The ancient paths to freedom—Stoicism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity—have remained compelling because they provide a complete way of life consisting of a coherent set of principles, recognized practices, a developmental path, and an ideal human type. Stoicism has its virtues and disciplines, Taoism its principles of the Tao and cultivation of Wu-wei, Buddhism its Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, and Christianity its teachings of Christ and spiritual growth.
Many modern…