The Tao of Hot Wheels

Non-contention. Lao Tzu noted that violence and conflict could only cause negative side effects. The Tao ideal is to solve problems through peaceful means. In other words, keep plenty of Hot Wheels handy at all times, and no one gets hurt.

Non-action. Foolish folks expend a great deal of energy and time trying to do everything and end up achieving nothing. Conversely, the truly wise don't seem to do much at all and yet achieve whatever they want. Like when Jack says “car” and the Hot Wheels automatically appear from purses, pockets, under car seats...

Non-intention. People often perform virtuous deeds hoping to receive praise or recognition. That's no virtue at all. True virtue is a state where such actions happen naturally, requiring no conscious effort or thought. In preschool, that means you’re sharing your Hot Wheels when no one is looking.

Simplicity. The basis for our reality and our existence is elemental and uncomplicated. Human beings create a lot of trouble for themselves by making everything more complex than it needs to be. In Jack’s world, it’s so simple; just hand over the Hot Wheels.

Wisdom. Logic has its place in human affairs but isn't everything. There is a limit to what we can understand through rationality and reasoning. Why do all little boys love Hot Wheels? How come they’re hard wired to make those “vroom” sounds from birth? Do you really need to know?

Humility. The more you learn, the more you realize there's still so much more to learn. This tends to make you humble. I thought I knew a lot about Hot Wheels, but they are not created equal, let me tell you. Just try, when you’re attempting to leave the doctor’s office for example, to get Jack to trade the cool Hot Wheels that belongs there for the one you brought from home…

Duality. Lao Tzu pointed out that all qualities in the world possess meaning only by the existence of their opposites. Something can only be big if there is something else that is small by comparison. Good exists in the world so long as evil exists as well. Jack playing happily with his Hot Wheels is good; Claire trying to steal his Hot Wheels, well, that’s just the natural balance of things…

(Elements of Taoism excerpted from "What Is Tao?" by Derek Lin)

(toy deer and photo courtesy of Deborah Smith Read)