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?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Verse 34

The great Tao flows everywhere.
All things are born from it,
yet it doesn't create them.

It pours itself into its work,
yet it makes no claim.
It nourishes infinite worlds,
yet it doesn't hold on to them.

Since it is merged with all things
and hidden in their hearts,
it can be called humble.

Since all things vanish into it
and it alone endures,
it can be called great.
It isn't aware of its greatness;
thus it is truly great.

[For Personal Development]
  • We experience our inner greatness when we are humble. Humility allows us to let go of control and to strengthen ourselves from within under all circumstances.
  • The true leader serves followers, not controls the followers.
  • Greatness lies in being humble.
[For Coaching]
  • Trust the coaching process; the clients will find their own answers.
  • Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.
  • Coaching from the heart, creates compassion.
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