Wisdom of ‘Tao’

Tao (meaning 'the way' or 'the path') was the wisdom of Chinese philosopher Lau Tzu (meaning 'master'), who lived circa 800 to 600 BC. He wrote a short book, Tao Te Ching, with 81 chapters, which became the foundation of Taoism. It was adopted by many great dynasties of the Chinese renaissance for more than a millennium. Taoism is not a religion but a way of life, a mode of benevolent existence. It complements Christian philosophy and values.

Lao Tzu's philosophy contradicts many Western precepts today. It offers such a fresh perspective for the modern age that it was adopted into leadership seminars across many US universities and corporations. Tao offered fresh Eastern insights that complimented Western thinking.

Here are some Tao insights, which I have adopted in leadership seminars I have conducted for both students and corporations: (1) The more you know, the less you know, which means — in learning, we begin to realize how little we really know, which drives us to know more; (2) True leadership means suggesting, not imposing. Indeed, you can influence your team more in silence by example than by words;

(3) The ego is the false self that destroys the 'I' — the true self that builds. Fight your ego and build your 'I' to achieve harmonious relationships with people, even if they are obnoxious. This is the key to happiness and peace of mind;

4) In Tao, critical thinking, a goal of corporate management, is achieved by balancing the heart (intuition, love) and the mind (logic, reason) to achieve corporate vision, insight, and awakening. Balance emotional quotient with intelligence quotient. What is the use of being smart if you fail to deal with people? Balance your psychic with your aptitude, metaphysics with physics, meditation with formulation, the qualitative with the quantitative, the Eastern (yoga, acupuncture) with the Western (modern medicine), and the mystic in you with the scientist in you.

Harmony is achieved by balancing your yin and yang, which are indivisible whole. One cannot exist without the other. You learn about the light after learning about the darkness. Opposites attract and complement each other. Yin and yang are hopelessly interconnected and interdependent.

There must be a balance between the individuals in a team and the team itself, inspired by the team leader. The greatest tension is between the individual and the team, between selfishness and selflessness. Adopt the motto of the Three Musketeers — all for one and one for all. The team will die for a member as much as a member will die for the team. Inner balance within the individual and the team yields harmony. Individual ideas, if shared, are good but become better if refined by the team.

Cultural exchange balances people, say between Filipinos and Japanese — loyalty versus free spirit, regimentation versus improvisation, martyrdom versus self-preservation, technicians versus artists.

Japanese and Filipinos have different cultural advantages and disadvantages. Merging two cultures is a good solution. If you fail to have a compromise, do not force it. Let it be. Coexist. Be open.

An expat friend, Joey, a seasoned mechanic, came home to visit. I introduced him to Rene, who had his own car repair shop. Watching Rene do a tune-up, Joey started condescending, saying that in the States, he had a device that measured optimum gas-air mix, no fuss, no muss. Joey asked Rene how he measured the gas-air mix. Rene told Joey to just listen. Rene turned a screwdriver to control the gas-air mix to discern the optimum ratio. The embarrassed Joey said the Pinoy way was better, using the ears rather than a device.

Venancio Igarta, an Ilocano artist was the first Filipino to have an exhibit in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art back in the 50s. When he became an alcoholic years after being famous, he stopped painting and worked as a color mixer for KolorAid, a multinational paint producer, when there were no computers yet. He used his eyes to discern color differences in a set of about 300 color mixes.

KolorAid pleaded with him not to resign after 40 years because they could not find a replacement. They doubled his salary. Finally, he hired an artist and trained him.

***

eastwindreplyctr@gmail.com