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 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

Show 81 — Living in the Now and Communication

Dr. Totton shares his thoughts on how we can live in the now instead of being focused on the past or future. Later, we discuss how sages communicate on a deeper, non-verbal level.

03-29
37:36

Show 80 — Lieh Tzu on What’s Normal, Chakras, Chapter 37

Lieh Tzu wrote a thought-provoking parable on how we should view what’s normal versus abnormal. Later, a listener has questions about chakras and chapter 37 of the “Tao Te Ching.”

03-15
44:52

Show 79 — Behaving Naturally and Chapter 34

The show opens with a discussion on naturalness inspired by a chapter in “Lieh Tzu.” Later, a listener asks how one can act outside of the Tao which dovetails nicely into a discussion on Chapter 34, which is about the nature of Tao.

02-10
41:10

Show 78 — Disabilities, Guns, and Chapter 32

The New York Times had a great article on why Chuang Tzu was one of the first philosophers to embrace disability, Dr. Totton and Tod discuss. Later, a listener has a questions about guns, and we take a deep dive into Chapter 32 of the “Tao Te Ching.”

01-04
38:15

Show 77 – Self-Discipline and Chapter 7

Tod thinks the Tao sends mixed messages about the concept of self-discipline, so Dr. Totton is here to clear things up. Later, a voice message from a listener in Australia and a breakdown of Chapter 7 of the “Tao Te Ching.”

12-21
40:46

Show 76 — Jane English and ‘Ten Thousand Things’ Launch

On this very special episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Jane English, the co-creator of popular translations of “Tao Te Ching” and “Inner Chapters.” Here, we discuss her new book “Rainbow of Tao” and her life and work with Gia Fu-Feng. You can buy her new book “Rainbow of Tao” on her website. […]

11-15
45:45

Show 75 — Chuang Tzu’s ‘Person of Tao’ and Death

Dr. Totton and Tod discuss a recent New York Times article on Taoism and death. Later, we dig into Chuang Tzu’s “Man of Tao” and learn why the “greatest person is nobody.”

10-18
41:17

Show 74 — Tao of Emotions and Chapter 79

A listener writes in asking about how to manage his strong emotions, so Dr. Totton responds with some solutions to help him find balance. Later, we take a look at chapter 79 of the “Tao Te Ching” which deals with reciprocity. Right click to download Dr. Totton’s tapping technique >>

10-05
43:18

Show 73 — The Tao of Jordan Peterson, Chapter 78

Psychologist Jordan Peterson is one of today’s most popular and controversial public intellectuals, and he talks about Taoism, a lot. Here, we take a look at his views on the Tao to see if he really knows what this Tao is all about. Later, a listener wants to know how it’s possible to act out […]

09-21
48:00

Show 72 — Social Aspects of Wu-Wei, Listener Mail, and Chapter 71

Dr. Totton and Tod go over Edward Slingerland’s tips to incorporate wu-wei into your life. Later, a listener wants to know that the Tao would look like personified, and Chaptern71 of the “Tao Te Ching.”

08-24
36:52

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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