The Tao – Step 6

The Tao – Step 6

How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This conversation from the Tao of Our Understanding Alcohol Recovery Podcast leans into that question by pairing Step 6 of Alcoholics Anonymous with Taoist wisdom.

Host Buddy C brings together Kate, Libby, Brian and Lou to look at what it really means to be "entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character." Instead of treating Step 6 as a guilt trip or a personality overhaul, they talk about it as willingness, surrender and becoming "empty" enough for change to happen.

Lou kicks things off with a simple story about losing two items at home, spending ten days obsessing, then finally letting go – and finding both within minutes. As he puts it, "As soon as I let go, almost immediately after I let go, [the answer] popped in my brain." That story becomes a practical picture of wu wei: effortless action and non‑attachment. The group then unpacks how Taoist ideas help with Step 6.

Kate shares how she once saw only a huge list of faults, to the point of panic, but now finds comfort in the Tao Te Ching’s reminder to "step back from your own mind and thus understand all things." Libby links readiness to trust and humility, quoting Ursula K. Le Guin’s translation and Wayne Dyer’s reflections on surrender and gratitude.

Brian and Buddy get very down‑to‑earth about anger, resentment and everyday irritations, from snarky emails to rage in the supermarket queue. Rather than pretending those reactions vanish, they talk about noticing emotions, pausing, and choosing a small loving action instead – like silently wishing someone well or picking up rubbish in a car park.

This episode suits anyone in 12‑step recovery who’s wrestling with defects of character, struggling with anger, or curious how Taoist philosophy can sit alongside existing spiritual beliefs. It might leave you asking where you could "let go or get dragged" a little less in your own life.