Is Daoism something you’re supposed to feel rather than understand? Does talking about it ruin the experience?
In this Living the Tao Short (2-12), Master Steenrod examines a common modern belief—that authentic Daoism requires no study, no method, and no examination. He explains where this idea comes from, why it doesn’t hold up historically, and how Daoist development has always depended on effort, method, and choice.
Nature can teach—but it isn’t the Dao. And walking away from method comes with consequences.
 
🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings: 
<a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'>https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com</a>
🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts &amp; full episodes: 
<a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'>https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com</a>
Access the video form of the episode here: <a href='https://youtu.be/DM4Bo0tX_Xo'>https://youtu.be/DM4Bo0tX_Xo</a>
 
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a <a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Source: <a href='http://incompetech.com/'>incompetech.com</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Is Daoism something you’re supposed to feel rather than understand? Does talking about it ruin the experience?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this Living the Tao Short (2-12), Master Steenrod examines a common modern belief—that authentic Daoism requires no study, no method, and no examination. He explains where this idea comes from, why it doesn’t hold up historically, and how Daoist development has always depended on effort, method, and choice.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Nature can teach—but it isn’t the Dao. And walking away from method comes with consequences.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings:
&lt;a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'&gt;https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts &amp;amp; full episodes:
&lt;a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'&gt;https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Access the video form of the episode here: &lt;a href='https://youtu.be/DM4Bo0tX_Xo'&gt;https://youtu.be/DM4Bo0tX_Xo&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a &lt;a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'&gt;Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;. Source: &lt;a href='http://incompetech.com/'&gt;incompetech.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Many people believe Daoism should not be analyzed—that it should only be felt. In this short episode, Master Steenrod challenges that idea, explaining why Daoism has always relied on method, discipline, and personal responsibility. He explores the limits of “natural” practice, the role of teachers, and why progress depends on more than simply spending time in nature.

Shorts | Why “Just Feel the Dao” Doesn’t Work

In this subscriber-only episode (1-159) of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod examines a quiet but widespread problem: why clarity, restraint, and spiritual insight seem to disappear when life becomes stressful — even when we understand the teachings.
From a Taoist perspective, the issue is not discipline, belief, or willpower. 
It’s energy.
This episode explores how higher thought, ethical behavior, and spiritual stability are energy-dependent states. When qi is depleted, advanced behavior becomes unavailable. Choice narrows. Reactivity replaces agency. What feels like moral or spiritual failure is often an energetic condition.
Drawing from classical Taoist understanding — and contrasting it with how many spiritual systems are applied today — this talk reframes struggle without blame and restores a missing sequence: energy first, clarity second.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
<ul>
<li>
Why low energy collapses higher behavior
</li>
<li>
How modern life quietly drains qi
</li>
<li>
Why many spiritual teachings fail without an energetic foundation
</li>
<li>
How ethics and insight naturally emerge from sufficient energy
</li>
<li>
Why restoring energy must come before higher practice
</li>
</ul>
This is not motivational content. It’s structural explanation — intended for listeners ready to examine why understanding alone doesn’t translate into lived stability.
🎧 Full episode available to subscribers on Supercast.  Subscribe now at <a href='https://living-the-tao.supercast.com'>https://living-the-tao.supercast.com</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this subscriber-only episode (1-159) of Living the Tao, Master Steenrod examines a quiet but widespread problem: why clarity, restraint, and spiritual insight seem to disappear when life becomes stressful — even when we understand the teachings.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;From a Taoist perspective, the issue is not discipline, belief, or willpower.
It’s energy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This episode explores how higher thought, ethical behavior, and spiritual stability are energy-dependent states. When qi is depleted, advanced behavior becomes unavailable. Choice narrows. Reactivity replaces agency. What feels like moral or spiritual failure is often an energetic condition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Drawing from classical Taoist understanding — and contrasting it with how many spiritual systems are applied today — this talk reframes struggle without blame and restores a missing sequence: energy first, clarity second.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode, you’ll hear:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why low energy collapses higher behavior&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How modern life quietly drains qi&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why many spiritual teachings fail without an energetic foundation&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How ethics and insight naturally emerge from sufficient energy&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why restoring energy must come before higher practice&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is not motivational content. It’s structural explanation — intended for listeners ready to examine why understanding alone doesn’t translate into lived stability.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Full episode available to subscribers on Supercast.  Subscribe now at &lt;a href='https://living-the-tao.supercast.com'&gt;https://living-the-tao.supercast.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Why does higher understanding disappear when life gets hard?

In this subscriber-only episode, Master Steenrod explains why clarity, restraint, and spiritual insight depend on energy — not willpower or belief. From a Taoist perspective, low qi makes higher behavior unavailable, turning struggle into reactivity. This episode reframes spiritual failure as an energetic condition and restores a missing foundation: energy first, clarity second.

Trailer | Enlightenment as Energy

Originally released as Episode 10, Poison of Immortality remains one of the most powerful teachings in the Living the Tao archive.
In this brief trailer, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod offers a sharp preview of the timeless insights within—on mortality, time, and the path to clarity.
If you missed it the first time, or you're ready to revisit it with fresh ears, now is the time. The updated episode now includes a full transcript and study guide for deeper reflection.
🎧 Listen to the full episode at: 
<a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/e/poison-of-immortality-episode-010/'>https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/e/poison-of-immortality-episode-010/</a>
Get the podcast episode, episode guides, and commentary here: <a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-10-poison-of-immortality/'>https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-10-poison-of-immortality/</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Originally released as Episode 10, Poison of Immortality remains one of the most powerful teachings in the Living the Tao archive.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this brief trailer, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod offers a sharp preview of the timeless insights within—on mortality, time, and the path to clarity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you missed it the first time, or you're ready to revisit it with fresh ears, now is the time. The updated episode now includes a full transcript and study guide for deeper reflection.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Listen to the full episode at:
&lt;a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/e/poison-of-immortality-episode-010/'&gt;https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/e/poison-of-immortality-episode-010/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Get the podcast episode, episode guides, and commentary here: &lt;a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-10-poison-of-immortality/'&gt;https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-10-poison-of-immortality/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

This short archive trailer revisits one of the most impactful episodes of Living the Tao. In “Poison of Immortality,” Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores mortality as a source of spiritual strength, and how time—when viewed clearly—shapes how we live. Revisit the full episode now, updated with transcript, study guide and commentary.

Trailer | Poison of Immortality (Archive Spotlight)

Living the Tao — Winter Tales (Subscriber Episode)
Winter has long been a season for Taoist storytelling — a time when teachers set aside instruction and let stories do the work.
In this short trailer, Master Steenrod introduces a subscriber-only episode(1-158) of Living the Tao built around three traditional winter Taoist tales: a man untouched by cold, a hermit who sits through winter snow, and an immortal who waits calmly as change unfolds.
These stories aren’t about endurance or technique. They explore yin, alignment, and the wisdom of not forcing the moment — themes especially relevant as the year comes to a close.
🎧 Full episode available to subscribers on Supercast.  Subscribe now at <a href='https://living-the-tao.supercast.com'>https://living-the-tao.supercast.com</a>

<description>Living the Tao — Winter Tales (Subscriber Episode)
&lt;p&gt;Winter has long been a season for Taoist storytelling — a time when teachers set aside instruction and let stories do the work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this short trailer, Master Steenrod introduces a subscriber-only episode(1-158) of Living the Tao built around three traditional winter Taoist tales: a man untouched by cold, a hermit who sits through winter snow, and an immortal who waits calmly as change unfolds.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;These stories aren’t about endurance or technique. They explore yin, alignment, and the wisdom of not forcing the moment — themes especially relevant as the year comes to a close.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Full episode available to subscribers on Supercast.  Subscribe now at &lt;a href='https://living-the-tao.supercast.com'&gt;https://living-the-tao.supercast.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Winter has traditionally been a time for Taoist storytelling—a season when teachers relied on stories rather than instruction.

In this brief trailer, Master Steenrod introduces a subscriber-only episode (1-158) of Living the Tao built around three traditional winter Taoist tales: a man untouched by cold, a hermit who sits through winter snow, and an immortal who waits calmly as change unfolds.

Together, these stories explore yin, alignment, and the Taoist understanding of timing and non-interference. The full episode is available to subscribers on Supercast.

Trailer | Power of Winter

Why do Taoist masters fly in legends—but not in real life today?
In this Living the Tao Short, Master Mikel Steenrod explores the idea that some extraordinary abilities once attributed to Taoist practitioners depended on conditions that no longer exist. Rather than fantasy, the discussion focuses on history, training, and the Daoist principle of time and place.
This short episode separates cinematic myth from classical Daoist understanding, offering a thoughtful look at why certain abilities faded—and what Taoism actually teaches instead.
🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings: 
<a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'>https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com</a>
🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts &amp; full episodes: 
<a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'>https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com</a>
 
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a <a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'>Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Source: <a href='http://incompetech.com/'>incompetech.com</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;Why do Taoist masters fly in legends—but not in real life today?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this Living the Tao Short, Master Mikel Steenrod explores the idea that some extraordinary abilities once attributed to Taoist practitioners depended on conditions that no longer exist. Rather than fantasy, the discussion focuses on history, training, and the Daoist principle of time and place.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This short episode separates cinematic myth from classical Daoist understanding, offering a thoughtful look at why certain abilities faded—and what Taoism actually teaches instead.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🌐 Explore more Taoist teachings:
&lt;a href='https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'&gt;https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Listen to more Living the Tao Shorts &amp;amp; full episodes:
&lt;a href='https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com'&gt;https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a &lt;a href='https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'&gt;Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;. Source: &lt;a href='http://incompetech.com/'&gt;incompetech.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Legends describe Taoist masters who could fly, catch arrows, and perform extraordinary feats—but why don’t we see these abilities today?

In this short episode, Master Mikel Steenrod explains why certain Taoist abilities disappeared, how Daoism understands energy, time, and place, and why real practice was never about magical shortcuts.

A concise, thoughtful reflection on myth, history, and what Taoism actually teaches about human potential.

Shorts | Why Taoists No Longer Fly

Living the Tao with Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod.   Discover how ancient Taoist training can improve modern life. Living the Tao blends real doctrine, practical instruction, and clear explanation—helping you reduce stress, develop emotional resilience, and cultivate a mind that sees the world as it truly is.
Each episode explores the core practices of Taoism, including meditation, qi cultivation, self-awareness, intuitive clarity, and the philosophy behind living skillfully. Master Steenrod combines classical teachings with modern psychology, everyday examples, and the calm precision that long-time listeners love.
🎧 New full episodes release on the first Friday of each month. ⚡ Living the Tao Shorts arrive biweekly—fast, focused insights to help you reset your mind.
🌐 Deepen your practice with articles, Taoist explanations, and study materials: <a target="_blank" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com</a>
🥋 Explore Qi Gong training, videos, and wellness resources: <a target="_blank" class="decorated-link" href="https://www.watermountainvirtual.com" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.watermountainvirtual.com</a>
If you want the complete feed, please put our public RSS in your player or directly use podbean.
The public feed: <a href="https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml" title="https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml">https://podcast.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/feed.xml</a>

Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast

Details

Recent Episodes