A “Newtral” Way Forward or A Neutral Way Forward
When I was a schoolteacher, I posted a theme in my classroom from Chapter 71 of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. It expressed a profound truth: believing we know everything is a form of illness, while recognizing our own ignorance is the path to wisdom and health. This idea aligns with the Taoist perspective that rigid distinctions between “right” and “wrong” create mental unrest, while embracing uncertainty fosters inner peace.
I find myself returning to that theme today as I reflect on the current social and political climate. Esoterically, I see us in a “Tower” moment metaphor from the Tarot. One that signifies upheaval, dismantling, and transformation. It is a moment in which the collapse of the human ego could be the key to our collective healing. And perhaps, it should be.
This dismantling of ego is not forced upon us—it is a choice. We face this choice whenever we remember that we are not meant to be mastered by ego, but to master neutrality.
The Power of Neutrality
Neutrality is not passive, it is a potent force, especially in times of division. It does not come from apathy or detachment but from recognizing the limits of our own perspective. In today’s polarized world, cultivating neutrality is one of the most powerful ways we can regain clarity, compassion, and connection.
I see many of you who follow me and whom I follow—leaning in this direction. To support that shift, here are four ways to practice neutrality when the illusion of ego runs deep in political discourse.
The Ego Thrives on Polarity
At the root of division is the mind’s tendency to categorize—right vs. wrong, good vs. bad, my side vs. yours. This is the illusion of ego: the belief that our perspective is absolute while others are misguided or dangerous. But the Tao Te Ching reminds us that reality is fluid, not fixed.
The moment we become certain that our reality is the reality, we trap ourselves in a cycle of conflict. Let’s pause and ask: Where in our own thinking have we become rigid? Where are we mistaking certainty for truth?
Neutrality as a Path to Clarity
Neutrality is not avoidance; it is an intentional refusal to be consumed by the ego’s need to take sides. When we step beyond dualistic thinking, we access a deeper truth: all perspectives are incomplete, shaped by personal experiences and biases.
By practicing neutrality, we cultivate clarity—seeing beyond argument to the larger, interconnected reality. Where in our own lives can we open a dialogue with someone who sees things differently? Not to change them, but to understand them?
Releasing the Need to ‘Win’
So much of today’s political discourse is about dominance—who is right, who is wrong, who “wins” the debate. But the Tao Te Ching teaches that clinging to control is futile; the world moves as it will.
When we let go of the need to be “right” or to prove others wrong, we create space for genuine dialogue. Instead of defending positions, we can inquire, listen, and adapt—allowing new insights to emerge that would have been impossible in a battle of egos. Where in our conversations can we shift from debate to dialogue?
Flowing Instead of Forcing
Taoism suggests that true change does not come through force but through alignment with the natural flow of things. Instead of resisting opposing views, we can observe them without judgment, recognizing them as part of a larger, evolving system.
This doesn’t mean abandoning our principles. It means approaching differences with curiosity rather than hostility. Where in our relationships can we create flow instead of friction?
A New Way Forward
What if we let go of the illusion that one side is entirely right, and the other is entirely wrong? What if, instead of defending rigid identities, we embraced the complexity of human experience?
The Tao Te Ching reminds us that wisdom is not found in certainty but in openness. In a time of deep political division, neutrality and the dissolution of ego are not just acts of peace, they are acts of power.
Optional P.S.
If you’d like to see an example of someone who is making a personal effort to be more neutral, to be a better listener, and to look for flow versus force, watch this. Recently Glenn
Kirschner made a career change. I applaud his efforts. https://youtu.be/VSZ8NGhUgH0?si=AEclRyuqrFPYeIgI
