WHAT IS DE?

Virtue Power

"De" (德) can be translated as "Virtue" or "Power".  That is why our School is called "Dao De" (道德) - it is a school dedicated to teaching and embodying by example, a life of Virtue according to Dao. Dao could be said to be a way of life, a way of looking at the world in order to create a harmonious life.

Virtue describes the more passive aspects of the Taoist Way because it implies a certain way of being and conduct. Power is the more active aspect and the word "Power" should not be associated with negative connotations because Power is simply the drive, the raw energy and will that empowers one to carry out their actions in the world. This power should be used in a virtuous and harmonious way.

How does one create a more positive and empowered life and how does this relate to health? We do this by developing our internal state and Nurturing our Health through practices such as Qigong and Tai chi. A healthy person full energy is a happy person. A happy person helps themselves and others by spreading their positive state.

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"Knowing others is intelligence;
Knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power."

By Lao Zi - Dao De Jing  (道德經) (The Book on the Way and its Power)