The Story

When East meets West… when Lao Tzu wrote down the 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching 2,500 years ago in ancient China, he may not have realised the impact its philosophy would have millenniums later in the West and the newly-emerging profession of life-coaching.

When Julia from Taiwan met Nick from England on a coaching course, they didn’t realise at first that they had a common interest in the work of Lao Tzu. This joint interest soon became a course project. As we explored a few verses of the Tao, we began to see how Lao Tzu’s teachings could be related to personal development and coaching principles.

On this blog we intend to continue this work by exploring one verse of the Tao Te Ching each week. We invite you to join us on our journey and add your own thoughts to deepen our learning. How do you interpret Lao Tzu’s message? And how does it speak to you as a coach?

Friday, January 15, 2010

Verse 26

The heavy is the root of the light.
The unmoved is the source of all movement.

Thus the Master travels all daywithout leaving home.
However splendid the views,
she stays serenely in herself.

Why should the lord of the countryflit about like a fool?
If you let yourself be blown to and fro,
you lose touch with your root.
If you let restlessness move you,
you lose touch with who you are.

[For Personal Development]
  • Peace of mind is an inner state and is independent of outer conditions.
  • Stay connected with your root. Be proud of who you are.
  • In connection with our true self, we transcend differences and find unity in the eternal Tao.
  • Find your own way: developing your own principles and values creates a deep root from which the highest trees grow.
[For Coaching]

  • Be tranquil so we can be flexible; remain centered so we can be fully conscious and create spontaneous relationship with the client [coaching presence].
  • Strong personal foundation is the structural basis that supports the growth and development of the client.
  • Be authentic as a coach. Clients are attracted to us for who we are, not for what we do.
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