What's This Tao All About?

What’s this Tao all About? is a lighthearted journey through the wisdom of the Tao that originally began in 2015 as a dialogue between journalist Tod Perry and Dr. Carl Totton, a member of the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Doctor of Psychology and founder of the Taoist Institute in North Hollywood, California. In this first-of-its-kind Taoism podcast, Dr. Totton and Tod discussed the basic concepts of Taoism, the chapters of “The Tao Te Ching,” and most importantly, how you find peace and happiness in today’s world. In 2024, after Dr. Totton had some health setbacks, George Thompson joined the show to continue its goal of learning just what this Tao is all about. George is a filmmaker, tai chi teacher, and popular Taoist communicator on YouTube, where he has over 230,000 subscribers. “What’s This Tao All About?” covers essential Taoist topics such as wu-wei, te, pu, yin and yang, qi, and Chinese medicine while providing an overview of basic Taoist practices, including meditation and qi gong. You’ll also learn about the work of important Taoist philosophers such as Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lu Dong Pin, Benjamin Hoff, and Alan Watts. Taoism can be a bit confusing for the average beginner; this show is dedicated to making the philosophy's abstract concepts understandable and accessible to just about everyone.

Show 100 — The Unseen and Detachment

Tod and George dig deep into the writings of Derek Lin to discuss how to interact with the unseen and the power of detachment. Later, they discuss relationships and Chuang Tzu’s “Man of Character.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

07-17
36:58

Show 99 — Faith and Chuang Tzu’s Monkeys

George and Tod contemplate the age-old debate about whether all spiritual practices lead down the same path. Later, they examine the role that faith plays in Taoism and examine the wisdom of Chuang Tzu’s monkeys. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

06-26
31:56

Show 98 — Mirror Mind and Intuitive Wisdom

Tod and George examine the mysterious concept of the “mirror mind” and how it can help you live in the present moment, and how to make decisions by getting in touch with our intuitive wisdom. Later, they dig into Chuang Tzu’s chapter on “Great and Small.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final […]

06-05
35:50

Show 97 — Radical Acceptance

Prompted by a passage in Derek Lin’s “Tao of Joy” book, Tod and George discuss the Taoist attitude of radically accepting the external world and ourselves. Plus, a listener asks about the difference between Taoism and Buddhism. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

04-14
38:58

Show 96 — Getting Unstuck and Chuang Tzu’s Morality

With the help of some insightful folks from Reddit, Tod and George dive into what it means to age gracefully—without getting stuck in their ways. They also explore their current challenges of cultivating the Tao and unpack the morality of Chuang Tzu through his chapter on apologies. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His […]

03-24
39:38

Show 95 — The Tao of Play and Chuang Tzu’s ‘Good Fortune’

On this episode, Tod reviews George Thompson’s new movie “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.” The two also examine George’s ideas about play and Chung Tzu’s thoughts on the true meaning of having good fortune. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

03-03
38:45

Show 94 — William Martin, Author of ‘Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching’

Tod Talks with William Martin, author of “Daily Tao: 365 Meditations on the Tao Te Ching.” We discuss his transformation from pastor to Taoist, the liberation Taoism offers from societal conditioning, and how it counters today’s constant wave of mediated information. William also reflects on learning from Alan Watts at the Esalen Institute, explores fear […]

02-10
37:48

Show 93 — Excess Baggage and the ‘Kingly Man’

Tod and George reflect on Derek Lin’s insights about the unnecessary baggage we carry through life. They also discuss Thomas Merton’s translation of Chuang-Tzu’s “Kingly Man,” and George shares practical tips on how we can all let go of our excess baggage. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

01-20
35:40

Show 92 — Praise and Action vs. Non-Action

Tod and George examine why Lao Tzu says that Tao cultivators should work without looking for praise. Later, Chuang Tzu’s Action vs. Non-Action and David Lynch teaches how to catch the big fish. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

01-02
32:01

Show 91 — Manifestation and Senselessness

George and Tod discuss whether the concept of manifestation works within the Tao and how we can all embrace the senselessness of the cosmos. Also, George talks about his new film, “The Subtle Art of Losing Yourself.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days Watch George Thompson’s new film, “The Subtle Art […]

12-11
37:29

Show 90 — Taoism and Recovery with Buddy C.

On this episode, Tod talks with Buddy C., the host of the “Tao of Our Understanding” podcast that looks at Taoism through the lens of addiction and recovery. Here, Buddy discusses how Taoism helped him overcome addiction and his recovery-focused version of the Tao Te Ching, “Powerless But Not Hopeless.” GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl […]

11-05
46:24

Show 89 — The Inner Law

Tod and George examine Chuang Tzu’s inner law, a chapter that discusses whether we should be directed by our inner vice or outside forces. Plus, Tod answers an interesting philosophical question from his 8-year-old son, and George shares a gratitude practice. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

08-12
39:57

Show 88 — Born in Tao

Tod and George discuss Chuang Tzu’s “Man is Born in Tao” and examine how we know whether we are connected to the Tao or not. Plus, a children’s TV show is getting into Taoism and why popcorn is cannibalism. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

07-29
41:35

Show 87 — Chuang Tzu and liberation

Tod and George start their investigation into the works of Chuang Tzu with Thomas Merton’s translation of his pivotal chapter, “Man of Tao.” We also meet our new co-host, George Thompson and Tod shares an update on Dr. Carl Totton’s health. GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days

07-08
45:23

Show 86 — Dr. Totton’s Final Journey

GoFundMe: Care for Dr. Carl Totton in His Final Days Tod shares an update on Dr. Totton’s health, discusses the show’s future, and looks back at Dr. Carl’s thoughts about the circle of life.

01-28
27:07

Taoism

This special episode is a compilation of clips from the show where Dr. Carl Totton and Tod Perry discuss the basics of Taoism. In “Taoism” they discuss the big question, “What is Tao?” and dive into the concepts of Wu-Wei, Te, and Pu. They also discuss practices such as meditation and qigong and examine one […]

06-12
02:37:33

Show 85 — Interview: Benjamin Hoff, Author of the ‘Tao of Pooh’ and ‘Eternal Tao Te Ching’

Dr. Totton and Tod have a rare interview with best-selling author Benjamin Hoff who introduced millions to Taoism with his popular books “The Tao of Pooh” and “Te of Piglet.” Now, after a nearly 30-year hiatus, Hoff is back with “The Eternal Tao te Ching: The Philosophical Masterwork of Taoism and its Relevance Today.” In […]

12-22
47:25

Show 84 — Returning

Dr. Totton shares how his training in Taoist practices has helped him overcome a series of strokes. Later, he shares his new acronym for decision-making in-the-moment, “L.E.A.P.”

12-19
26:40

Show 83 — Chapters 66, 68, and 49

Dr. Totton and Tod breeze through three more chapters of the “Tao Te Ching.”

07-03
25:24

Show 82 — Healing Pandemic Trauma, Listener Mail, and Chapter 70

Tod shares an update of the stabbing that happened outside of the Taoist Institute. Later, Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can overcome trauma associated with COVID-19 and we break down Chapter 70 of the “Tao Te Ching.”

06-07
43:03

Anh nhom

The guest is such a blowhard. Worst episode ever.

09-11 Reply

Shannon Compton

you just spoke to my soul. I watched schools over emphasize Grammer, I have seen politicians act like economy was handed to us by the Gods, I have heard doctors tell us which body types will die first, as if all of this world were predictable and unable to change.

08-27 Reply

Shannon Compton

does anybody call him the space cowboy?

08-20 Reply

Robert Bellaire

I often meditate right before I sleep, whilst lying in bed. during almost every session I have what I can only describe as waking dreams. As soon as I become aware of them happening I immediately snap out of it; trainwrecking the groove of the session.

04-09 Reply

Lydia Butler

I love this podcast. Thank you. It got me through a lot and is still helping me day to day.

01-29 Reply

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