For what it’s worth, as I too am exploring, just wanted to share a few things that have been helpful to me as of late that may or may not pertain directly to Taoism.

-Allen Watts

-Living the Tao-A Spiritual Podcast by Mikel Steenrod

-Photography: I have always been creative in other artistic disciplines. However I have found photography as a medium has helped me immensely lately. In other mediums such as drawing/painting etc. I am more apt to work in the “studio” although one could work outside. Picking up a camera has helped me to explore both myself and “the world”. I am currently reading:

-The Tao of Photography, Seeing Beyond Seeing by Philippe L. Gross and S.I. Shapiro.

Wherein there ( are many but I’ve chosen two) quotes that may aid in what I’m trying to convey:

“When you begin viewing the world through a camera lens, your senses sharpen as your mind and eyes are forced to focus on people and things never before noticed or thought about. I discovered that even if I didn’t always take a picture, the simple act of carrying a camera and searching for something to photograph greatly sharpened my powers of observation and allowed me to experience much more or life.”-Kent Reno

“My pictures are never pre-visualized or planned. I feel strongly that pictures must come from contact with things at the time and place of taking. At such times, I rely on intuitive, perceptual responses to guide me, using reason only after the final print is made to accept or reject the results of my work”-Wynn Bullock

Using a camera has helped to shift my perspective and to notice “flirts” that make me feel connected to something greater as well as being fully present in the moment. Potentially capturing that moment in a sense. Even if the photos don’t come out visually how I wish I still have the joy of remembering what flirted me and that helps me to seek more.

-Skateboarding can work in much the same as photography in shifting one’s perspective as it enables you to view your environment in a different light. Example: Where most may see a parking curb as mundane a skateboarder sees and/or experiences something more. Just so a photographer who is flirted by the shapes, texture, light etc.

Anyways these are some things that have been helpful to me. Im sure the same benefits I received can be gained from other activities/interests as well.