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The Path of Return: (10) Embracing Cycles and Renewal in Taoist Philosophy

In the Taoist view, Returning or Fu embodies a fundamental law of nature: the movement back to the origin. This concept celebrates the cyclical rhythms that guide all of existence, from the changing seasons to life’s own transformations. The character for Fu (复) suggests not only a return to a prior state but a renewal—a re-entering into the essence of things. Taoism views each return as part of a universal cycle, where moving outward is inseparably linked with returning inward, emphasizing that true change is found in a continuous reconnection with one’s core.

Fu embodies a movement that is not linear but cyclical. This perspective challenges the modern view that progress requires perpetual forward motion. In Taoist philosophy, progress is often found in revisiting, revising, and re-engaging with what is essential. Like the ebb and flow of the tides, returning is a restorative force that brings balance, wisdom, and realignment, encouraging one to observe where they have been to understand where they are going.

In life’s many phases, Returning calls for reflection on one’s journey. It implies that growth does not always entail new pursuits but often a reconnection with our innate qualities—those that society or ambition may cause us to overlook. Taoism views this reconnection not as a step backward but as an invitation to nourish the self at its most elemental level, embracing a simplicity that is enriched by experience.

This concept extends into the natural world. Just as rivers return to the ocean and seasons cycle back to spring, everything in nature follows a returning path. Taoism sees humans as part of this natural order, not separate from it. By observing these cycles in nature, one gains insight into the rhythm of existence, learning to trust that every end brings forth a beginning, and every departure eventually leads to a homecoming.

The practice of Returning, then, cultivates humility. It dissolves the notion of unyielding independence, which the ego often clings to, and encourages us to see ourselves as fluid participants in a larger cycle. Taoist thought encourages one to let go of rigid attachments and to return willingly to states of stillness, quiet, and contemplation. Through Fu, one finds freedom in yielding, in allowing oneself to flow back to one’s authentic state without resistance.

A key aspect of Returning is in its relation to harmony. In Taoism, living in accordance with natural cycles is viewed as essential for cultivating a harmonious life. When we resist returning—whether to a state of rest after activity or to simplicity after complexity—we disrupt our natural rhythm. Fu teaches us that wisdom is often found in retreat, in moments of withdrawal where clarity can emerge. It is in these spaces that transformation takes root, for each return strengthens the spirit’s ability to adapt.

Returning, therefore, is not about rejecting the new but about honouring the eternal. In a world driven by ceaseless novelty, Fu serves as a reminder that deepening roots is as important as spreading branches. It asks us to value reflection as highly as we value action, to remember that within each ending lies the seed of renewal.

In embracing Returning, consider where you might allow yourself to revisit aspects of your life that bring you strength and stability. What elements of your journey could benefit from a return to simplicity? Where might stepping back bring you closer to your true self? Taoist wisdom suggests that the answers are not found solely in forward motion but often in looking back to find the essence waiting within.

Ok so what if instead of all this "it's okay if you didn't accomplish anything in 2024" thing, what if we try a "you know what, actually, you should do better in 2025" thing?

Because at a certain point we are gonna have to give up this it's-okay-to-not-be-okay mentality and actually be okay and actually do things with ourselves and actually get out of our comfort zone (that is anything but comfortable).

You can't stay in survivor mode forever, you can't heal your inner child forever; at a certain point you're gonna have to move on to the grown up world and start living. Why not now?

Social media does a lot of babysitting of emotions and around this time of the year you'll see an awful lot of people claiming that the people who are celebrating their accomplishments are "curating" their lives or even that they're faking it. And, I mean, of course most people prefer to present their highest points instead of their lowest, but let me tell you something little star: if you need to convince yourself that anybody who seems happy and proud of themselves online is faking it or exaggerating it, you have a problem.

Because actually, actually, it's not a sign of a healthy mind to feel bad that others are doing something good with their lives. If you have to turn away when you see people doing their "2024 wrapped" posts and whatnot, you're not actually a person who's healing, you're a person who's envious and insecure. And that's not okay to accept without consequence.

If you really feel like you haven't done anything with your 2024, then you're either not giving yourself enough credit (meaning you actually accomplished a lot but don't see these accomplishments as noteworthy), or you actually haven't done anything other than sit around and look at a screen all day deceiving yourself that it's okay to not be okay forever. And none of these options are signs of a healthy mindset.

And when I talk about accomplishments, I don't mean the big things. I don't mean getting a lot of money or promotions, or getting married or getting a baby, or losing a ton of weight and getting a glow up. I'm talking about things like being happy and healthy and learning new skills and going places and having fun. And if you really, really haven't done anything, big or small, in your entire year, then baby, it's actually not okay. A year is a long time to do nothing at all.

So maybe use this time of year to get inspired by people you see who have accomplished a lot or a little, instead of ignoring it all as "fake social media status". Maybe reassess the way you look at your own accomplishments. Maybe reorganize your life so that by December of 2025 you won't be throwing a self-pity party anymore.

Get inspired and get your shit together, little star. 💫

some of my fave dune letterboxd reviews lol

"It was funny trying to figure out in this futuristic space talk, like, how do they flirt? What does that look like for a space warrior and the young duke of a planet? How do they show that they like each other? What does that even sound like? We were definitely trying to navigate that, which was funny because all of us were stumped. I think it’s just as foreign to us as it probably is to the characters.”

“Awkward and uncomfortable—there’s all those things.”

“I was like, Does Chani get awkward? Does that happen to her? Does she know what that feels like?”

--Zendaya, on Chani Kynes in Dune: Part 2 (2023)

“Suzi” by John ‘Jamal’ Nwabiani 

Best Brasileira in the business 😍🇧🇷

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEgJ_BTj9rq/ 

As Shantideva says, suffering has many good qualities because it purifies our negative karma, increases our renunciation and compassion, reduces our pride, and helps us to overcome our bad mental habits. If we think in this way we will feel that difficult circumstances are our best friends. When our mind is balanced in this way it becomes as stable as Mount Meru, and nothing can cause it to shake.

Rest in a natural way like a small child.

Rest like an ocean without waves.

Rest within clarity like a candle flame.

Rest without self-concerns like a human corpse.

Rest unmoving like a mountain.

~ The Mahasiddha Milarepa

Cindy Kimberly as Santanico Pandemonium

Sofia Subramaniam by Christine Hahn via Instagram

Esta foto la hice hace ya varios años, sin embargo es muy actual, lamentablemente, sobre todo en momentos en que los medios ocultan el conflicto Mapuche o lo vuelven una cacería de brujas que le hace bien a la derecha. #photography #urbanphotography #fotografiacallejera #portrait #streetportrait #streetstyle #retrato #mapuche #urbanmodel #streetphotography #color #people #faces #urban #chile #chilegram #chronicles #cronica #gente #life #urbanphoto #ledezma182 #marcha #photojournalism #protest #protesta #civilrights #fight #libertad

‘Noureddine (Portrait of a Young Man)’, c.1983 by Claudio Bravo (1937–2011). Chilean artist. oil on canvas

“Although I write books, it always astonishes me that people write books. It’s strange to imagine the people one loves laboriously gathering words together, absent from the world for such a long time.”

— Alejandro Zambra, from ‘Travelling With Books’, Not to Read (trans. Megan McDowell)

Chilean artist Carolina Landea

This video was made for me specifically

lost focus and had a consensual workplace relationship

HEAT HEAT HEAT HEAT