How do you perceive Taoism?

[Gaston]

I'm talking about Lao Tse and Zhuangzi's works, not the latter Taoist/Folk Religion/Buddhist amalgams that developed later. I'm very caught up in what is now called "Ancient Taoism", which is based on the thoughts in the Tao Te Ching and other closely related writings of that time.

If you read the Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) carefully, it admonishes that one shouldn't read too much, but implies (to me) that you should somewhat feel your way along, and that's been my path. I haven't picked up the text in two years, although I think it's time I looked it over again with fresh eyes. I think it's very important to have several translation unless you understand the nuances of ancient Mandarin/Chinese, as the specific words used in translation color the text to the translator's bias.

Since a lot of the posts here are about Gaia-type beliefs, I have to ask this - if you consider "God" and the Universe to be the same thing, is Taoism a good fit with your beliefs? Do you feel that the belief that the physicists and Taoists agreeing that matter and energy are just different states of the same ... substance ... is at odds with Earth worship, or is the latter just a different focus on the same thing, more of a localized piece of the whole?

I'd be interested in discussion, if you're so inclined, I'm always eager to learn.

[wandering_okie]

To quote "The Dao",.. "anticipate the difficult by managing the easy"


translation by The Reverend (actually he is) wandering_okie:

I can promise you milk and cookies, but if the oven is broken...
I hope you like milk, I hope you really really like milk.

[Gaston]

Yes, but do you think Gaia-ism is just Taoism with a more narrow focus, or is it something else entirely?

It never ceases to amaze me that we still fight wars over religion, when the heart of most religions is much the same. Most of us still belief in the Almighty(s), whether they be the Universe, the Earth, or an Omnipotent "God". What we seem to come to blows over is not faith, but what humans have written about it (inspired or not, although I think all at least claim to be inspired).

[RikiMeditates]

... they wouldn't be perceptions of the true Tao.

[Gaston]

Ah, not your perception of the Great Tao, but your perception of Taoism. Is it witchcraft, voodoo, religion, philosophy, a life's path, or something else entirely?

[forrest]

I perceive it like all religions .....

All World's Religions from christianity, buddhism and almost all of them have ... here is a list of the one golden rule from these religions texts

http://sourceoforigin.com/blog/all-r...s-golden-rule/

[Gaston]

I perceive it like all religions .....

All World's Religions from christianity, buddhism and almost all of them have ... here is a list of the one golden rule from these religions texts

http://sourceoforigin.com/blog/all-r...s-golden-rule/

I think they need to do a bit more research into Jainism - those are quotes from Judaism and Christianity.

[RikiMeditates]

Ah, not your perception of the Great Tao, but your perception of Taoism. Is it witchcraft, voodoo, religion, philosophy, a life's path, or something else entirely?

The flexibility imparted by studying the 'Tao' has been of use to me many times over the years.

[Crochety Carpenter]

I had hoped to see more in this thread. Taoism is not something with which I've had alot of contact. My perception is that it deals with seeking ballance but with mystic overtones. As with most mysticism, secret knowledge is required. I like the old German proverb "Nothing to much" or "All things, in moderation".

[Gaston]

If you're interested, I'd read at least two translations of the Tao Te Ching; I'd recommend Red Pine's translation for those with some background in Buddhism, and Derek Lin for those with a Christian bent. They're both online, free. Then, read Zhuang Zhi (or Chuang-Tse, depends on whether the author prefers the Wade/Giles or Pinyin method of spelling). A warning - Zhuang Tse is hilarious, and loves to use the absurd to get his point across; you'll pick that up in the first chapter. Don't take it literally or you will think he's trying to make you belief in the ridiculous only to tease you for being gullible, later in the book.

I don't consider those two books to be religious, except to instill a both rational and spiritual idea that there is something out there greater than yourself, and what you can do to be in harmony with it. I don't think it would be at odds with any but the most strict and dogmatic of faiths. Now ... there have been many who have tried marrying Daoism with Buddhism, Chinese animism, and/or Islam - Derek Lin's "church" for want of a better term does that, although I still like his translation as long as it isn't the only one your read. If you look carefully the original writings, often called "Ancient Daoism" to distinguish them from the Daoist/something-else amalgams that have developed later in history, agrees with science without sacrificing spirituality in the process.