Cohort 1, Session 2 · An in-depth analysis of Dao, methods, techniques, and tools

Dao, Method, Technique, and Tool constitute a complete system of cognition and practice

Key insights

Dao, Method, Technique, and Tool constitute a complete system of cognition and practice.Dao is direction, method is methodology, technique is a playbook, and tool is an instrument. The progression from tool to Dao is a step-by-step process. Most people remain at the tool level (as human tools), while experts who have grasped the Dao can put human tools to work for themselves.

1.1 Four-Layer Dao–Method–Technique–Tool Model

Pyramid structure

• The Way
• Direction, principles, essence, rules, trends
• (Internal inquiry; realized for oneself; invisible to others)
• Laws
• Methods, approaches, forms, steps
• (Can be learned and taught)
• Methods
• Playbooks, models, patterns
• (Can be trained and replicated)
• Tools
• Tools, the body, money, computers, skills
• (Visible and tangible)

Detailed explanation of the levels

1.2 The Level of Dao

What is Dao?

Definition: Dao is direction, patterns, essence, rules, and trends

Characteristics of Dao：

• Sought within: You must grasp it yourself; others cannot teach it to you
• Invisible: Cannot be observed directly
• Decisive: Determines the choice of methods and techniques
• The highest level: Acts as the referee, deciding who wins and loses

The key to cultivating Dao

Look at three things：

1. Look at policy → In China, policy reigns supreme
2. Look at the rules → Understand the rules before entering the game
3. Look at trends → Understand patterns and essence

Examples：

"They've been saying 'housing is for living in, not for speculation' for years, yet a whole bunch of people still jumped in. Now they're telling you to enter the stock market, and again you won't listen."

The Way and the Referee

The Core Metaphor：

"Methods are the coach, techniques are the athlete, and the Way is the referee. The referee decides who wins, so whether it is black or white, I use whichever benefits me."

1.3 The Level of Methods

What Are Methods?

Definition: Methods are approaches, ways of doing things, forms, and steps

Characteristics of Methods：

• Learnable: Can be mastered through study
• Teachable: Can be taught to others
• Systematic: Form a complete set of steps
• Instrumental: Serve as a means of achieving goals

Applications of Methods

Within the Establishment：

提升法 → 成为副总监/总监/总裁 → 向下兼容

Outside the Establishment：

学习法 → 掌握方法 → 教给工具人 → 规模化

Methods and the Coach

The Core Metaphor：

"Is someone who is strong in methods and techniques a coach? Is someone who flexibly applies the coach’s methods an athlete?"

1.4 The Level of Techniques

What Are Techniques?

Definition: Techniques are routines, models, and patterns

Characteristics of Techniques：

• Replicable: Can be standardized
• Trainable: Can be mastered through practice
• Routine-Based: Follow fixed patterns
• Practical: Solve problems directly

The Illusiveness of Techniques

Common Misconceptions：

"Techniques are a bit confusing right now—playbooks, models, and patterns."

Core questions：

• Learning only techniques, without understanding principles or the Way
• When techniques grow old and outdated, things become painful
• Without guidance from the Way, techniques are lifeless

Using Techniques Correctly

Combine them with principles：

理解法 → 掌握术 → 灵活运用 → 达成目标

Combine them with the Way：

悟道 → 选择法 → 训练术 → 实现道

1.5 The Level of Tools

What are tools?

Definition: Tools are all external aids, such as tools, the body, money, computers, and skills

The Scope of Tools：

The Essence of Tools

Key insights：

"Everything in the world is at my disposal. I may not own anything, but everything is at my disposal."

Tools and Containers：

"You can think of it as a container. This container holds the things above it (the Way, principles, and techniques)."

Refining Tools

Jade must be carved to become a useful object：

器（原材料）
  ↓ 雕琢（学习法、术）
器（精致成品）
  ↓ 运用（悟道）
随心所欲

Key Condition：

"Can your human nature, your human attributes, or your very essence be refined and changed in the first place? If you're as stubborn as a block of wood, can you be saved? No."

1.6 The Integrated Application of the Way, Principles, Techniques, and Tools

Personal Growth Path

阶段1：掌握器（工具人）
    ↓
阶段2：学习术（技术员）
    ↓
阶段3：理解法（管理者）
    ↓
阶段4：悟道（创业者/老板）

Advancing to Each Level：

“Can each step up you take remain backward-compatible?”

Startup Applications

Step 1: Sell for someone else (become the top salesperson)

目标：积累法和术
方式：代理别人的产品
结果：攒钱、攒客户、攒经验

Step 2: Build your own momentum

目标：创自己的道
方式：像选举一样造势
结果：有人投资、有资源

Step 3: Use tools and people

目标：规模化
方式：把法和术教给工具人
结果：大量复制、做大做强

Step 4: Do as you please

目标：修真我
方式：随心所欲，不拘形式
结果：真正自由

Using tools and people

The logic of industrialization：

“That’s division of labor. The core secret behind industrialization crushing agriculture is the division of labor across industries.”

Assembly-line model：

工具人1 + 工具人2 + 工具人3 + ... = 机器人（组织）
    ↓         ↓         ↓              ↓
  环节A     环节B     环节C          完整链条

Key：

“Can tools and people be assembled into a robot, so you can start replicating it at scale?”

1.7 Borrowing Resources and Momentum

Borrow experience

Definition: Borrow other people’s resources, methods, and models

Method：

1. Borrow momentum: Leverage trends and policies
2. Borrow methods: Learn from other people’s methods
3. Borrow techniques: Imitate other people’s playbooks
4. Borrow tools: Use other people’s tools

Core：

“Learning is a form of borrowing. Learning is imitation; it’s drawing on others’ experience.”

Helping others succeed is helping yourself succeed

Logic：

你能量不够 → 借势成就别人 → 别人成功 → 你也成功
    ↓              ↓              ↓          ↓
 钱少           提供服务        他得利      你得利

Key：

“How can helping others succeed not help you succeed? Of course it does.”

Key quotes

• “Dao is direction, fa is method, shu is technique, and qi is tool.”
• “Every level you move up costs money.”
• “Can tools and people be assembled into a robot, so you can start replicating it at scale?”
• “Learning is a form of borrowing. Learning is imitation; it’s drawing on others’ experience.”
• “Jade must be carved to become a vessel.”
• “Everything in the world is there for me to use.”

Practical application

Self-checklist

• ☐ What level am I at now? (tool/technique/method/direction)
• ☐ How can I move up to the next level?
• ☐ Can I adapt downward and use people as tools?
• ☐ What leverage should I use?
• ☐ What is my path? (direction, patterns, essence)

Action advice

1. Sell others first: Don’t start by selling yourself
2. Build up your methods: Accumulate enough methods and techniques before starting a business
3. Learn to leverage opportunities: Use other people’s resources to achieve your goals
4. Find your path and set your direction: Clarify your direction
5. Use people as tools: Replicate at scale

*"The Way, methods, techniques, and tools build on one another, ultimately enabling you to do as you please and cultivate your true self."*