Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy, designed to prolong life by avoiding trouble. Such a philosophy has an immediately attractive aspect to a diabetic, whose chief task in the management of his or her condition is self-preservation. The way of the Tao is the way of the 'Way': the nameless, formless, unquantifiable 'Way' powers, directs and supports the universe, balancing all things in harmony. Followed assiduously, the Way allows the follower to maintain, and contribute to, this balance, without disturbing the harmony it sponsors.

From the diabetic's perspective, the Way has another attractive feature. The follower of the Way uses the central guiding principle of wú wéi, or action through inaction ("letting things take their own course", according to my Chinese dictionary!), to overcome difficulties - much as water wears down rocks. By observation and careful attention, the follower is aware of the surrounding world, and acts in accordance with its prevailing conditions. For diabetes management, such an approach is almost ideal, although - as many have noted - it is hard to put into practice.

The ancient Taoists also noted the difficulty of putting the 'Way' into practice relative to the general lives of its potential practitioners, and noted also that, to be effectively used, the Way requires emotional detachment. Again, the ramifications for the management of the diabetic condition in particular are important here. Achieving emotional detachment from diabetes is almost impossible to the average Westerner, as constant testimonials of the difficulties inherent in doing so attest. In combination with the principle of wú wéi, however, much of the need for emotional involvement can be eliminated - if you're already managing your condition successfully, it's much easier to live with.

To the diabetic, this means acting in accordance with diabetes. All things will balance, depending on how the diabetic attends his or her condition, and interfering as little as possible is the way of attending it with wú wéi. Observation, receptiveness and objectivity will all assist the diabetic to do this, and all are, as the Taoists would have it, characteristics of the 'sage'.