Taoism doesn't exist really. It isn't a religion.
It's not an institution. It's not even an ism.
You don't have to believe in anything or have blind faith.
(Barefoot Doctor)
What is taoism?
Taoism is the study into the nature of things.
It is an attempt to feel the how, the way of existence and
accord yourself with its character.
In any aspect of life there is an opportunity to flow easily with what is
happening.
The tao can be found in anything...
The tao of dogs.
The tao of business.
The tao of
sex.
If it is part of life, it has an essence, a way and we can learn from it.
Living
Taoism is concerned with the art of living.
Taoism is not a religion or a belief system. It is only interested in
observable reality. Not ideas and concepts.
Consider: if a person were to truly follow nature, they would need no form, no
tuition, no words and no doubts.
A cat is not anxious or troubled. Nor is a tree.
They simply exist and they
move in accordance with what they are. With their own natures.
We
(humans) do not.
What we refer to as taoism is simply the act of working with nature, rather
than against it.
Different methods
Tai chi exercise is just one method of
finding and feeling tao.
Many ways have been found that help people to
attune to the way of things.
Zen
poetry.
Japanese
tea ceremony.
Observing the 'natural world'.
The tao cannot be 'found' as such, as it is not lost.
It is us who are lost.
Studying tao is about developing your
awareness and sensitivity.
Practical taoism
Taoism is concerned with not only finding the way of things but in
capitalising upon what we learn from their
nature, their character.
Alan Watts described it as not simply
floating down the stream like a leaf but of sailing with the flow.
By balancing 'the three crucibles' - intelligence, emotion and instinct - a
person can move through life in a
calm, confident, positive manner.
Rather than feel like a victim of life or a passenger, a taoist feels
integrated within reality, a part of everything else.
As existence moves, you move.
As it flows, you flow sensitively with it.
Page created 4 December 1998