The Daoist sage yearned for a life of spontaneity and freedom from humanity as a means of discovering Dao. Dao can most simply be defined as “the way” or the natural course that life takes, and following “the way” meant living a compassionate, modest life that follows a path set forth by nature. Becoming a Daoist involves pushing aside previous conventions of materialism and human interaction in order to achieve a purer state of being.
In order to be united with nature, Daoists had to “renounce all artificial ‘cunning contrivances’ that facilitate their work but lead to ‘cunning hearts’ and agitated souls in which the Dao will not dwell” (Seidel). It was believed that artificiality in life made for untruthful and sinister tendencies, which cannot coincide with the purity and righteousness of the Dao. By depriving the mind and body of man-made material possessions, the Daoist is instead forced to focus on leading a symbiotic life with nature.
Along with connecting one’s self to exterior nature, the Daoist thinker also “realizes his own nature, the nature of his emotions, and accordingly the proper way to relate himself to his own emotions” (Lenehan 343). To become one with the Dao and nature, they must become united with their own personal nature and emotions. By understanding one’s unique internal world and mind, the Daoist thinker can then discover their connection with and position in the world.