We Don’t Heal in Isolation
Finding strength in numbers within a community
Finding strength in numbers within a community
Isolation isn’t a part of human nature.
One of the core teachings of Taoism is that everything is interconnected and interdependent simultaneously. It sounds contradictory, and it’s supposed to.
For a dramatic example, can you wiggle your finger on just one hand? Of course! You can wiggle your toes, fingers, and more, yet those parts can’t survive without connecting to the rest of your body. If I cut off my thumb, it will surely die soon after.
Much like your fingers, people need the connectedness of other people. Whether those people are standing in front of them or sitting in a computer chair thousands of miles away, we need to feel like we belong. Humans are, by our nature, communal animals.
Think about how prisons use solitary confinement as punishment. It wouldn’t be a punishment if the human mind were naturally conditioned to spend days and weeks without human contact. All of us recently know this to be true. The global pandemic of COVID-19 proved what loneliness can do to our psyche. Weeks of living in an apartment or house, having food delivered, and being unable to leave your property caused a surge in mental health diagnoses worldwide.
Perhaps that’s why, after gathering authors, writers, philosophers, and thinkers for the last few months, I’m still pushing forward with this publication, The Taoist Online. I’ve written about TTO several times, and looking back on the first newsletter, it’s obvious how far we’ve come.
As I stated then, I started this publication to help spread what I’ve learned about Taoism, myself, and what others have learned about their own journey to enrich people’s lives. So far, we’ve been doing a great job, but there’s so much more we can accomplish together!
That’s why I want to keep giving to all of you. I have an excellent team of part-time volunteers who are incredibly dedicated and skilled. I want to provide them the opportunity to help create the best possible community so we can heal, learn, and understand each other. So, how can we give back to you, our adoring writers, readers, and community?
FREE GIFTS!
FREE Artwork!
First, Nanie Hurley 🌿 and I created free artwork for you! This is a collection of desktop and mobile device wallpapers and original concept art, which you can access below!
Free Art for TTO Members — Google Drive
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The concept art was created over eight months ago when I was still creating the design language and style for TTO.
FREE — Digital Philosophy Calendar 2024! Paid Wall Calendar Available!
Nanie has also been working hard over the last few weeks to bring you our first yearly calendar in US and EU styles! The only difference is which day your week starts (Sunday for the US and Monday for the EU). Download them for free!
Tranquility Calendar [European].pdf
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Tranquility Calendar [American].pdf
Edit descriptiondrive.google.com
Purchase a physical copy of our Philosophy Wall Calendar 2024 and receive great extra-benefits (more on that at the bottom of the page)!
FREE — Taoism Class And Podcast
Did you know TTO hosts a Taoism Class/Podcast every Sunday on YouTube? We do, and we are just getting started. If you want to learn more about Taoism, Tao, or your spiritual side, join Patrick Stewart on our YouTube channel below, live every Sunday at 10 AM central time.
The Taoist Online
TTO is a publication on Medium.com. We gather and publish the best writers from all around the world in religion…www.youtube.com
We need your help and we love giving back!
We want TTO to be THE place to ask about life’s questions, find answers to the mysteries, and share what you’ve learned along your journey.
To be that place, the volunteers and I are putting in our time, effort, and financial resources to make The Taoist Online the best organization, publication, and community it can be.
We LOVE our community members, writers, and readers. We provide everything you need to be a community member and enjoy our content for free.
However, if you can help cover some of the organization’s costs, such as tipping the writers, merch costs, and website hosting, we have several gifts for you in return!
Make A Donation and Receive Gifts!
If you make a one-time donation on Ko-Fi, subscribe to our Discord community for $2.99/month, or puchase any merch (including our brand new calendar), you’ll receive…
Premium Art Bundle! A special selection of desktop and mobile wallpapers made just for supporters!
Access to the VIP Lounge! A special Discord channel with the Editors, Owners, & volunteers!
Access to Exclusive and pre-launch merch! Request new merch!
Special one-on-one session with an editor! Need advice? Want help editing? Want to good chance of receiving a Medium-boost? Ask away!
Request guided meditation sessions. Start your day off with peace and harmony!
All the TTO volunteers believe our community can be an exciting place for discussions, helping each other, and progressing through this crazy adventure called life together. And if you choose to give back, we will gladly continue to create new methods to give more gifts to you.
We love all of you and hope to see you soon on our Discord, social media channels, and here on Medium!
