Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

In this Living the Tao short (2-25), Master Mikel Steenrod and Morgan explore the role of animals in Taoism. Cranes, deer, cats, turtles, tortoises, three-legged crows, and many-tailed foxes all appear as symbols, teachers, guides, or mythic beings. But the strongest lesson comes from the turtle. When the storm comes, the turtle does not fight it. It sinks below the turbulence, spends the least energy possible, and rises again when the storm has passed. This short looks at animals as part of nature, what they can teach us about adversity, and why Taoism asks us to consider whether our actions fit our nature, preserve our energy, and serve a real purpose. Sometimes wisdom is not resistance. Sometimes wisdom is knowing when to sink beneath the storm.   Video version here: https://youtu.be/0hOPHx9tYRY 🌐 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

In this trailer for the subscriber-only episode (1-186) of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod introduces the Tao Sphere, the highest sphere in the Four Ascendant Sphere system. The Tao Sphere is not an escape from ordinary life. It contains the Social Sphere, the Martial Body Sphere, and the Qi Sphere. To approach it, a practitioner must bring the whole self into relationship with the Tao. This episode explores balance, avoidance, self-love, the limits of the social mind, and the difference between prayer and invocation. Available now for subscribers on Supercast. Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

In this subscriber-only episode of Living the Tao (1-185), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod continues his study of the I Ching with Hexagram 46, Pushing Upward, and Hexagram 42, Increase. Both hexagrams point toward action, but they do not describe the same kind of movement. Pushing Upward is steady ascent: small efforts, proper support, and the presence of the “great person.” Increase is sudden opportunity: thunder, wind, favorable change, and the need to act before the moment passes. Master Steenrod examines the classic pronouncements, images, and line meanings of both hexagrams, while also challenging the modern idea that success is usually achieved alone. In the I Ching, ascent requires timing, support, preparation, and responsibility toward others. This episode is available for subscribers.   Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

What was the world like before social mind became the dominant force shaping human experience? In this Living the Tao Short (2-24), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores a question that sits at the intersection of Taoist doctrine, history, and esoteric practice. According to the tradition, there was a time when the influence of social mind was far weaker, allowing human beings to access levels of capability, awareness, and spiritual development that seem nearly impossible today. Along the way, Master Steenrod discusses the relationship between social mind and the disappearance of magic, the loss of what he calls "cheap pathways" to higher development, and why extraordinary accomplishments may require vastly greater amounts of energy in the modern era. He also challenges a common assumption about enlightenment, explaining why early Daoist practice may have begun where most modern seekers hope to arrive. A thought-provoking exploration of human potential, reality, and the forces that shape both.   Video version here: https://youtu.be/6wlEvTgGcUU 🌐 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

In this trailer for the subscriber episode “What Is Death?”, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod introduces a deeper Taoist examination of life, death, fear, and return. Rather than offering a simple comfort story, this episode asks what death actually is. Master Steenrod explores life as ordered differentiation, death as movement back through chaos, and the Taoist idea of return through Pu, Hundun, Hexagram 24, and the caterpillar’s transformation. The full subscriber episode also enters more advanced territory, including meditation as the loosening of fixation, the story of the self, and what happens when deep practice approaches the edge of undifferentiation. Listen to the full episode through the Living the Tao subscriber feed on Supercast.   Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com

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. Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/LDe6zoBaMd8 🎧 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

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

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

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

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  

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  

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    

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

Is consistency really the key to success? In this Shorts episode of Living the Tao (2-21), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod examines one of the most common ideas in modern self-improvement—and challenges it from a Taoist perspective. Through a discussion on repetition, flexibility, and human behavior, this episode explores: The limits of discipline when it becomes mechanical The importance of adaptability in achieving meaningful outcomes The philosophical contrast between structure and responsiveness And the deeper question of what success actually means Blending practical insight with classical Taoist thought, this episode offers a different way of looking at progress, effort, and purpose. Video version of this episode can be found here: https://youtu.be/tCLIywBCuoU   Living the Tao Shorts are brief conversations exploring Taoist philosophy, perception, and practice in everyday life. 🌐 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

What if everything you were trained to become… wasn’t enough? In this subscriber-only episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the ancient story of Wangziqiao—a Zhou-era prince who mastered the refined arts of order and discipline, only to walk away from them in search of something deeper. After years of training in the mountains, he is given a simple object—a whistle carved from the bone of a crane. One breath, and the heavens answer. A crane descends. He mounts it and vanishes into the West. This episode goes beyond the story to explore its deeper meaning, including: The tension between structured living and spiritual freedom The crane as a symbol of transcendence and immortality The transformation from heaviness to lightness in internal cultivation The connection to the I Ching and the cycle of return This is a focused symbolic breakdown designed for listeners ready to go deeper into Taoist thought and practice. 👉 Unlock the full episode now on Supercast.  Subscribe now at  https://living-the-tao.supercast.com