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Ever stumbled upon a book that changed your life? For Misha Tadd, a U.S. sinologist and philosophy professor at Nankai University, that book was the Tao Te Ching—discovered during a high school library trip. His story, featured in CGTN’s East Encounters West series, reveals how ancient Chinese philosophy can spark modern global dialogues.
When Teenage Curiosity Meets Taoism
At 14, Tadd found a visually striking copy of the Tao Te Ching while researching a school project. The blend of poetic paradoxes and nature-centric wisdom resonated with his upbringing in rural Massachusetts. \"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao,\" he recalls—a line that hooked him on Taoism’s mind-bending simplicity.
Why Taoism Matters Today
Tadd worries that digital-age distractions make such serendipitous discoveries rare. Yet he’s determined to keep Taoism alive through the Global Laozegetics Research Center, fostering collaborations between scholars and creatives. \"It’s about shaking up conventional thinking,\" he says, highlighting Taoism’s playful wordplay and timeless relevance.
A Classic for the Modern World
With over 2,052 translations in 97 languages, the Tao Te Ching isn’t just old—it’s eternally fresh. Tadd credits its straightforward language and universal themes, which inspired figures like Leo Tolstoy. His mission? To bridge cultures by showing how Taoist ideas like harmony and balance can address today’s global challenges.
Stay tuned for Part 2, where Tadd dives into Taoism’s role in international relations and cross-cultural exchanges!
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His story, featured in CGTN’s East Encounters West series, reveals how ancient Chinese philosophy can spark modern global dialogues.
\"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao,\" he recalls—a line that hooked him on Taoism’s mind-bending simplicity.
\"It’s about shaking up conventional thinking,\" he says, highlighting Taoism’s playful wordplay and timeless relevance.
His mission? To bridge cultures by showing how Taoist ideas like harmony and balance can address today’s global challenges.
