Without God, how can we live a good life according to the Tao?
In many cultural contexts, “God” is often regarded as the ultimate object of faith and guide for life. People habitually entrust their happiness, peace, and hopes for the future to an external supreme being. Yet within traditional Chinese wisdom, Daoist thought has long offered an alternative answer: without relying on an external “God,” one can live a rich and self-sufficient life in the world by following the principles of the Dao and cultivating one’s own mind and nature. This way of life does not depend on transcendent salvation but is rooted in a profound understanding of nature and the self.
1. The Way Follows Nature: Finding Life’s Certainty in Aligning with Patterns
The core Taoist principle “The Way Follows Nature” breaks free from dependence on an “external ruler.” It reveals that objective patterns exist in the universe, independent of human will—from the seasonal cycles and growth of plants to the ebbs and flows of life and societal transformations, all unfold within the operation of the Dao. These laws are not decreed by a “God,” but are the inherent order of nature itself.
When we let go of the fixation on “praying for divine favor” and instead learn to observe and align with the rhythm of the Dao, life gains a direction to follow. Farmers who plow in spring, cultivate in summer, harvest in autumn, and store in winter reap bountiful harvests by following the seasons; People who diligently study in youth, fulfill responsibilities in middle age, and live in peace during old age reduce hardship by aligning with life’s stages. Like the butcher in Zhuangzi’s tale, who dissected oxen with effortless precision, his skill stemmed not from divine power but from understanding the ox’s anatomy—the manifestation of the Dao in concrete form—allowing him to “slide his blade between the thick and thin” with mastery. This attitude of “following the natural order” frees us from external pursuits. By aligning with nature and the essence of life, we gain a grounded sense of security and control in each present moment—the very foundation of a fulfilling life.
2. Non-Action: Finding Inner Peace Through Letting Go of Control
Many yearn for a good life yet often fall into the anxiety of “seeking without attaining”—desiring wealth drives them to relentless pursuit, craving recognition compels them to seek approval, ultimately exhausting both body and mind through excessive “action.” Taoism’s “non-action” offers a path to escape this anxiety: instead of striving for external outcomes, focus on “going with the flow” in the present moment.
“Doing by not doing” is not passive inaction, but rather refraining from forcing interventions that violate the nature of the Tao. Just as nurturing a plant requires sunlight and water without demanding overnight blooms, cultivating a relationship demands sincerity without forcing others to live according to our wishes. When we let go of the obsession that “life must become a certain way” and stop trying to control everything from a “god’s-eye view,” we can instead embrace life’s uncertainties. As Laozi stated, “The highest virtue is like water.” Water flows according to the terrain yet nourishes all things; similarly, when people act in harmony with their true nature and the laws of the universe, free from fixation on gain or loss, inner peace naturally arises. This tranquility is not a “divine gift” but a liberation achieved through relinquishing control—the very foundation of a fulfilling life.
3. Cultivating Within: Building Self-Sufficient Happiness Through Inner Inquiry
Daoism never entrusts the key to happiness to “God,” but emphasizes “cultivating within oneself, for true virtue lies there”—a beautiful life stems from cultivating one’s own character and nature. This “self-cultivation” is not to earn God’s favor, but to become “a person capable of experiencing happiness.”
The essence of “cultivating oneself” lies in inward exploration: through self-reflection, becoming aware of one’s desires and not being swept away by greed; through tolerance, dissolving inner resentment and not being consumed by negative emotions; through a simple life, returning to authenticity and not being enslaved by material possessions. Like the recluses of ancient times, they needed no solace from churches; simply reading and working amidst mountains and waters allowed them to find fulfillment in harmony with their true selves. This contentment relies neither on external judgment nor transcendent faith, but springs from recognizing one’s own worth. When we learn to look inward—no longer asking “Why doesn’t God grant me happiness?” but instead pondering “How can I become a person who experiences happiness?”—we discover: the peace that comes from kindness, the fulfillment from diligence, the joy from simplicity—these are all beauties we can possess without needing any “God.”
Taoist philosophy teaches us that a good life never depends on an external “savior,” but rather on aligning with the Tao, accepting oneself, and cultivating inner growth. Without God, we can still find direction in nature’s laws, belonging in a tranquil mind, and happiness in personal development—because true fulfillment has always been within our own grasp.
