Sometimes I try to explain something and realise halfway through I’ve completely lost the plot. But that’s life. This is not a stage, there are no big reveals. No neon signs, no “You’ve arrived” notification.
Life just wanders past quietly, probably wearing slippers. It’s about trust—not in maps or mantras, but in the wobbly way your feet somehow find the path even when your brain’s still asking for directions.
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me - by the teapotmonk
The book: Nothing to Do Nowhere to Go by Paul Read
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL
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I’m not chasing upgrades or next-day delivery. Maybe it’s just me, but I can afford to wait.
Life should not be a race. And s when someone shouts behind you - “Hurry up!” Turn and quietly reply, Nah, I’m alright, thanks.
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me by the teapotmonk
The book
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I read “10 Ways to Be a Better Human” yesterday and ended up feeling worse than when I started.
Couldn’t help thinking it was trying to fix things that were not broken. Life’s not an IKEA manual.
Sometimes, you’ve got to just let things breathe.
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
Read more about the world of Tai Chi and the tao at https://www.teapotmonk.com
I find that the more signs a place has—“Don’t sit here,” “No ball games,” “Mind the step” “No sitting, no standing, no running, no talking” — the less fun it usually is.
When we lose the flow, we compensate with a hi-vis yellow vest and a walkie talkie, when maybe, we should just let things wobble back into place.
Episode 18. When the Tao Slips Away
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
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You ever meet people who talk for twenty minutes straight and still say nothing?
As soon as they finish and walk of, shouting over their shoulder, been great chatting, must do it again soon.
Yeah, me too.
This chapter’s the opposite of that. It’s a nod to the ones who don’t need to be seen, don’t need to be praised, and somehow leave the biggest mark by not leaving one at all.
Like the person who refills the kettle but doesn’t mention it. Or the Tai Chi player you didn’t even notice had moved until the whole room felt different. This one’s for the quiet doers, the subtle shufflers, and those who vanish mid-conversation with a kind of grace you only notice once they’ve gone.
17 - The unseen dance
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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Ever been so overwhelmed you open six tabs, half write an email, reply to a text message, scroll aimlessly, then decide it’s all too much and you need to go and a lie-down?
This chapter’s the antidote. It says: stop. Shhh. Let the mud settle. Clarity’s not hiding in your inbox—it’s just waiting for you to stop flapping. The Tao’s not shouting over the noise. It’s the bit underneath it all, humming along like the sound of the kettle you almost didn’t hear.
Chapter 16 - The note in the symphony
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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You ever walk into a room and forget why you’re there…or you’re half way through practising a sequence and forget the next move - and then stand perfectly still, like you might remember by osmosis?
That’s sort of the vibe of this chapter. The old masters didn’t stomp their way through life with flowcharts and fitness trackers and geolocation reminders. .
They moved like mist—barely noticed, but everything around them seemed better for it.
This one’s an ode to soft steps, loose shoulders, and not feeling the need to explain everything.
Because, let’s face it—most of it makes more sense when you stop trying so hard.
Chapter 15 - The ones who knew
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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Ever try to remember a dream and the harder you try, the more vague it gets?
That’s this chapter in a nutshell. Or rather, in a cloud of steam.
The Tao doesn’t pose for selfies. It’s not waiting at the end of your to-do list. It shows up when you stop looking for it—like your keys, or that word that was on the tip of your tongue.
This one’s about letting the mystery be… well, mysterious.
Make a brew. Don’t chase the steam. Just watch it rise.
Chapter 14 - Trying to catch the tao in a teacup
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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You ever win something—like a raffle, premium bond, competition —and feel like a genius for five minutes?
And then lose a sock or get ignored in a queue and suddenly you’re questioning your worth?
Yup… that’s the trap.
This chapter’s about stepping off that emotional seesaw.
The Tao’s not watching to see if your reel goes viral. It’s too busy being the tide.
So let’s forget the ratings, skip the validation, and maybe do something just for the joy of it.
Like a cartwheel.
Like a pencil figure sketch of your aunt asleep at the wheel.
Chapter 13 - The scoreboard and the stars
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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You ever start a film, check your phone, answer a text, and then forget what you were even doing?
Welcome to this wonderful but busy life.
This chapter’s a polite tap on the shoulder: Put the plate down, you’ve had enough.
We’re drowning in choice, noise, colour, sound— mines a flat caramelised avocado latte with earl grey oat milk butter - oh and I’d like it served in a large plastic bucket thank you.
Have we lost the capacity to taste life as it is - we’ve forgotten what plain toast tastes like.
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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Ever walked into a cluttered room - you know the sort full of display cabinets, newspapers, ornaments, collection able items - and immediately wanted to walk back out again? That’s what this chapter’s getting at. It’s not the stuff that matters—it’s the space around it.
A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
Have you ever been in a room with someone who just knows stuff, but doesn’t feel the need to tell you every detail?
No showing off, no TED Talk energy—just calm presence and maybe the presence of a cracker or a biscuit.
The book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from here at the Tai Chi store or by following this URL https://taichi-store.com
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A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
You don’t win any prizes for being the last one clinging to a plan. Sometimes its better to walk offstage early—while there’s still a bit of mystery, a bit of applause, and ideally before someone starts lobbing the odd cabbage.
The book
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A simple rendition of the Tao Te Ching for you and me.
Chapter 8. This one’s for the quiet strugglers, the slow movers, and anyone who’s ever been told to “pick up the pace” and thought, Nah, I’ll flow instead.
The book
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The universe isn’t in a hurry, so why are we acting like we’re late for something? You don’t have to grab at greatness. You don’t have to win every argument, prove every point, or post every thought.
You don't even need to name constellations after yourself. For who amongst us can outshine the stars?
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You know that bench no one ever sits on, the one under the tree at the far end of the park? The one way off the path, with overgrown nettles and a badgers house close by?
That’s the Tao. It’s not fussed about the number of users it has, doesn’t care if it’s gone viral, it just is.
It’s a warm mug pressed into your hands when you didn’t even realise you were cold.
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Ever had one of those days when it feels like nothing is working out? That theres a conspiracy of dunces out there and everything is directed at you - personally? That morning traffic jam? That comment online? That seagull that pooped on your windscreen?
This chapter is a reminder that is was never about you. Which, can be, quite comforting. You’re not the main character. None of us are. And once you stop auditioning for the role, life starts to feel a bit lighter.
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Some people turn up to the workshop, the class, the office, the pub, the park like they’re headlining Glastonbury. Big entrance. Loud clothes, lots of noise, tires quickly. Leaves early. But the Tao? Well, the Tao is something else altogether.
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You know the sort of person that buys one of these enormous all terrain vehicles, drives it to the supermarket and parks it diagonally across two spaces? That’s what this chapter’s about. Flash too much, and the world either wants what you’ve got—or wants get out their keys and leave a little gift on the paint work. The tao warns us, turn it down, tone it down.
Or in the language of the teapot - More toast, less trumpet.
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If you have ever tried doing Tai Chi on a sandy beach in gale force winds and some dog walker’s standing watching you? Well That’s what we normally think about balance. The wobble-with-style sort. Well - This chapter’s about another sort of balance - that of opposites: good days, bad days, laughter and tears. They don’t cancel each other out—they need each other to make any sense of it all.
Discover the book
All 81 Chapters are available in both illustrated paperback or ebook formats from the Tai Chi store or by following this URL
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Read more about the world of Tai Chi and the tao at https://www.teapotmonk.com