What"s This Tao All About?

Show 109 — Natural Balance and the Tao of Dr. Totton

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/09/29

In this episode, Tod and George unpack Derek Lin’s thoughts on natural balance, explore the concept of “pro-anoia” (the antidote to paranoia), and delve into the philosophical writings of Dr. Carl Totton that he claims could be a successor to the “Tao Te Ching.”

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Show 108 — The Breath and Time to Change

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/09/07

George shares how to relax your nervous system through breathing, including his “LSD through the nose” technique. They also review Derek Lin’s “Nest Time to Learn” and the parable of the Mexican Fisherman.

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Show 107 — Original Tao and Chunag Tzu on Winning

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/08/10

Tod recently read “The Original Tao” (aka the Nei-Yeh), a Taoist work likely written before the Tao Te Ching, and he shares its central theme. Also, George shares the concept of response-ability, and the two review Chuang Tzu’s thoughts on the need to win. Episode Transcript [01:02] Tod Perry: Hello, everybody. Welcome back to What’s […]

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Show 106 — Overcoming Contentiousness

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/03/16

Tod and George examine the works of Derek Lin and Chuang Tzu to discuss how to live with less contention and greater harmony. Also, George shares the power of the “sacred” pause, and Tod shares why balancing your internal checkbook can help you find peace.

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Show 105 — Li, Listener Mail, Hundun

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/02/16

Tod and George explore the concept of li, or the natural energy patterns inherent in all of us. They also help a listener with love problems and examine Chuang Tzu’s tragedy of Hundun, the faceless but benevolent emperor. Pick up a copy of Dr.Sijo: The Taoist Monk in Modern Clothing by Jeremy Newman

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Show 104 — Wu-Chi and Chuang Tzu’s Metamorphosis

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2026/01/26

Tod shares how Jason Gregory’s “The Tradition of Natural Taoism” aims to correct some Western interpretations of the Tao. Also, George explains the mysterious emptiness of wu-chi and the pair dive deep into one of Chuang Tzu’s strangest stories, “Metamorphosis.” Pick up a copy of Dr.Sijo: The Taoist Monk in Modern Clothing by Jeremy Newman

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Show 103 — How to Be Kind to Yourself

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/11/05

Tod took a trip to Cuba and felt an incredible joy getting away from technology and consumer culture for a few days. George shares tips on being kind to yourself and building space around your personal challenges to put them in proper perspective. Also, Chuang Tzu’s thoughts on being competitive.

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Show 102 — Lu Dong Pin’s Dream and the Tower of Spirit

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/10/14

Tod interviewed Deepak Chopra for a work assignment and asked for his thoughts on Taoism. Later, Tod and George also explore Lu Dong Pin’s dream, which led him to reject worldly power for the Tao, and Chuang Tzu’s “Tower of Spirit,” a lesson in guarding sincerity. George’s new film, “What is Consciousness?”

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Show 101 — Dr. Totton’s passing, Chuang Tzu’s Active...

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/09/18

After nearly two years in hospice care, Dr. Totton has passed away, Tod discusses the aftermath. Later, George talks about how improv classes have helped his Tao cultivation and they dive deep into Chuang Tzu’s chapter on the “Active Life.” Also, a listener asks how they can be more disciplined in their practice. GoFundMe: Care […]

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Show 100 — The Unseen and Detachment

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/07/17

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

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Show 99 — Faith and Chuang Tzu’s Monkeys

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/06/26

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

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Show 98 — Mirror Mind and Intuitive Wisdom

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/06/05

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 […]

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Show 97 — Radical Acceptance

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/04/14

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

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Show 96 — Getting Unstuck and Chuang Tzu’s Morality

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/03/24

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 […]

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

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/03/03

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

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Show 93 — Excess Baggage and the ‘Kingly Man’

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/01/20

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

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Show 92 — Praise and Action vs. Non-Action

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2025/01/02

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

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Show 91 — Manifestation and Senselessness

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2024/12/11

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 […]

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Show 90 — Taoism and Recovery with Buddy C.

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2024/11/05

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 […]

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Show 89 — The Inner Law

What"s This Tao All About? ·

2024/08/12

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

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