess"Fame or integrity; which of these do you focus on seeing and obtaining?Possessions or fulfillment; in which do you spend your time investing?Success or failure; of which has offered you the most growth?Under the influence you spend yourselfAccumulating only loss and regret.Fulfill your needs and be content,When you know excess is excessiveYou'll be open to receiving harmony#59 "Serving Others"While serving others, be as reserved as you can be.Be like Tao, nurture all things without influencing them.This is possible through moderationFree yourself from the constraints of your own ideas.Respect all things as they are and remove their limits.Embrace this virtue and your limits are removed as well.Find within yourself both solid ground and yielding sky.Be at one with Tao and the landscape creates itself.Limitless you achieve immortality.#61 "Being Great"Being great requires the ability to be humbleSo as to receive that which is attracted with tranquility.Attraction is the most primal of expressionsTo receive that which is attracted is to know oneself.All great beings realize when they error, having realized itThey admit it and correct it to the best of their ability.The greatest beings seek out those who can help identify their faults,They consider their enemy a part of themselves that requires attention.To be centered in Tao is to nourish all related things,To not interfere or meddle in the errors of others#73 "Nothing Falls Through"There are men who love feeling, and to feel they kill.There are men who love feeling, and to do so remain calm.Who is to say which will experience more turmoil?There is purpose in walking with death, as there is in walking with life.The inner workings of Tao can never be understood;It makes no commands, yet all things come on their own accord;It never acts; but all things act on its behalf;It is empty, yet within it lays all things and their Master Plans.Tao is a net holding all things together, connected.Its mesh is wide, but it holds so well nothing falls through.

  3. Aug 28

    Toa of the Day S6_064

    Today was a great friday with a new Guest Carly who chose #23, and a couple that folks that join on occation Alicia and her #24 and Terilyn and her #81. #23 "Speaking from Tao" When you speak, say what is to be said but no more. Neither wind, nor storms last all day nature expresses itself completely, no matter how wild it may get, Then it returns to stillness. When you open yourself to Tao You say what is to be said. Everyone will agree because When you speak from Tao only Tao can be heard. He who aligns with Tao will only hear Tao. He who aligns with manifestation will only hear manifestation. He who aligns with failure will only hear failure. How it is heard is not your concern. Trust what is to be said And everything will fall into place. #24 "Do What is to be Done" Standing on tiptoes robs you of firm footing. Rushing ahead robs you of knowing where you are. Looking at yourself robs you of seeing. Boasting of yourself robs you of your brilliance. Overpowering others robs you of your power. Clinging to your work robs you of longevity. If you want to align with Tao Just do what is to be done and then stop. #81 "Blossoming Leader" True words may not sound comforting Yet comfort those they are meant for, However, comforting words are never true. Connected to source there is no desire to prove Desire to prove only exposes separation from source. The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation. Giving away her possessions she only receives more. Tao blesses everyone in this way. When this blessing can be received, Domination and power will yield While all people will blossom as leaders.

  4. Aug 21

    Tao of the Day S6_063

    Today we have a lot of heavy things go down Jay K chose #80 and we talked abou ther kid traveling, Melissa chose #23 and have a pain in her neck, Stephanie was having the onset of a serious migrain and chose #33. Then Sandy was talking about the health of her sister with #53.#23 "Speaking from Tao"When you speak, say what is to be said but no more.Neither wind, nor storms last all daynature expresses itself completely,no matter how wild it may get,Then it returns to stillness.When you open yourself to TaoYou say what is to be said.Everyone will agree becauseWhen you speak from Tao only Tao can be heard.He who aligns with Tao will only hear Tao.He who aligns with manifestation will only hear manifestation.He who aligns with failure will only hear failure.How it is heard is not your concern.Trust what is to be saidAnd everything will fall into place#33 "You are Not Manifestation"Study others and gain some knowledge.Study yourself and gain deep wisdom.Controlling others takes strength.But controlling your ego and desiresTakes power and perseverance.Knowing that you have enough gives you wealth,Grasping for money and love forces you to conform.Embrace who you are and stay centered in thatAnd although you will die you will not perish.#53 "Tao is Easy"There is nothing simpler than to walk the way of TaoThe only thing you'd fear is getting sidetrackedAnd yet many people think there is an easier way.They pacify themselves with possessions and entertainmentDistracting themselves enough to never see their bankrupt lives.They continue to acquire and convince others to join them in struggle.Everyone eating and drinking yet consumed by starvation and thirst.Excess is a thief, and the victim is the true self.This is not easy, this is not Tao.#80 "What's Important"Any state wishing to align with Tao remains small.Too many people bring about too many options and opinions.In a small State its inhabitants are skilled and wiseHowever there is never a need to put their skills on displayThey will be happy to humbly use their skills and work together.They never dwell on anything too longThe next thing to do is always making itself known.They love their surroundings so have no desire to travel.Although they have a few trucks and boatsNone are inspired to use them.They love their lives and their simple food,They make their own clothes,Spend time in their gardens while speaking to neighborsThey take the greatest pleasure being with family.Even though there is a bus to the city that travels through every weekEveryone here will be content without ever having made the trip.

  5. Aug 21

    Tao of the Day S6_062

    Today Jay K chose to go with #3 which I was talking about and Dayo came up to talk about her older car and how possessions can inspire through #32. Lo has been going through a lot with #23 and Sandy may have gottne bumped again.#3 "Inspiring Strong People"Praising the status one can achieveWill chastise those who don't achieve it.Praising a possession that can be ownedWill condemn those who don't own it.When nothing arouses competitionPeople will be at peace.The Master leads by not defining status or possession.She weakens the ambition of those around herWhich toughens their resolve to be as they are.By individuals releasing their ambition,Everything falls into place.#32 "It is Not What You Can See"So subtle is Tao it has never been seenAnd yet nothing that can be seen is without it.When beings can remain centered in TaoAll that they perceive is in harmony.As that harmony inspires actions,Those actions will have names,Know that those names are provisional.If those actions inspire institutions to form,Know where their reach should end.Inspired actions, although they may have names,Those names needn't be taken too seriously.Tao is behind it allEven if you cannot see it.#23 "Speaking from Tao"When you speak, say what is to be said but no more.Neither wind, nor storms last all daynature expresses itself completely,no matter how wild it may get,Then it returns to stillness.When you open yourself to TaoYou say what is to be said.Everyone will agree becauseWhen you speak from Tao only Tao can be heard.He who aligns with Tao will only hear Tao.He who aligns with manifestation will only hear manifestation.He who aligns with failure will only hear failure.How it is heard is not your concern.Trust what is to be saidAnd everything will fall into place.

  6. Aug 19

    Tao of the Day S6_061

    A good conversation around living resonably started with Jay K and #1 Sandy and #81 and melissa talked to her new room and wel talked #73. #1 "Expressing Tao" Words are particular, They cannot express Tao. To have a name is to be limited to manifestation That which is nameless is the source of manifestation. Self-referential, those who name, name themselves. Want to experience the depth of the mystery? Stop identifying. Want to experience the shallowness of the manifestation? Differentiate. Either way no one can tell, The difference is in your experience. #73 "Nothing Falls Through" There are men who love feeling, and to feel they kill. There are men who love feeling, and to do so remain calm. Who is to say which will experience more turmoil? There is purpose in walking with death, as there is in walking with life. The inner workings of Tao can never be understood; It makes no commands, yet all things come on their own accord; It never acts; but all things act on its behalf; It is empty, yet within it lays all things and their Master Plans. Tao is a net holding all things together, connected. Its mesh is wide, but it holds so well nothing falls through. #81 "Blossoming Leader" True words may not sound comforting Yet comfort those they are meant for, However, comforting words are never true. Connected to source there is no desire to prove Desire to prove only exposes separation from source. The Master's possessions are not part of the manifestation. Giving away her possessions she only receives more. Tao blesses everyone in this way. When this blessing can be received, Domination and power will yield While all people will blossom as leaders.

  7. Aug 18

    Tao of the Day S6_060

    Today was a good day, I talked a lot about surrender, the spirit of a room, and not changing who I am just because the situation changed. Melissa and I talked #66 and Marianne joined for #16 a classic about stillness and Jay K got #49.#16 "Stillness and Integration"Being empty of mind is of the utmost importanceAnd it is to be guarded with fervor.We have all seen states of action arise,And always beyond it returns stillness.When any state of action is completeIt naturally returns to stillness.This allows integration of what arose from actionWhich is the natural cycle of maturation.If stillness and integration cannot be achievedConstant action will lead to anxiety and wild movements.Yielding to stillness makes one impartial,And all particular things fall away,Then when it is time to dieOne can be impartial to that as well.#49 "Illusion of Separateness"The Master has freed herself from separatenessShe opens herself to receive from all beings.When she encounters sincerity, she responds in kind,In the face of duplicity, her sincerity remains.When she encounters goodness, she responds in kind,In the face of evil, her goodness remains.Why should she change for the manifestation?She knows the manifestation is an illusion of separatenessBeyond that, there is only one.#66 "Leading from Behind"There are great benefits to humilityAll rivers flow to the seaBecause its position is lower.The Master emulates this by always being a servant,Inspiring from below, leading from behind,No one is oppressed, they find their own way.Like rivers so too will the people flow to the Master,Never feeling oppressed or as if they are in danger,The whole world supports her and keeps her in their hearts.Without a reason or a desire to competeShe is never met with competition.

  8. Aug 4

    Tao of the Day S6_059

    Today I have a number of regular guests, Melissa #16, Jay K #27, and Stephanie #63, and had some wonderful exchanges around Tao a whole.#16 "Stillness and Integration"Being empty of mind is of the utmost importanceAnd it is to be guarded with fervor.We have all seen states of action arise,And always beyond it returns stillness.When any state of action is completeIt naturally returns to stillness.This allows integration of what arose from actionWhich is the natural cycle of maturation.If stillness and integration cannot be achievedConstant action will lead to anxiety and wild movements.Yielding to stillness makes one impartial,And all particular things fall away,Then when it is time to dieOne can be impartial to that as well.#27 "The Mystery of the Process"Although a good traveler may have plansThey are not rigid, nor is the outcome.Although a good artist creates,The creations are arrived at through intuition.Although a good scientist observesIt is done for the first time every time.By embodying these strategiesThe Master accepts everyoneAnd makes use of every situation,Nothing is wasted andEvery moment is imbued with light.What is the good if not a vision for the bad?What is the bad if not a lesson for the good?Accept this completely,Or you will suffer in all you do.It is the great secret.#63"Problems are no Problem"Be still and you will act without doing,Be still and your work will happen regularly.Be still and your senses will engage the subtle.Similarly engage a stranger as the multitude.See the majesty of mountains in a grain of sand.The Master knows greatness cannot be grasped.Remaining still, she allows greatness to flow through her.With no desire to achieve it, her stillness guides her,Making subtle movements the difficult seems easy.She knows that all of life is not without its problemsSo problems turn out to be no problem at all.

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About

Tao of the Day is the world's only live daily talk show dedicated to the Tao Te Ching — running every weekday for over five years. Each morning at 6am Central, wellness coach and author MartinJon guides listeners through a verse from his own New English Version of the Tao Te Ching — applying Lao Tzu's 2,500-year-old wisdom to burnout, recovery, caregiving, and the art of returning to yourself. Join live on NoomVibe weekdays at 6am Central, or catch the podcast wherever you listen. Support my efforts here: https://buymeacoffee.com/martinjon

Information

  • Creator
    MartinJon
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    524
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © MartinJon
  • Show Website
    Tao of the Day