I've been doing a crap ton of research on BBC and other news sites about some more general parts of Taoism. Over the next few days I will make a quick post addressing Taoist approach to more social and cultural aspects of life, among them practice, theory, personal and community ethics, women, politics, human nature, and anarchism.
For today, here are a few basic points on how to "practice" Taoism. It is, as I've already said, important to note that Taoists have no church or community. It is an individual and communal way of life all at once, but it is mostly about the way one perceives the world. Taoism recommends the same sort of moral behavior that most other religions express, disapproving of killing, stealing, lying, etc and promoting helpful and kindly behavior. By practicing good behavior, one is practicing Taoism. It is an essential part of not only self-improvement, but it is also an essential part of improving the world as a whole. To reference the Tao Te Ching (54): "Cultivate the Tao within oneself; and one's virtue will be perfected. Cultivate it within the household, and one's virtue will be abundant. Cultivate it within the neighborhood, and one's virtue will be enduring. Cultivate it within the nation, and one's virtue will be overflowing. Cultivate it within the entire world, and one's virtue will be universal."
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I found this website with a table that pretty accurately describes some of the main differences between Eastern and Western thinking. Although the information in the table is sort of bias, it gives a pretty good idea of what distinctions can be made. The way I like to think of it as is the East is the monk in the forest or the thru hiker on the PCT, and the West is the American family in the suburbs or the businessman in New York, or something. Neither are good nor bad- just different. However, when you can put yourself in the "Eastern mindset," you can more easily understand Taoism.
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/cultures_east-west-phylosophy.html "Broadly, speaking, Western society strives to find and prove "the truth", while Eastern society accepts the truth as given and is more interested in finding the balance. Westerners put more stock in individual rights; Easterners in social responsibly." [I was going to copy and paste the table in here, but the format got all funky. I have the link as a reference, though. EAST = INTRINSIC , WEST = EXTRINSIC] ![]() Today in Psych class, we were talking about motivation and its place in what some psychologists call the "Human Condition." Before Abraham Maslow (1908-1970), psychologists were concerned with was why things went WRONG in the human brain and to human behavior. Maslow, however, desired to figure out how and why things went right. Upon this, he created a little pyramid which is now called "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." It looks like this: Essentially what it means is that you must meet basic needs before you can meet the other psychological and cognitive needs on the chart. You may move up the chart once you've "completed" (so to speak) one level, and you can swivel back and forth at any given moment in time. Transcendence is what I'd like to talk about though. Essentially, when you've reached transcendence and self actualization, you are at your "maximized potential," or so to whatever you see fit as that definition. Happiness. It's when you are living an authentic life and a life for you. He characterizes these people as problem-solving oriented (for self and others), able to accept the good and bad within themselves and others, able to laugh, autonomous, and valuing privacy. Sounds a lot like Taoism, right? Another thing Maslow emphasized was spirituality. Not in a religious way, but rather knowing where your place in the universe. That also sounds a lot like Taoism. And I think that's such an important point that I'd like to make in the end- know your place in the universe. Whether that be through religion, through traditions, through passions, through X, Y, or Z. It is indeed possible to reach self-actualization and to live a thriving life. I hope one day I am able to say, hey man, I am "self-actualized" and it feels great. Or whatever it is you're supposed to say you're not seventeen anymore and are actually able to claim that sort of thing. The great thing about Taoism is it relates to everything and everybody, and you can make cool connections like this one. http://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/tgl/tgl008.htm
Wu Wei: A First Examination I found a really in depth analysis of the concept of Wu Wei, so I will utilize a few days to try and pick it apart and decipher what it means. Wu Wei is a concept in Taoism that essentially means “not doing.” While attempting to explain what this means, we must remember (reference chapter one of the Tao Te Ching) that the literal meaning is not the true meaning. Some people think that people that maintain Wu Wei are those that spend all of their time in serenity and meditation- one that is not driven by any force. However, Wu Wei is much more than that. Wu Wei is doing and not doing all at once (reference Dynamic Balance). Here are some quotes that might help explain: “"The principle of wu wei, non-action, is also Confucian. Confucius says that Shun ruled the empire by non-action.” AKA his people obeyed him for admiration of his virtue. “It will happen, it does happen” “I do nothing, but the thing is done.” The two basic polarities of life not only balance each other, but they complement each other in cycles. Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff described the principle of Cyclical Growth like this: “The sun is replaced by the moon, the moon is replaced by the sun. Summer is replaced by winter, then winter replaced by summer. Everywhere in nature we find these basic cycles. Some more examples of the balancing cycles of nature are yielding/overcoming, fighting/withdrawing, giving/taking.” These aspects of life which seem to be opposite actually balance each other and work through cycles. One produces the other.
![]() Okay, so the four main principles of Taoism. They’re all separate, but they’re all linked as one. Thus, “the Way” is formed. I will first talk about principle number 1: the Principle of Oneness. AKA body + mind + nature = one. Taoism is a nature based philosophy, which means that it begins and ends with the observation of nature. This is subjective, of course, and both the observer and the observed make up the entire system. There is no us versus nature; instead there is simply everything at once. Every being is an expression of nature as well as an expression of Tao, which is sort of nature but sort of not. It is important to distinguish the idea of Tao from the notion of a godhead that western religion possesses. Tao is not God, it’s just this sort of soul-like thing that is nature and self and everything- it’s a philosophy. In Taoism, an overseer doesn't really make sense. Tao is within all of us. And it especially important to remind ourselves of this, because as the Principle of Oneness expresses, everything is in relation to everything else. Everything comes to existence perfect and free, and we take on a physical body and allow circumstances to complete us. Oneness is essential to Taoism, and if it doesn’t make much sense, here is a simple explanation: be friends with nature! Cause you are nature, and nature loves you! https://mytao.wordpress.com/2007/05/30/the-principles-of-taoism/ January 7, 2015
http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/principles/whatyinyang.html Yin Yang Yin Yang is essentially the “Game of Black and White.” Most people know what Yin Yang is, of course, but it’s really important in Taoism. It’s not quite as simple as good and bad, but rather it is outward verses inward, energy verses stillness. Both are necessary, although one side of the coin may not always be optimal (this can be either Yin or Yang). In the symbol, the Yin and Yang are sort of infused together so as to point out that you can’t have any one thing without the other. To have light, you must have darkness. To have stillness, you must have motion. To feel happiness, you must also know what it is like to feel sadness. It reminds us that everything is in relation to everything else, so as to make life poignant. On a personal level, I find this very comforting. Life is this sort of game where neither Yin nor Yang wins, and they’re just in this sort of forever-play. Hence the “Game.” - No single being or form can exist unless it is seen in relation to its surrounding environment. “By simplifying these relationships, [Taoists] tried to explain complicated phenomena in the universe.” -Yin Yang Theory = a logic… views things in relation to its whole Based on Yin and Yang which are neither materials nor energy Used as a method for explaining relationships between objects… gradually developed into a system of thought. -Came from observation of nature and the environment Yin = shadier side, Yang = sunny side Pairs have complementary and opposing characteristics… sky and earth, day and night, water and fire, active and passive, sun and moon, male and female… etc -Nearly all things can have yin yang properties Yang = fundamental aspects...more energetic qualities (moving, expanding, active, etc) Yin = physical form... less energetic qualities (stillness, cold, dark, etc) http://taoistsanctuary.org/ageless-wisdom-for-a-modern-world/
“What is Tao?” AND Taoism in a modern sense This site was based on Philosophical Taoism which is really pretty awesome because I haven’t found anything like that on the Internet yet. There is a pretty big difference between Religious Tao and Philosophical Taoism. Philosophical Taoism is simply a framework. Basically, there is a Tao Te Ching, but it’s not meant to be followed directly. That is the huge difference between Western religions verses Taoism. Taoism is just a vague structure sort of thing. No memberships, no requirements, no formal community, no set principles. It’s nothing like the branded religions of the West whether it be Christianity, Islam or even Buddhism and Hinduism. It just… is. After some pandering around on the website I found an article that ended with “Philosophical Taoists typically believe that the universe is (or tries to be) in perfect harmony and that recognizing this fact and living in alignment with it leads to their own happiness.” So that is that. It’s pretty cool. Here is some stuff I wrote down and want to remember: - “This is about being a Philosophical Taoist, not a Religious Taoist, a positive alternative to Western and Middle Eastern religions.” - "People often ask how you become a Taoist, what books do you read, what temples do you attend? You don't become a Taoist, you just realize that Taoist is a name for what you already are." ---Lao Fzu - What does 'Tao Te Ching' mean? "Tao (or Dao)" has two definitions that apply. It is generally translated as "way", or "path". It is also what we call the "impossible to name" power that makes the universe work. "Te (or De)" is translated as "virtue" or "strength", meaning human goodness as well as the inherent power in things. "Ching" generally translated as "book" or "classic". "The Book of the Tao and the Virtue" -Clarification of Confucianism vs. Buddhism “Confucians constantly try to realign the world of man with the ways of Heaven through strict adherence to rules and carefully planned ceremonies. Buddhists seem to focus on the bitterness of life and attempting to transcend it, with a similar set of rules and more ceremonies.” |