The Tao of Christmas

Question: Derek, do Taoists celebrate Christmas? Should they? Now that the holiday season has arrived, I am wondering if I should inform my friends and family that, due to my personal belief in the Tao, I will no longer be part of their holiday activities. How would you handle something like that?

Answer: In Tao cultivation, our attention is on the way of existence instead of any particular forms of religious practice. The Tao is a way of life that focuses on the way of life. As such, it does not conflict with holiday celebrations of any faith or any culture. All of them have a way about them that we can observe and act upon in a mindful manner.

For instance, let's consider Thanksgiving. People jokingly refer to it as "Turkey Day," and yet we know it's not about eating turkey. The essence of Thanksgiving lies in the uplifting feeling of gratitude. One of the best ways for us to express that gratitude is to be together with loved ones and let them know, with our presence, how much we appreciate them. When this powerful essence is present in a harmonious gathering, it doesn't matter quite so much what everyone is eating. This is why Tao cultivators have all the reasons in the world to participate in a Thanksgiving dinner - their mindful purpose is to celebrate its essence, rather than to gorge themselves.

It is the same with Christmas. What is the meaning of Christmas? It is not about frantic shopping sprees or fighting through the crowds at the mall. Like the turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, conspicuous consumption is merely an outward, external manifestation of the material world. The inner, truer essence of Christmas has to do with peace, love, family, friendship and goodwill. Being compassionate and giving to others are great ways for us to express this essence - and by doing so, we honor the Christmas spirit.

So, should those who cultivate the Tao celebrate Christmas? I think the answer should be quite obvious. In every aspect of life, Tao cultivators look beyond the superficial to tap into the deeper understanding beneath the surface. Thanksgiving and Christmas are no exceptions. We should feel no hesitation at all in enjoying them. Not only that, but we should also go further and celebrate their true meaning as relatively few people do nowadays. This is how we can focus on the way of life - and become truly aligned with the Tao.

Dealing With Setbacks

Question: Derek, I am a beginner when it comes to the Tao. While I enjoy learning the concepts from your books, I don't always know how to apply them. For instance, I recently lost my job because the winds of change in the economy forced my company to downsize. This was a big blow to me, and I'm not sure how to deal with it from the perspective of the Tao. Can you help me?

Answer: I think your phrase "the winds of change" is something we can use. Chapter 23 of the Tao Te Ching says "the strong wind does not last all morning," thereby pointing to the ever-changing nature of the world. It would not be natural or realistic to expect the strong wind to last forever. We know that it will subside sooner or later, and when it picks up again, it may be blowing in a completely different direction.

Imagine yourself as a sailor on the seas of fate. How would you deal with the changing winds? You can adjust the rigging and the rudder to leverage the wind, no matter which direction it happens to be blowing. You can even sail upwind by using a series of close-hauled legs to make your way toward your destination. As long as there is wind, the sailboat can take advantage of it.

It is the same with life. We can be certain that the winds of fate will not always be blowing in an ideal direction, but the sailboat metaphor teaches us that it doesn't have to. The key lies in the art of sailing. When the wind shifts in direction - as invariably it must - we simply need adjust the sail accordingly. The right adjustments will allow us to continue harnessing the power of the wind.

What might be the life adjustments that we need to make following a shift in the winds of employment? The answer is different for everyone. For some, it may be the acquisition of new skills; for others, it may be a different job market or career track that they have not yet explored fully. The important thing to keep in mind as we contemplate the situation is that it is far from hopeless. A master sailor can always make adjustments to leverage any condition.

But what if the wind dies down? If there is no wind, then there is nothing the sailor can do, even if he is the best sailor in the world. Wouldn't this render the metaphor useless?

No. Quite the opposite. The master sailor is someone who understands that just as strong winds cannot last forever, neither can the total absence of winds. Therefore, he is relaxed in the knowledge that sooner or later, things will change again. He moves about the boat, making sure he has done everything possible in preparation. When the wind picks up again - as invariably it must - it will find him ready to continue his journey.