Taoists believe that the way we try to stand outside ourselves in the attempt of self-observation is the source of most, if not all, of our unhappiness and loneliness. This is because order to use self-observation, we must see our "self" as separate from other "selves." We become self-conscious and alienate ourselves from what is most important. Taoism focuses on keeping ones attention on the greater whole instead of on the self.

Moderation

Taoists believe that freedom can be attained through moderation. To attain freedom, one must recognize and accept limitations, for when one knows how far he or she can reach, they will have perfect freedom to choose just how far within that range to reach. Maximum freedom occurs when one is in the middle between major and minor limitations, which, in other words, is moderation. Then one will have the maximum range in which to alter his or her behaviour.

"Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner. Do your work, then step back. The only path to serenity."     Tao Te Ching, Chapter 9

Embracing the Mystery

Despite religion and science and technology, there is still plenty about the environment we live in that we know nothing about. Most of our lives consist of coping with all the mysteries and many times we feel confused, angered and frightened by what we dont know and cant understand. Instead of fighting against these mysteries, Taoists embrace them. They enjoy every confusion and misunderstanding and mysterious thing they see, because to them, life is a game, and games aren't fun without both the possibility of winning and the equal possibility of losing. Mystery is what makes games fun, and to Taoists, mystery is what makes life fun. They look within themselves and see all that they don't understand, and they like it that way. This is because they're centred in the Tao, they don't need to worry about that which they don't understand.

Non-Contrivance

Taoism warns against contrived or consciously manipulated morals. This is because contrived morals are stiff, whereas nature is dynamic. Contrived morals, therefore, are against nature.

Another point is that the purpose of contrived morals is usually not for better living, but for greater control. Nature is not something that can be controlled; it controls itself. You needn't impose your control on it, or let others impose their control on you.

"If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao. Stop trying to control. Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself. The more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be. The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be. The more subsidies you have, the less self-reliant people will be. Therefore the Master says: I let go of the law, and people become honest. I let go of economics, and people become prosperous. I let go of religion, and people become serene. I let go of all desire for the common good, and the good becomes common as grass." Tao Te Ching, Chapter 57

Detachment

We know from the Tao principles that that there are two polarities that dominate existence: sun/moon, winter/summer, etc. To become attached to one over the other results in a misunderstanding of them, because in nature you cant have one without the other.

Learning is part of life, but what you learn doesnt belong to you. To attach yourself to learning is to misunderstand the knowledge.

Life and death are cycles of nature. To attach oneself to life and fear death is to misunderstand life. Life is a cycle there is no victory or loss.

Taoism contradicts the Puritan work ethic. The Tao Te Ching teaches that playing gives purpose to work, and work gives perspective to playing. It warns that anything excessive will lead to its excessive opposite. By preaching that everyone must work excessively, people will seek more exciting and destructive forms of play to take up the little free time they feel they are allowed.

Throughout life we constantly struggle to increase our possessions and eliminate misfortunes. This struggle is what gives us motivation to go further in life. Remember, however, that without this struggle there would be nothing to motivate us to improve out lives. Therefore, Taoism teaches us to honor the enemy and to play fairly and honorably.

Humility

Humility means to do your job with detachment from the outcome. Your goal is to complete your task and commit yourself from moment to moment; doing all that it takes to get the job done. Success will come with each moment you do this.