In this episode (1-25), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod guides us through the unseen architecture of karma—how choice structures shape spiritual consequence, and what happens when you interfere with another’s path. Discover why most humans live in a karmic nursery, how to exit it, and the ultimate cost of violating divine law.
This episode blends practical Taoist insight with deeper metaphysical wisdom, showing you how to awaken the Tao mind and walk clearly in a world full of entanglements.
▶ Listen now to understand:
The karmic danger of destroying another’s choices
Why choice perception is a skill you can train
The real meaning of enlightenment in Taoism
How spiritual power creates greater responsibility
This episode comes with a full guide and commentary here: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-25-dont-break-divine-law/
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod reveals that Social Mind is a collection of faulty rationales that are filling your cup with feeling bad and that meditation can create a pathway out of the spiritual nursery.
 
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod outlines how you can avoid calamity and accumulate great spiritual power by consistent action and treating yourself well.  
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Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this episode (1-17), Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores one of the most challenging—and revealing—truths in spiritual development: we are only half real.
The other half is illusion.
Master Steenrod explains how the social mind came to dominate human life, why it has grown stronger over the last few centuries, and why breaking free now requires far more effort than it once did. He discusses the invisible forces that pull people back into unreality—comfort, fear, security, and habit—and how these attachments keep us from experiencing our full existence.
You’ll learn:
Why humans drift toward illusion and cling to the social mind
Why spiritual insight becomes harder as illusion grows stronger
The Taoist principle of concealment—and why you must “shut up” about your mystical experiences
How invocation works, and why asking the Tao for insight actually activates natural brain function
Why fairness is irrelevant to spiritual progress
How effort, belief, and detachment shape your ability to perceive deeper truth
What really happens when you intentionally request insight
Why mystical experiences often arrive during sleep or meditation
How attachments steal the mental resources needed for realization
Why severing attachments—even briefly—can produce waves of insight
Master Steenrod also addresses the difference between contemplation and genuine insight, the role of stillness and acceptance, and why powerful mystical experiences require both intention and discipline.
If you’ve ever wondered why spiritual progress feels difficult—or why moments of clarity seem to vanish as daily life returns—this episode offers the Taoist framework for understanding why, and what to do next.
The full episode guide and commentary can be found here: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-17-you-are-only-half-real/
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

In this bonus episode, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores the true meaning of “not doing” — one of the most misunderstood ideas in Taoist practice. Far from being passive, “not doing” is the natural outgrowth of calm and meditative awareness. It means acting from the deep rhythm of the Tao rather than from habit or fear.Master Steenrod breaks down the mystical and practical divisions of non-action, showing how the real power of Taoist action begins when you stop forcing outcomes. By learning to listen before you act, you begin to align your movement with the world instead of struggling against it.Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

Spiritual progress doesn’t have to be slow. In this powerful bonus episode of Living the Tao, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod breaks down the hidden mechanics behind rapid spiritual growth—and why most people never take advantage of them.
Drawing on classical Taoist principles and the deep pattern work found in the I Ching, Master Steenrod explains how your spiritual development hinges on nine key relationships—including leading vs. following, connection vs. isolation, and creation vs. destruction. These simple but profound factors shape every plan you make, every obstacle you encounter, and every breakthrough you achieve.
You’ll learn:
Why habit—not insight—determines whether you lead, follow, or freeze
How misreading “connection” vs. “isolation” can sabotage progress
Why spiritual development is 100% dependent on choice
How cycles of creation and destruction affect your life and goals
Why stable states never last—and how to stop expecting them to
How small, consistent action outperforms perfection every time
Why discomfort is often the doorway to rapid transformation
Master Steenrod also reveals a core Taoist truth: spirituality can move far faster than most people imagine—if you learn how to work with the patterns of the universe rather than against them.
This is one of the most foundational talks ever given on the show, offering a clear roadmap for navigating the chaos, cycles, and opportunities of real spiritual practice.
Perfect for listeners seeking:Taoism, I Ching wisdom, personal growth, meditation support, self-mastery, spiritual transformation, and practical methods to accelerate their path.
The full guide and commentary to this episode can be found here: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/bonus-ep-1-spirituality-fast-track/
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

Time is limited—but that’s not a curse. It’s the key.
In this newly updated edition of Episode 10, Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod explores how the acknowledgment of death and the finite nature of time can sharpen your purpose, guide your decisions, and deepen your spiritual practice.
➡️ Learn how Taoists view linear and nonlinear time➡️ Explore how the illusion of immortality leads to spiritual weakness➡️ Discover how mortality can become your greatest source of clarity, focus, and strength
Includes a newly formatted transcript and a study guide to support personal or group reflection.
🎧 Stream now and return to one of the most powerful episodes of the series—with fresh insight.
Episode Guide and Commentary available here: https://www.the-taoism-for-modern-world.com/ep-10-poison-of-immortality/
 
Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com

Most people try meditation, struggle with it, and then wonder if they’re doing it wrong. In this episode, Master Mikel Steenrod explains why meditation works from a Taoist perspective—and why those early difficulties aren’t mistakes, but the first signs that the mind is beginning to reorganize itself.
You’ll learn:
• Why attention drifts and what that tells you about your internal state• How meditation rewires awareness rather than “adding calm”• The actual sequence of mind changes that occur as practice deepens• Why the struggle phase is essential—not a failure• How awareness becomes more stable, more present, and more capable over time• The difference between effortful focus and natural attention• What meditation reveals about your unconscious habits and internal tension patterns
Master Steenrod also discusses how to work with your limits, how to avoid common self-judgments that derail practice, and how to tell when meditation is genuinely transforming you.
A clear, practical teaching for anyone building a meditation habit—or returning to one after frustration.
 
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Intro music: “Finding Movement” by Kevin MacLeod — licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Source: incompetech.com