About Taosurfers
THE FAM
Taosurfers is a hub for the creative work of a family in Portland who loves to help people have positive experiences with major changes in life. Jeff has a doctorate in religion and philosophy from Oxford University, and has been a professor for two decades. You can find his personal page here. Stacie has a background in labor market research and nonprofit development. She is currently a certified yoga instructor and the chief administrator of this site. Sydnie is a floral designer with experience serving a variety of events and contexts.
Along with occasional help from their network of creative friends, they can help individuals and families with the following:
Officiating and providing flowers for weddings, memorial services, and non-sectarian child dedications. (Note: Stacie and Jeff are certified to perform weddings in Oregon and in most states. They work closely with clients to tailor their event for authenticity. They specialize in non-sectarian “spiritual but not religious” services, as well as creating ways to be sensitive to religious family members without working through churches.
Retreats and special events, especially workshops on yin yoga, facing death, grief work, and conversations about the Tao Te Ching for folks who might be leaving unhealthy religious communities.
Non-sectarian/secular “baptisms” or dedication services for families who want to have a spiritual but not religious and are not part of a church community.
You can also listen in on the families conversations about seeking full spectrum emancipation through their podcast: protectyournoggin.com.
THE GIST
Surfing the Tao (pronounced dow) is the way we describe a peace that comes through discerning reality with deep compassion for ourselves and others, releasing judgment and resentment, and promoting unconditional love. It is about making use of the flow of reality to enjoy a less frantic life. There is hardship in the world, to be sure. But sometimes, we unnecessarily turn the gift of existence into a hell of our own making. We want to work on undoing that tendency in our own lives, and perhaps demonstrate some inspiring possibilities for others.
SURFING THE TAO
Our name requires some explanation for most. “Surfing the Tao” is about living well, regardless of the challenges and forces we encounter. " Taosurfing is about “hanging loose” through an awareness that we can cherish and enjoy every moment and gift of life, yet without grasping on too tightly to the temporary things of this existence.
Since the Tao refers to the true way of things, “surfing” it involves coming to terms with reality as it is, not just to passively drift with the flow but rather to use the flow of things to create, play, love, and move to where we want to be without frantic effort or flailing about.