The Tao of Success
The Five Ancient Rings of Destiny
An Interview with Derek Lin
Author of The Tao of Success
What inspired you to write The Tao of
Success?
Since the publication of my previous book,
The Tao of Daily Life, many readers
have asked for a systematic and structured way to cultivate the Tao. It did not
take long for me to realize that there was a tremendous amount of interest in
this topic, and yet it had never been adequately addressed.
How did you select the stories for the book?
I selected the stories that illustrated the teachings in the most practical,
understandable and memorable way. I wanted my readers to easily recall the
stories to mind when they encountered real-life situations that required the
application of Tao principles.
Many think of Taoism as a philosophy of non-action. How do you reconcile the
passive aspects of the Tao with the book's focus on action and success?
The non-action of Taoism is a Western conception. In the authentic teachings of
the East, the Tao is seen as the optimal balance of the passive and the dynamic.
This is how sages are able to embody an effortless dynamism, with actions
similar to the movements of Tai Chi masters -- graceful, unhurried, and yet
extremely effective. The goal of the book is to approach life and destiny in the
same way.
The teachings forced me to reconsider the idea that one should have no set goals
and just let life happen. This, like the passivity of non-action, was not
something taught by the ancient sages. They saw goal-setting as a tool that one
could use skillfully, and they encouraged their students to set grand and
inspiring goals.
You've worked in a variety of fields throughout your professional life. How has
the Tao helped you succeed in those fields?
There is one Tao teaching that has helped me succeed in my professional life,
and that is the admonition against too much reliance on book knowledge. In every
field I have worked in, there is a gap between book knowledge and reality. Magic
happens when one is able to transform the static information on a written page
into living, dynamic wisdom through actual hands-on experience.
Which stories have had the most impact on your own success?
Without a doubt, the story "The Farmer and the Hunter"(pg.148) had the most
impact on me. It is all about finding solutions by getting into alignment with
other people -- a skill that often comes in handy in today's world.
What do you hope readers take away from
The Tao of Success?
Rather than for the readers to take something away from
The Tao of Success, I hope the book
will take them away on a journey -- a journey to discover, uplift and ultimately
transform the self.