Opting Out with Lao Tzu

My Taoist Journey Away from Political Mayhem

If Lao Tzu ever tweeted—and thank the cosmos he didn’t—he’d likely advise, “Steer clear of the madness, my friends.” 

Here I am, drinking my morning Peet’s Coffee, chuckling at the frenzied world of politics, a world I will continue to watch from the sidelines thanks to the ancient wisdom of the Tao Te Ching.” While our political leaders exchange verbal volleys that could fuel an entire season of reality TV, I'm here lounging in my armchair, pondering the uncarved block of human nature. 

Why the serenity, you ask? Well, let’s take a whimsical stroll down Taoist lane.

Lao Tzu, that elusive sage, has been whispering in my ear through his cryptic yet profound verses, guiding me like a GPS recalculating away from the highway of political entanglement. 

His advice? Simplicity, patience, compassion: simplicity in actions, patience with events, and compassion towards all beings—including those politically possessed souls broadcasting their opinions like they’re going out of style.

In stark contrast, Confucius was all about engaging with the state. The man was practically a LinkedIn influencer avant la lettre, networking in the courts, advocating for moral uprightness and a well-ordered society. 

Where Confucius would have us jump into the arena, sleeves rolled up, ready to sort out the chaos, Lao Tzu suggests maybe, just maybe, sitting this one out might be an option too. As he exhorts in a famous stanza in the Tao te Ching:

“Do you want to improve the world? Well, I don’t think it can be done.”

And let's not forget the Jehovah's Witnesses, bless their persistent hearts. They opt out of the political fray for reasons more eschatological than philosophical, holding their neutrality as tightly as they hold their Watchtowers. Like Lao Tzu, they sidestep the governmental melee but for entirely different end goals.

So, how do I navigate this tempestuous sea of Trump-Biden squabbles with Taoist aplomb? Lao Tzu tells us, “The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.” Take that to mean, the more you try to argue with that conservative uncle about healthcare policies or immigration, the less likely you are to pass the potatoes in peace. 

It’s a lesson in the futility of force-feeding ideas to those not hungry for change. Lao Tzu’s approach—doing without doing—sounds like a paradox unless you’ve ever won an argument by simply nodding and smiling, letting the storm of words pass by, leaving your opponent with nothing but their own echo to argue with.

Throughout the heart of the Tao Te Ching, there’s this idea of reducing desires, both personally and politically. Lao Tzu isn’t anti-ambition; he’s anti-agitation. 

In today’s terms, he’d likely advise against refreshing your Twitter “X” feed every thirty seconds for the latest political punditry. Instead, he urges us to understand that by reducing our involvement in the endless debates and power struggles, we might just find that the best way to govern is to live by example, not by decree.

This ancient sage also speaks of the state as a “sacred vessel” that shouldn’t be mishandled. Imagine telling today’s politicians that their office is a sacred vessel—how many would pause before plastering their slogans on it? 

Lao Tzu sees governance as an art of balance, where less is often more. In an era where political platforms are built on promises of drastic changes, Lao Tzu’s call to minimize intervention and maximize freedom seems almost revolutionary—or should I say, de-revolutionary?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not advocating for apathy. Lao Tzu’s advice isn’t about indifference; it’s about influence through tranquility. It’s about understanding that sometimes, the most potent action is inaction (or at least not getting sucked into the vortex of vitriol).

As I watch the fiery exchanges between Trump and Biden supporters, I’m reminded of Lao Tzu's words: “A great leader speaks little. He never speaks carelessly.” 

In an age where speaking often and loudly is mistaken for leadership, maybe it’s time to reconsider the power of silence. After all, in silence, we can’t say something we’ll regret—though we might tweet it if not careful.

So, as the political pot continues to boil, I’ll be sticking with Lao Tzu. Let others dive into the heated debates. In the meantime, I’ll be over here, reducing my desires, enlarging my peace, and perhaps influencing more through my calm than I ever could through my clamor.

In the end, as Lao Tzu might suggest, the world governs itself. Maybe it’s time we let it.

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