Group Presentation

1. The Tao Te Ching
By Yolandra Brown, Nicole Smith,
& Alexis Burkhardt

2. Thought Provoking
THE TAO IS OPPOSITE OF WESTERN CULTURE.
It emphasizes power in the Tao (universe) rather than people.
Controversial because we are raised to believe that as individuals,
we are ultimately in control of our own lives.
American culture: Be assertive, make your own way, and “pull
yourself up by your bootstraps.”
“Rus
fail hing in
you . Tryin to act
pro lose th g to grion, yo
j
ruinect to em. Fo asp th u
ripe what compl rcing ings,
.” (6 e a
trol. 4) was altion, yo
“Stop trying to con s anD
n
mos
t u
Let go of fixed plaworld
concepts, and the ” (57)
will govern itself.

3. The idea of rushing ahead is seen in our own culture. For
example, many young girls try to act much older than they are,
and many older women cling to their youth. But these are
unnatural and go against nature.

4. The idea of rushing ahead is seen in our own culture. For
example, many young girls try to act much older than they are,
and many older women cling to their youth. But these are
unnatural and go against nature.

5. n t ...
Co
The idea of “non-action” may seem foreign to us, as
Americans always seem to be in such a hurry.
“True mastery Can be Gained by letting
Things Go Their own Way. it can’t be
gained by interfering.” (48)
“Just stay at the center of the circle, and let
things take their course.” (19)
Knowing that the universe is guiding us can be a comfort;
relief in knowing that we don’t always have to worry about
fixing problems.

6. The Tao Te Ching challenges the
“American Dream.”
Tao Te Ching would claim that the “American Dream” places too much
emphasis on individual power rather than the ultimate power of the
Tao.
Living in the moment by banishing hopes, fears, and desires, as they serve
as distractions.

7. The Tao Te Ching challenges the
“American Dream.”
Tao Te Ching would claim that the “American Dream” places too much
emphasis on individual power rather than the ultimate power of the
Tao.
Living in the moment by banishing hopes, fears, and desires, as they serve
as distractions.

8. The Tao Te Ching challenges the
“American Dream.”
Tao Te Ching would claim that the “American Dream” places too much
emphasis on individual power rather than the ultimate power of the
Tao.
Living in the moment by banishing hopes, fears, and desires, as they serve
as distractions.

9. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

10. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

11. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

12. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

13. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

14. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

15. Again, con
t
we are lar radicts Western soc
goals. gely driven iety, as
by our hop
es and
“Hope and f
arise from ear are both phanto
don’t see th thinking of the self. ms that “Be co
W
fear?” (13) e self as self, what do hen we with nten
we have to wha t
have t you
; rejo
the w ice in
ay th
are.
When ings
real you
ther ize t
e is n hat
othin
lack
whol ing, t g
e wo he
belon rld
gs to
you.”
(44)

16. Contemporary
Issues
THE TAO PRESENTS CONTRASTING VIEWS TO THE
UNITED STATES ABOUT HOW PEOPLE SHOULD BE
GOVERNED
ning a is
“G over untry
ge cog a small
lar yin
fr u spoil it
like . Yo h
fish too muc
with ing.” (60)
pok

17. Contemporary
Issues
THE TAO PRESENTS CONTRASTING VIEWS TO THE
UNITED STATES ABOUT HOW PEOPLE SHOULD BE
GOVERNED
ning a is
“G over untry
ge cog a small
lar yin
fr u spoil it
like . Yo h
fish too muc
with ing.” (60)
pok

18. “IF A NATION IS CENTERED IN THE TAO, IF IT NOURISHES
ITS OWN PEOPLE AND DOESN’T MEDDLE IN THE AFFAIRS OF
OTHERS, IT WILL BE THE LIGHT TO ALL NATIONS.” (61)
The U.S. continuously
meddles in other countries
affairs, serving as some may
view the “know-it-all”.
The U.S. acts in this way to
maintain its standing as a
powerful nation, but this
action also makes other
nations annoyed by us.
The Tao states that if the U.S.
wants to be a model nation
to others, we should instead
keep to our own affairs.

19. “IF A NATION IS CENTERED IN THE TAO, IF IT NOURISHES
ITS OWN PEOPLE AND DOESN’T MEDDLE IN THE AFFAIRS OF
OTHERS, IT WILL BE THE LIGHT TO ALL NATIONS.” (61)
The U.S. continuously
meddles in other countries
affairs, serving as some may
view the “know-it-all”.
The U.S. acts in this way to
maintain its standing as a
powerful nation, but this
action also makes other
nations annoyed by us.
The Tao states that if the U.S.
wants to be a model nation
to others, we should instead
keep to our own affairs.

20. “If you want to
govern the people,
you must place
yourself below
them.” (65)
“When the
government is to
intrusive, people
lose their
spirit.” (75)
“For governing a
country well
there is nothing
better than
moderation.” (59)

21. “If you want to
govern the people,
you must place
yourself below
them.” (65)
“When the
government is to
intrusive, people
lose their
spirit.” (75)
“For governing a
country well
there is nothing
better than
moderation.” (59)