30: Daoist Teacher George Thompson on What Tai Chi Taught Him About Anxiety

Can a mountain teach us how to live in peace? In his early twenties, George Thompson was living with intense anxiety and a deep sense of meaninglessness. His body carried constant tension, and the voice in his head told him that he was not good enough. That crisis became the catalyst for a decision that would change the direction of his life.George travelled alone to China’s sacred Wudang Mountains, the birthplace of Tai Chi and a centre of Daoist (Taoist) practice for centuries. There, immersed in mountains, monasteries, and daily practice, he encountered Tai Chi. In this conversation, George and Wonderstruck’s Elizabeth Rovere explore:✦ Tai Chi as a martial art and moving meditation: powerful, peaceful, and beautiful✦ Balance as something dynamic that allows you to hold your centre in the midst of change✦ The inner critic (“the Underminer”) and learning not to identify with the story it tells✦ Why peace can’t be learned, but arises through presence and awareness✦ The universal language of wonder and aweThis episode reminds us to look at what lies beneath the thinking mind, and to discover, as George puts it, that balance is possible.Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction00:05:49 Journey to the Wudang Mountains00:10:22 Finding Balance Through Tai Chi00:18:14 Spirituality as a Form of Activism00:24:45 Hope & The Vinegar Metaphor00:29:58 Love, Connection & Fierce Compassion00:35:29 Is Eminem Daoist?00:42:04 Awe and Wonder Predates Language00:46:27 Nature, AI, and the Technology Continuum00:49:42 Why Are We Here? Follow George:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@George-Thompson The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself: https://youtu.be/9KArWcMldPM?si=fHt4OPWFb8-zSuAx Balance is Possible: https://www.balanceispossible.com/ Taoist Wellness Community: https://www.taoistwellness.online/community Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/george.thompson._/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@george.thompson_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/georgethompson.uk Follow Wonderstruck:Website: https://wonderstruck.orgSubstack: https://newsletter.wonderstruck.orgYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wonderstruckpodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wonderstruckpod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wonderstruckpod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wonderstruckpod Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wonderstruck/id1671879661 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6fS5boWGwYTShddG7SKlVw Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.