The soft glow of my time machine faded as I stepped onto the dusty soil of 6th-century BCE China. The air felt different here—cleaner, filled with subtle scents of wild herbs and wood smoke from distant villages. I had journeyed across time for a purpose: to meet the legendary founder of Taoism, Laozi, and learn directly from his wisdom.

Why, you might wonder, would I travel so far back in time? In my kingdom in a parallel universe, we have lived in harmony for thousands of years, guided by principles similar to what Laozi taught. But I’ve seen troubling visions of Earth’s future—a path of increasing disconnection from nature’s laws, endless consumption, and eventually, devastating conflict that will spread beyond your world into others, including my own.

I believe the wisdom of Taoism holds the keys to avoiding this dark future. So much has been lost or misunderstood over the centuries. I needed to hear it from the source.

Finding the Master

I found Laozi meditating beneath an ancient oak tree. He seemed unsurprised by my arrival, his eyes calm and knowing as I approached. Perhaps when one truly understands the Tao, even visitors from other times and dimensions seem part of life’s natural flow.

He simply said he had been expecting someone, though not quite someone like me. I smiled and introduced myself as Queen DiLaylita, from a time and place far beyond his imagination. I explained that I had come to learn from him—to understand the wisdom that my people have followed instinctively, but that Earth’s people are forgetting.

Understanding the Tao

I asked Laozi to explain what the Tao truly is, as in my world, we live in harmony with natural laws, but I could see Earth’s future becoming increasingly chaotic as people lose connection with these principles.

He began with his famous words: “The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.”

Seeing my puzzled expression, he explained more clearly. “The Tao,” he said, “is the natural way of all things—the underlying principle of the universe. It cannot truly be described in words, only experienced. It is both everything and nothing, always changing yet always the same. It flows through all things, bringing balance.”

I shared that in my world, we understand this intuitively, but here on Earth, people are becoming increasingly separated from this understanding.

He nodded knowingly. “People try to control everything,” he observed, “forcing their will upon the world instead of moving with its natural flow. This creates suffering and disharmony.”

I was curious how people could reconnect with the Tao in their everyday lives.

Living with Wu Wei: Effortless Action

Laozi introduced me to the concept of wu wei—action through non-action. “This doesn’t mean doing nothing,” he clarified. “It means acting naturally, without forcing, like water flowing downhill. Water is soft and yielding, yet it overcomes the hard and rigid. This is the power of wu wei.”

I mentioned that in my kingdom, we operate this way in government too. We create conditions for harmony rather than controlling people with many rules.

He smiled warmly at this. “The best ruler,” he said, “is hardly known by the people. The next best is loved and praised. The next is feared. The worst is hated. When the ruler’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!’”

As we sat by a small stream, he picked up a leaf floating by. He pointed out how the leaf doesn’t fight the current but travels far without effort. “People think they must struggle and compete to succeed,” he noted, “but often, this creates more problems.”

I wondered aloud how someone could practice wu wei in today’s busy world.

His advice was simple: “Stop trying to control every outcome. Trust your natural abilities. When cooking, don’t overthink each step—let your hands work naturally. When speaking with others, don’t plan every word—let conversation flow. When facing problems, don’t rush to fix everything—sometimes waiting reveals better solutions.”

Finding Balance: Yin and Yang

As our conversation continued, a cloud passed over the sun, casting shadows across the ground. Laozi used this moment to teach me about yin and yang.

He pointed to how shadow and light dance together, explaining that this is yin and yang—opposing forces that actually complement each other. They are not good versus evil, but necessary parts of a whole. Life and death, growth and rest, strength and weakness—all contain their opposites.

I reflected that on Earth, people often chase only one side—always wanting happiness without sadness, success without failure.

“This creates imbalance,” he confirmed. “To find harmony, we must accept both sides. Work must be balanced with rest. Speaking must be balanced with listening. Giving must be balanced with receiving.”

When I asked how people could apply this practically, he suggested noticing where life lacks balance. If you work too much, rest more. If you talk too much, listen more. If your home is too cluttered, simplify. If your mind is too busy, find quiet. Always seek the middle path.

Simplicity: The Path to Freedom

As evening approached, I watched Laozi prepare a simple meal of rice and vegetables. I mentioned that in Earth’s future, people surround themselves with more and more things, yet feel less and less satisfied.

He nodded thoughtfully. “The more possessions, the more worry,” he said. “When people chase wealth, status, and material things, they become trapped. True wealth is contentment.”

He handed me a bowl of rice.

“This simple meal satisfies hunger completely. A plain cup holds water just as well as a jeweled one. When needs are simple, life becomes rich.”

I asked how people could find contentment in simplicity.

He suggested asking yourself: “What do I truly need?” Not what others have, not what advertisements tell you to want, but what brings real joy. Often it is basic things—good food, clean water, loving connections, meaningful work, time in nature. Beyond these, each new possession brings less happiness and more burden.

The Healing Power of Nature

The next morning, Laozi took me walking through misty mountains.

He explained that the Tao is visible in nature. Trees don’t hurry their growth. Rivers don’t force their path. Animals don’t question their purpose. By spending time in nature, humans remember their true selves.

I shared that in my world, we build our cities around nature, not over it. But on Earth, people increasingly live in concrete spaces, disconnected from natural rhythms.

“This separation creates illness in body and spirit,” he said. “The energy of life—what we call qi—flows through all things. When humans disconnect from nature, this energy becomes blocked.”

I asked how people could reconnect. He suggested: “Even in cities, find small ways. Grow plants. Walk outside daily. Watch clouds and stars. Feel the weather on your skin. Notice seasonal changes and adjust your activities accordingly. Winter is for more rest, summer for more activity. Live with nature’s cycles, not against them.”

Meditation: The Gateway to Inner Peace

That evening, Laozi taught me a simple meditation practice. He explained that the outer world reflects the inner world. When minds are busy and chaotic, lives become the same. Meditation helps find the quiet center within.

I mentioned that many people say they cannot meditate because their thoughts are too busy.

He laughed gently. “That is exactly why they must meditate! Start simply,” he advised, “sit quietly for just five minutes. Focus on your breath. When thoughts come, don’t fight them. Notice them like clouds passing in the sky, then return to your breath. With practice, inner peace grows.”

Lessons for Today’s World

As my time with Laozi neared its end, I asked what message he would give to people living in today’s fast-paced world.

He reminded me that we are part of nature, not separate from it. The same forces that move stars and grow forests flow through us. When we fight against natural laws, we suffer unnecessarily.

He advised practicing wu wei by accepting what is beyond our control while taking appropriate action when needed. Find balance in all things. Simplify your needs and wants. Spend time in nature. Quiet your mind regularly.

And perhaps most importantly, understand that true power comes from harmony, not force. A society that values competition above cooperation, consumption above conservation, and control above flow is building its house on sand.

My Farewell and Promise

As I prepared my time machine for departure, Laozi placed his hand over mine. He said quietly that my journey has purpose. The knowledge I seek has never truly been lost—it waits within each person to be rediscovered.

I nodded, feeling the weight of my mission. I promised to do my best to share what I’ve learned.

I return now to your time carrying these ancient yet timeless teachings. The wisdom of Taoism isn’t just philosophy—it’s a practical path to harmony in a world spinning increasingly out of balance. By embracing these principles—flowing with life rather than fighting it, finding balance, embracing simplicity, connecting with nature, and cultivating inner peace—we might yet change the course of your world’s future.

And perhaps, in doing so, save not only Earth but worlds beyond your knowing.