No Sacred, No Secular with Deng Ming-Dao

What is Daoism, really? Bestselling author of 365 Tao, Deng Ming-Dao, joins Religion to Reality to explain Daoist philosophy, Qigong breathwork, Tai Chi, meditation, and why self-cultivation means removing obstacles, not "improving" yourself. Two Catholic hosts, one Daoist teacher, and a surprising conversation about the sacred world, the problem of evil, and the art of listening. 🎧 Full show notes & transcript: https://religiontoreality.org 📚 Deng Ming-Dao's books (start with 365 Tao): https://dengmingdao.com ✉️ Join our free monthly interfaith gathering: https://religiontoreality.substack.com CHAPTERS 00:00 – The Chinese word for "sage" means one who listens 03:00 – Finding the Tao Te Ching as a kid 06:00 – Self-cultivation: divesting obstacles, not self-improvement 07:30 – Qigong: the breath as bridge between body and spirit 14:00 – What a Daoist diet looks like 18:30 – Religious vs. philosophical Taoism 27:00 – What if everything is divine? The sacred world 34:30 – Evil is a human problem, not a divine one 42:00 – Chinese festivals and Tomb Sweeping Day 50:30 – The parable of the useless tree 51:00 – Finding a true teacher on Huashan 56:30 – Mercy, compassion, kindness 1:03:00 – The Daoist art of listening #Daoism #Taoism #TaoTeChing #Qigong #TaiChi #Meditation #Breathwork #Spirituality #InterfaithDialogue #Podcast