A Free 81-Week Journey with Daoist Abbot Diego Sanmiquel
The Living Dao De Jing
81 Weeks of Ancient Wisdom for Everyday Life
Explore one verse each week. Discover what it means for your life.
One of the Most Influential
Spiritual Texts Ever Written
The Dao De Jing has been studied for centuries by philosophers, spiritual practitioners, leaders, healers, artists, and people searching for a more balanced way to live.
Yet the Dao De Jing is not a book that gives simple answers. Each verse can reveal something different depending on who is reading it, what they are experiencing, and where they are in their life.
Beginning August 6, join Daoist Abbot Diego Sanmiquel for a free weekly exploration of all 81 verses of the Dao De Jing. Each week, we will study one verse, examine different ways of understanding it, and explore how its wisdom can be applied to daily life.
Join the free community ➝
The Dao De Jing Is Not Meant To Be
Rushed
The Dao De Jing contains only 81 short verses, but each verse can take a lifetime to
understand. This is not a program where we will rush through the book or tell you what
every verse is supposed to mean.
We will slow down. We will spend one week with each verse. We will examine the language,
the ideas, and the different ways translators and practitioners have interpreted the
teachings. Most importantly, you will be encouraged to consider what each verse means in
your own life.
“There is no single way to read the Dao De Jing. Your understanding may change as you change.”
A verse that means one thing today may reveal something completely different years from now
This program gives you the time, guidance, and community to develop a personal relationship with the text.
What We Will Explore
During this 81-week journey, you will learn how the teachings of the Dao De Jing can help you reflect on the essential questions of a well-lived life.
The goal is not to memorize the verses. The goal is to learn how to sit with them, question them, and recognize how their wisdom may appear in your everyday life.
What Happens Each Week
Every week, we will meet for a live class of approximately one hour. You will also be part of the Embodih Skool community, where you can continue the conversation, share reflections, and connect with other students.
The classes will eventually be released publicly on YouTube. However, joining the live program gives you the opportunity to participate in the discussion, ask questions, and study the text as part of a community.
During each class, Diego will
01 Introduce one verse from the Dao De Jing
02 Teach from a primary translation
03 Compare other translations when helpful
04 Explore different interpretations of the verse
05 Share insights from approximately 30 years of studying and practicing Daoism
06 Discuss how the verse may apply to modern life
07 Invite questions and community discussion
08 Offer guidance for reflecting on the verse during the week
This Program Is for You If...
※ You are completely new to the Dao De Jing and want an accessible place to begin.
※ You already study Daoism and want to deepen your understanding of the text.
※ You practice Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, Chinese medicine, or another contemplative discipline.
※ You are a spiritual seeker interested in ancient wisdom.
※ You want practical teachings that can support your daily life, relationships, work, and personal development.
※ You have read the Dao De Jing before but found parts of it confusing, contradictory, or difficult to apply
※ You want to study with someone who understands that Daoism cannot be reduced to one rigid interpretation.
No previous experience with Daoism is required. You do not need to be a Daoist, a scholar, or an experienced practitioner.
You only need curiosity and a Willingness to explore.
Translation
A Different Way to Study the Dao De Jing
Many people search for the correct translation or the final explanation of the Dao De Jing. But no English translation can perfectly capture every meaning contained within the original Chinese language.
Different translations emphasize different ideas. Different teachers notice different layers. Different readers discover different lessons.
In this program, we will use one primary translation as our foundation while consulting other translations when they help us see the verse from another perspective. The purpose is not to decide which translation is always right — it is to understand how language, context, personal experience, and practice shape the way we encounter the teachings.
Diego brings approximately 30 years of experience studying Daoism, practicing its teachings, and observing how they can be understood in different ways. He will not tell you that there is only one correct interpretation. Instead, he will give you the context and guidance needed to develop your own informed understanding.
Daoist Abbot Diego Sanmiquel
Diego Sanmiquel is a Daoist priest, teacher, Doctor of Medical Qigong, Tai Chi instructor, and longtime student of Daoist philosophy and practice. For approximately 30 years, he has studied how Daoist teachings can be understood, practiced, and applied in the modern world.
His approach respects the traditional foundations of Daoism while recognizing that spiritual teachings must be personally examined and lived. Rather than presenting the Dao De Jing as a collection of fixed answers, Diego helps students explore its questions, contradictions, and practical wisdom.
His goal is not to tell you what to believe. His goal is to help you develop the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to discover what the text reveals to you.
Program Details
| Program | The Living Dao De Jing |
| Beginning | August 6, 2026 |
| Time | 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time |
| Schedule | One live class each week |
| Class Length | Approximately one hour |
| Duration | 81 weeks |
| Location | Embodih Skool Community |
| Cost | Free |
| Experience Required | None |
| Community Access | Included at no cost |
| Future Access | Classes will eventually be published on YouTube |
Join the Free Embodih Community
The Living Dao De Jing is offered through Embodih, a free online community for people drawn to meditation, spiritual practice, personal development, and embodied wisdom. When you step into Embodih, this is what awaits you:
The weekly live Dao De Jing classes
The Embodih Skool community
Class discussions and reflections
Opportunities to ask questions
Community
conversations
Additional free resources and member benefits
There is no cost to join the community and no cost to attend the program.
JOIN EMBODIH FOR FREEBegin Your Journey Through the 81 Verses
You do not need to understand the entire Dao De Jing before you begin. You do not need
to agree with every interpretation. You do not need to identify as a Daoist.
Come with your questions. Come with your experience.
Come with an open mind.
Each week, we will take one verse and explore what it may teach us about living with
greater balance, clarity, humility, and awareness.
Join us on August 6 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
Free weekly classes inside the Embodih Skool community.
THE LIVING DAO DE JING
81 WEEKS · ONE VERSE AT A TIME
Taught by Daoist Abbot Diego Sanmiquel · Offered through the Embodih community.
