A short introduction to the Taoist Ching scale, an ancient way of understanding reality as a balance between what is real and what is symbolic. This episode explores how Taoism places humans, animals, gods, dragons, and the Dao itself along a spectrum of reality — and why humans were once considered more real than we are today. A clear, thoughtful look at one of Taoism’s most misunderstood ideas.

Order, Chaos, and Hundun — Subscriber Episode Preview Most people understand reality as a movement between order and chaos. Taoist cosmology suggests something more fundamental comes first. This subscriber-only preview introduces Hundun, the undifferentiated state that precedes structure itself. Rather than confusion or disorder, Hundun represents the condition from which form emerges. In the full episode, Master Steenrod examines why uncertainty is not spiritual failure, how premature structure can limit development, and why periods of not knowing often accompany genuine transformation. This is a contemplative, non-technical exploration rooted in early Taoist thought and lived practice. 🔒 Available exclusively to subscribers of Living the Tao.

Positive power isn’t optimism—and it isn’t denial. In this episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod reframes positivity as a conscious discipline: choosing what you allow to shape your mind, your emotions, and your future. This conversation explores how attention determines outcomes, why negativity can be corrosive over time, and how Taoist training builds the capacity to endure failure without collapse. A grounded, thoughtful episode for listeners seeking clarity instead of slogans.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A trailer for a subscriber-only episode of Living the Tao exploring the I Ching dyad Following (17) and Repair (18)—and how knowing when to follow, repair, or withdraw allows you to move through change with clarity and minimal wasted effort.

Some people always seem to be in the right place at the right time. In this episode, Master Steenrod breaks down the Taoist explanation for luck, prosperity, and synchronicity—and why fortune clusters around certain people and locations. You’ll learn how abundance energy behaves, why luck isn’t a reward for morality, and how Taoist arts of living can stabilize your life even without strong prosperity around you. A clear, practical guide to the hidden forces shaping everyday experience.

Master Mikel Steenrod breaks down the true meaning of De, the Taoist power described in the Daodejing. This episode explores how alignment with the Dao creates real spiritual influence, why small “signs” are unreliable, and how the Dao begins to intrude into a practitioner’s life as they advance. A concise but profound look at the triangle of Dao, teacher, and student—and how genuine Taoist practice reshapes a person’s life path.

A short preview of a subscriber-only episode exploring the Taoist teaching behind gift-giving. Master Mikel Steenrod reflects on why intention matters more than the object itself, and how sincerity shapes meaningful exchange. Full episode available for subscribers on Supercast.

A short preview of one of our most replayed episodes: Demons and Ghosts Are Real! Master Steenrod explains the Taoist understanding of ghosts as emotional residue and demons as intentional forces—and why personal stability is the strongest protection. This trailer highlights the core ideas and points to the full free episode in the Living the Tao archive.

A short preview from subscriber-only Episode 1-154. Master Steenrod explains why “fire under water” is the energetic cost of resisting needed change, and how misalignment drains karmic force. Subscribe for the full episode.

In this short episode, Master Steenrod explains the Taoist concept of sensory hygiene—the discipline of shaping your environment so it doesn’t shape you unconsciously. He explores how negative inputs bias perception, why modern life bombards us with variation, and how the Four Ascendant Tradition uses “conscious crafting” to maintain inner stability. A clear, grounded guide to protecting your sense of self amid constant sensory noise.

What if true power didn’t come from force but from timing and alignment? Master Steenrod reveals the living energy of Qi and how it connects humanity and the universe.

<p><strong>In this short (2-8), Master Steenrod unpacks Taoism’s elusive stance on morality.</strong></p><p><br> What happens when a tradition without heaven or hell meets the moral hierarchies of Confucianism and the rituals of Buddhism?<br>Discover how early Taoism resisted becoming a system of control, how politics turned ritual into power, and why “the noodle got spicy” when belief met bureaucracy.<br>It’s a journey through ancient temples, statecraft, and the human need to define right and wrong—told with humor, insight, and unmistakable Taoist calm. </p><p><strong>Intro music:</strong> “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_new" rel="noopener">Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License</a>. Source: <a href="http://incompetech.com" target="_new" rel="noopener">incompetech.com</a></p>

<p>Taoism isn’t evangelical — it’s adaptable. In this short, Master Steenrod explains how the tradition has endured for thousands of years by “spicing the noodle”: blending with Buddhism, Confucianism, and even modern science without losing its flavor. Discover why Taoism calls itself a <em>human method</em>, not a divine truth — and how that flexibility keeps it alive in every age.</p><p>🎙️ Topics include syncretism, tolerance, resilience, and the enduring Taoist view that real growth begins with personal choice.</p><p>Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod, used under CC BY 4.0 License (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_new" rel="noopener">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a>). Source: incompetech.com</p>

Long before Daoism became a philosophy, it was survival. In this episode (1-148) of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Steenrod traces the ancient, shamanic roots of Daoism—a time when humanity faced energetic predators and learned to fight back. Through humor and history, he explores how early “supernatural combat” gave rise to the Daoist tradition of observation, proof, and endurance. What began as the defense of life became a path to understanding it—and to walking in balance with forces far beyond the human world.

<p>Ever wonder if you’re already a Daoist at heart? In this reflective short (Ep 2-6), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the quiet signs that the path has already found you. From the way pain, fear, and desire shape our search for peace, to the strange resonance some feel when reading the <em>Dao De Jing</em>, this episode looks at why Daoism speaks so deeply—or not at all.</p><p>Mikel reminds listeners that the journey doesn’t have to be grand. Whether your practice is light and grounding or a deep quest for truth, what matters is creating a life you actually want to live. No comparisons. No afterlife scoreboard. Just presence, contentment, and honesty with yourself.</p><p><em>Living the Tao Shorts</em> are bite-sized reflections designed to help you return to balance, insight, and calm in under ten minutes.</p><p><br></p><p></p><p><em>Finding Movement</em> by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a></p><p>Source: <a href="http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100693" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100693</a></p><p>Artist: <a href="http://incompetech.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">http://incompetech.com/</a></p><p><br></p>