Chapter 40: Living by Returning and Yielding
“Returning is the motion of the Tao.
Yielding is the way of the Tao.
All things are born of being.
Being is born of non-being.”
— Tao Te Ching, Verse 40
Return to the Source, Yield to the Flow
This short verse contains some of the deepest wisdom in Taoist philosophy. It reveals a great paradox: the ultimate movement of life is not forward, but inward — a return to the Source. And the way to harmony is not through force or resistance, but through yielding.
Wayne Dyer interprets this as a call to live in rhythm with the Tao. Rather than pushing outward with ego, we are invited to return inward — to the silence, the stillness, the essence that birthed us. Yielding is not weakness; it is wise surrender. It is trusting the process of life so deeply that you can let go and allow.
Key Concepts:
The Tao moves quietly, inwardly, and powerfully — always returning to itself.
Returning = the natural rhythm of life (birth to death, inhale to exhale, action to stillness).
Yielding = the path to alignment; letting go of force, control, and resistance.
Being comes from non-being — form emerges from emptiness.
Actionable Steps: Living by Returning and Yielding
- Practice Non-Resistance
- The next time you feel frustration, pause. Ask: “Can I yield instead of push?”
- Let go of the need to control outcomes. Trust the unfolding.
- Return Daily to Stillness
- Begin each day by connecting to the inner void — through meditation, silence, or mindful breath.
- Make this returning to the Source a sacred ritual.
- Allow Rather than Force
- Notice when you’re pushing — in relationships, work, or self-development.
- Instead, soften. Ask: “What is trying to happen here?” and “How can I support it effortlessly?”
- Surrender the Illusion of “Doing It All”
- The Tao works through you, not by you. Step back. Let your actions be inspired, not anxious.
- Trust that what you truly need will return — in time and form.
- Embrace the Creative Power of Emptiness
- Just as a cup is useful because of its empty space, your inner stillness is your greatest creative resource.
- Spend time with the “non-being” to give birth to deeper “being.”
Affirmation for Chapter 40:
“I live in rhythm with the Tao.
I return to stillness and yield to flow.
In surrender, I am strong.
In emptiness, I am full.”