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?

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Verse 20

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.
Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense!

Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.

Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.

I am a fool. Oh, yes! I am confused.
Others are clear and bright,
But I alone am dim and weak.
Others are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid.
Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.

Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.

[For Personal Development]
  • You must find your own way. Others' approval doesn’t determine your self-worth. Should’s and have-to’s are not leading to true fulfillment.
  • To be in harmony with the universe requires awareness not thought.
  • Projection is not reality; it is your own attitudes, feelings, or suppositions to others.
  • Dare to be different; be bold; take risks.
[For Coaching]
  • As coaches, we learn, unlearn, and relearn. We let go of our beliefs, answers, and solutions, so we can be truly open, listen and learn from our clients.
  • To be present for the client, we must clear our minds of our own lives.
  • Awareness is the precursor to choice: we support our clients to make new choices that follow their hearts desires.
  • It is perfectly normal to feel uncomfortable when stepping into a whole new space with an expanded awareness.
  • Strong coaching presence is demonstrated by open to not knowing and takes risks, for the maximum benefit of clients.