“[An] inspiration.” — Alice Walker, The New York Times Book Review Change and anger are in the air. Looking for answers to today’s wrenching challenges, William Martin turns to the Tao Te Ching and finds that while Taoism is known for its quiet, enigmatic wisdom, the Tao can also have the cleansing force of a rushing river. Through his interpretation of this ancient Chinese text, Martin elucidates revolutionary messages condemning power-seeking and greed. He emphasizes that humans have a “natural virtue” that can help them heal the planet; shows how Taoism’s simplicity can be subversive and its flexibility a potent force; and reassures that “when injustice is the rule, justice always lies in wait.” Provocative and stirring, Martin’s Tao flows within and through those who ride the waves of anger and frustration and gently guides them to true freedom. “We have learned the secret of transformation: Injustice feeds our determination. Hate increases our love. Wounds bring forth our healing, and fear uncovers our courage and serenity.” — from The Activist’s Tao Te Ching A student and teacher of Taoism, William Martin is the author of many bestselling books interpreting the Tao Te Ching. He lives with his wife, Nancy, in the hills of Northern California. The Activist's Tao Te Ching Ancient Advice for a Modern Revolution By William Martin New World Library Copyright © 2016 William Martin All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-60868-392-5 Contents Introduction, [ 1 ] Spontaneous Action, [ 2 ] A Quiet Revolution, [ 3 ] We Are Not Fooled, [ 4 ] Without Agenda, [ 5 ] No Preferences, [ 6 ] Sure Hope, [ 7 ] Success, [ 8 ] True Power, [ 9 ] No Praise, No Blame, [ 10 ] Qualities, [ 11 ] I Don't Know, [ 12 ] Information or Wisdom?, [ 13 ] Hope and Fear, [ 14 ] Formless Flow, [ 15 ] Unlikely Rebels, [ 16 ] Return to Source, [ 17 ] All by Ourselves, [ 18 ] Structures, [ 19 ] Decrease, [ 20 ] Bread and Circuses, [ 21 ] A Light Within, [ 22 ] The Acceptance Paradox, [ 23 ] Perspective, [ 24 ] Be Completely Who We Are, [ 25 ] The Womb of Tao, [ 26 ] Distraction, [ 27 ] The Secret, [ 28 ] Embracing Everything, [ 29 ] No Objectives, [ 30 ] Subversion, [ 31 ] Weapons, [ 32 ] One Thing, [ 33 ] Within Ourselves, [ 34 ] Hidden Power, [ 35 ] Engrossed but Exhausted, [ 36 ] New Foundations, [ 37 ] Silence, [ 38 ] No Rules, [ 39 ] Leaders, [ 40 ] No Us, [ 41 ] Paradox Abounds, [ 42 ] Balance, [ 43 ] Stillness, [ 44 ] Siren Songs, [ 45 ] The Common Man, [ 46 ] Contentment, [ 47 ] The World Inside, [ 48 ] Laid Aside, [ 49 ] Ideals, [ 50 ] Life and Death, [ 51 ] Not Alone, [ 52 ] Shut the Gates, [ 53 ] Mind Training, [ 54 ] Wellspring, [ 55 ] The Nature of Things, [ 56 ] Those Who Talk Don't Know, [ 57 ] Anarchy, [ 58 ] A Certain Courage, [ 59 ] Connected, [ 60 ] No Force Necessary, [ 61 ] No Argument, [ 62 ] Disagreement, [ 63 ] Without Ado, [ 64 ] A Small Step, [ 65 ] Is That True?, [ 66 ] Lead with Humility, [ 67 ] Our Weapons, [ 68 ] Anger, [ 69 ] No Enemy, [ 70 ] Understanding Origins, [ 71 ] Healing, [ 72 ] Trust Ourselves, [ 73 ] A Hidden Path, [ 74 ] The Price, [ 75 ] Controlled by Wanting, [ 76 ] Like Bamboo, [ 77 ] Balance, [ 78 ] Fluid Power, [ 79 ] No Blame, [ 80 ] After the Revolution, [ 81 ] Truth?, Afterword, Acknowledgments, About the Author, CHAPTER 1     SPONTANEOUS ACTION     Ideas, concepts, and words     have separated us from life.     Masquerading as friends,     they have made us enemies     of each other.     Free of our own prejudices,     we act with spontaneity.     We move naturally.     We accomplish what is necessary.     Caught in our prejudices,     we act as puppets,     moving in lockstep     to the beat of commerce.     All emerges from the Tao,     all returns to the Tao in time.     Meanwhile darkness deepens,     bringing fear and despair.     Darkness faced, however,     opens into daylight. There is a transformative movement within the Tao that cannot be stopped, any more than water can be stopped from returning to its ocean home. Dams can be built, but it will seep under, flow over, burst through, or evaporate and rain on the other side. This is the energy we have flowing within and through us.     A QUIET REVOLUTION     Change does not come     from eloquence or persuasion.     When injustice is the rule,     justice always lies in wait.     Where oppression flourishes,     freedom ever lurks.     Where death is the threat,     life springs into being.     The darkness of power,     unknowing, contains the seeds     of a bright new light.     Therefore the people act     but do not force;     they teach without agenda     and let freedom emerge     without conscious effort. We want justice now! But if we let the Tao flow through us, it alone will break the dam, sweep away the debris of greed, and cleanse our culture's