Lao-Tzu was a Chinese thinker who created Taoism. The importance of this philosophical current lies in the fact that he proposes an individual morality based on following the path of nature. This thought advises a line of liberal and pacifist politics, recommending that the authorities intervene as little as possible in the life of the people, not burdening them with regulations and taxes. The following are four teachings from Lao-tzu that will make you reflect on how to live life:
1. Reverence life
According to Lao-tzu’s teachings, we must respect all forms of life. We must not dominate or control them. The first step to achieve this goal is, according to Lao-Tzu, to love ourselves. From this love, love for all other beings will naturally spread. We must treat others with respect, kindness and gratitude. It is the only way we will all live in peace and harmony.
2. Be honest
We have to be authentic and honest. We have to stay true to who we really are, without letting outside forces change us. Once we begin to accept and understand who we really are, we will begin to understand what a happy life means for us. According to Lao-tzu, when we follow our truth, everything else will fall into place. Once our thoughts and actions align, we will begin to know the meaning of sincerity.
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3. Be kind
Being kind means being kind to all of life, without interests involved; not practicing kindness based on selfish desires. In this way we abandon the need to be right and realize that kindness is the most important virtue there is. When we consider the needs of other people and give in to our desire to manipulate or control them, we live in harmony. We must practice gentleness to understand what is really important in life.
4. Be supportive
This virtue impels us to focus on supporting ourselves and others, that is, on being supportive. We all have a difficult journey in life and the best thing we can do is help each other succeed on that journey.
We must give without expecting something in return. For Lao-Tzu, giving is a natural matter, but we forget this because in society we do other things. However, when we return to our natural state of helping others we find a life of true purpose; We find, for example, joy in making life easier for other people. Lao-Tzu teaches us the way to have a full and meaningful life, in a concrete way.
With information from Hack Spirit