Is religion a matter of following a path laid down by another, however
great?
To follow is merely to conform, to imitate, in the hope of receiving a
comforting reward;
and surely that is not religion.
The releasing of the individual from envy, greed and violence,
from the desire for success and power,
so that the mind is freed from self-contradictions, conflicts, frustrations
- is this not the way of religion?
(Krishnamurti)
Is tai chi religious?
Tai chi is not 'religious' in the
Western sense of the word.
It is a form of exercise intended to accord the practitioner with
tao.
Taoism is concerned with moving in harmony with existence and tai
chi is simply one way to accomplish this.
Religion in the Western world is about
god, faith and prayer.
These are not the focus of taoism and tai chi.
Eastern religion
Some Eastern religions involve chanting, incense, idol worship and prayer.
Tai chi and tao are unlike these.
Taoism is about seeing the oneness of all things and attuning yourself to
the underlying essence of life.
We are all part of reality.
Tai chi utilises intuition,
instinct and feeling to dissipate the conflictive barriers that we are
conditioned to create as we grow up in society.
A person claiming to be a 'taoist' is simply somebody that seeks harmony
with existence.
Christmas
Modern culture has little interest in existing religions or god.
Consumerism has become the new religion. People seek to fill the emptiness
of their lives with junk.
Christmas is immensely popular.
Yet, how many people are really celebrating the birth of Jesus?
If you were to celebrate his birth, you would do so by giving to the sick
and the needy.
If you are not a Christian, what exactly are you celebrating?
There is more to life than
shopping
There is more to
existence than the human mind can fathom. This is
not faith or belief. It is fact.
It seems improbable that you will come any closer to unlocking the mysteries
of the universe by filling your shopping bag and emptying your wallet.
Religious?
Tao, zen and tai chi are concerned with seeing reality as it is, rather than
being obsessed with our own selfish lives.
We learn to notice things, to care, to nurture good relationships with the
world around us.
A tai chi person realises that there is more to life than buying goods,
eating food and earning money.
Is this religious?
Or is it merely common sense?
Page created 3 July 2000