Wikipedia on Tao:

While the character itself translates as ‘way’, ‘path’, or ‘route’, or sometimes more loosely as ‘doctrine’ or ‘principle’, it is used philosophically to signify the fundamental or true nature of the world.In Taoism, Tao both precedes and encompasses the universe. As with other nondualistic philosophies, all the observable objects in the world [...] are considered to be manifestations of Tao, and can only operate within the boundaries of Tao. Tao is, by contrast, often referred to as ‘the nameless’, because neither it nor its principles can ever be adequately expressed in words. It is conceived, for example, with neither shape nor form, as simultaneously perfectly still and constantly moving, as both larger than the largest thing and smaller than the smallest, because the words that describe shape, movement, size, or other qualities always create dichotomies, and Tao is always a unity.

One of my favorite books is The Tao of Physics – it discusses how Eastern mysticism and quantum physics share basic tenets that are fundamental to life, the universe, and everything. Like how we exist amidst the dualities of order and chaos, and somehow attain balance. How we change, and are changed by, our universe through actions and reactions. And how we are all made from, and connected by, forces we can’t currently perceive.

This isn’t a post about metaphysics or physics, though. This is about “The Art Of…”- a series of posts I’m starting that happen to involve the same basic tenets as Tao & physics. But as addressed through Art.

Wikipedia on Art:

Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression, including music, literature, film, sculpture, and paintings.

“The Art Of…” will discuss how people “deliberately [arrange] elements”  to achieve something inspirational, aesthetically appealing, thought-provoking, and/or controversial. It can emerge through chaos or order. It can result from individual work, artwork, or actions/reactions. It can be through psychological or sociological forces…or even through forces we don’t quite understand.

If you have any suggestions for an “art” that should be explored, please comment and let me know. My first post will be on “The Art of Politics,” inspired by community conversations, and my experiences working as Community Liaison in former Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan‘s office and now as Social Media Strategist and Asian American & Young Professionals outreach coordinator for Gene Locke (currently running for Mayor of Houston).

And yes, politics can be an art. It’s improvisation plus performance plus theater plus choreography plus reality tv. Well, maybe reality tv isn’t an art. But you get the idea.