Lao-Te Ching Essay

“The Tao-te Ching is as much about good government as it is moral behavior.” (Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching 203.) The points Lao-tzu was trying to get across can be interpreted in many ways… But ultimately it resulted in a form of guidance given to us. Understanding how to be a good leader is beneficial to everyone. Good leadership is a great characteristic to have, and learning ways of minimizing the power you have as a leader is going to be the key to the Tao. Being able to identify the means of Lao-tzu’s teachings will help an individual such as a political leader to limit power, also by understanding his word it can help individuals overcome obstacles, lastly his teachings can influence a society to learn respect for one another.

Lao-tzu's

use of the term Tao can be understood in the way an individual acts. Taoism is about embracing life today and not being stuck in the past. The actions you display should benefit the common good of those around you. If the way you're acting benefits others then you're said to be in harmony with the Tao.
"All streams flow to the sea / because it is lower than they are.

/ Humility gives it its power." (Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching 213 line 53.)

Some key points Lao-tzu addressed are selfless actions lead to a happier life. Going through life in a calm and collective manner will show others to respect you; not being controlling will allow for better personal relationships in life.

Lao-tzu explains how a political leader should govern a state:

"The master leads / by emptying people’s minds / and filling their cores, / by weaking their ambition / and toughening their resolve. / He helps people lose everything / they know, everything they desire, / and creates confusion / in those who think that they know." (Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching 206 line 2.)

Lao-tzu makes us understand the correct way leadership works. He wants political leaders to direct their people without repression. He is not forceful, demanding, or aggressive; instead he is nurturing. The leader who can give his people free choice not only trusts his people but he trusts himself. Dominance becomes the reason for disaster, without dominance people find peace. Governing to strict and doing things against the wish of your people can cause them to lose their trust and respect towards you. Follow the rules of the Tao-te Ching and one becomes a true leader. Knowing that the people of your nation will make mistakes and allowing for it to happen will only benefit you in the

end.
The Tao is "The Way" no matter the situation. (Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching 203.) Diseases, maintaining relationships, and having financial problems are just a few of life’s many trials and obstacles. Sometimes you feel hopeless. Believing in what Lao-tzu was teaching will allow us to look at life differently and help us to overcome. The Tao wants people to look at their problems as things that are naturally going to occur, but he wants to direct them through it. By believing in the Tao, one learns new solutions to overcome and succeed in life. The Tao is very minimal in power. Wanting you to do things for yourself Lao-tzu presents a laid back approach of governing. The role of a leader is to guide people not strangle them.
If you want to be a good leader the Tao says:
“… You must learn to follow the Tao. / Stop trying to control. / Let go of the fixed plans and concepts, / and the world will govern itself.” (Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching 211 line 35.)
The concept of “letting go” requires trust. Believing your people are good is important if you’re going to lead and direct them. The Tao is not restrictive, instead he is open to interpretation. The Tao knows his people are not perfect, but instead of demanding them to be perfect he allows for error. If you punish an action before it was going to happen you restrict free will and free thought. If you punish an action after it has happen you only increase reason for rebellion. By trusting your people and not restricting or punishing them you eventually will receive respect. Respect is something that is earned especially in a leadership position.
If you can identify the means of Lao-tzu’s teaching, learn to limit power when it is given to you, find calm and collective ways of overcoming obstacles, and earn respect from your people without demanding it then clearly you are in harmony with the Tao and have accomplished the ultimate gift in life… You have become selfless.