Over the past year I have been following a lot of Eastern philosophy. Like all philosophy I find a bit of truth, and I thought I like Buddhism, but it is so mired in myth that is distracts from the message. Taoism, though it does have some organized following, seems to propose the crazy idea that all is subjective. What's even better is that it is a philosophical standpoint, and not a religion.
For so long I have been agnostic, and the Tao does not change this, but it is nice to belong to a following even if it is quite a small niche in my country. I have read a lot of the Tao Te Ching and decided to buy a hard copy to carry around with me. I do feel enlightened, but enlightenment is not what I expected of it. The closer I have come to feeling this way the more I realize it is not to be disconnected and 'above' the world, but deeply rooted in it - accepting of human nature and the natural order of things. Relishing in both chaos and order.
My favorite chapter from the Tao Te Ching:
Tao Te Ching - Lao Tzu - chapter 80
A small country has fewer people.
Though there are machines that can work ten to a hundred times faster
than man, they are not needed.
The people take death seriously and do not travel far.
Though they have boats and carriages, no on uses them.
Though they have armor and weapons, no one displays them.
Men return to the knotting of rope in place of writing.
Their food is plain and good, their clothes fine but simple,
their homes secure;
They are happy in their ways.
Though they live within sight of their neighbors,
And crowing cocks and barking dogs are heard across the way,
Yet they leave each other in peace while they grow old and die.
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[–] ding0bait 1 point 4 points 5 points (+5|-1) ago
I'm a zennie myself. I don't find Vajrayana Buddhism to my liking. But Buddhism is like water and the transmission the cup. This is why Taoism and Confucianism fit well within chan/zen.
Even Zen, in the Eastern cup, it a bit much for me. I much prefer my own cup-- a mix of apatheism, agnosticism, skepticism and mysticism. It's my belief if god(s) exist they are subject to the dharma or tao; that we can only save ourselves; no amount of petitioning can change us, only we can; we're self contained vessels capable of our own salvation (in as much as 'salvation' exists).
For me, Tao and Zen are largely interchangeable. I can read the Tao Te Ching or the writings of the Bodhisattva. Both contain truths. Both are marvelous works.
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 4 points 5 points (+5|-1) ago
I could not agree more, well said.
[–] Verum 1 point 4 points 5 points (+5|-1) ago (edited ago)
This verse is one of my favourites, I always found myself constantly striving and consequently always felt that I was less than until I attained what it was I was striving for. A never-ending goose chase. Reading and absorbing this particular verse just allowed me to be content as I was in the present moment, perfectly complete.
Though some mistake Wu Wei for inactivity and laziness as I originally did it is more like vanishing completely into a deed, which I would describe as being similar to what some call entering "the zone", like what creatives or athletes experience when their minds stop actively trying to "do" the task at hand rather become the task.
I love falling asleep to the audiobook online and I recommend this version narrated by Stephen Mitchell for anyone curious to dip their toes into Taoism.
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 3 points 4 points (+4|-1) ago
Very nice. I find I have always practiced Wu Wei when I cook, especially in the restaurant. No drama, no ego, just cooking. A true do-nothing action.
[–] Verum 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
I agree, I consider cooking therapeutic and an artform, nothing else matters and you can vanish into the cooking. 😊
[–] ninjajunkie 1 point 4 points 5 points (+5|-1) ago
Good on you. Finding anything that can help you as a person will lead to a more satisfied and fulfilled life. Best wishes on your journey.
[–] MrPim 1 point 3 points 4 points (+4|-1) ago
I'm a philosophical Taoist. Completely agnostic. But the inner peace meditative philosophy of the Tao I find helpful.
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 5 points 6 points (+6|-1) ago
inner peace is nice, but I sought understanding more than anything else. I don't want peace the way Buddhist represent it - to eschew all other things in life (like sex, rich food, human connections, etc). I want to be a part of this world and understand why people do the things they do, and why things simply are. I feel I am closer to that.
I personally don't believe anyone should make their whole identity about religion or philosophy any more than their life should be reduced to any one thing (like being a parent, or spouse). Taoism is simply the icing on my life's cake.
[–] MrPim 1 point 3 points 4 points (+4|-1) ago
I never said I eschew anything. In fact the very opposite. The Tao can give peace in the tumult of life. The Tao is the way of all things sacred and profane. And embracing it all is a part of living. The Tao can give one a center and a focus of the mind in the midst of turmoil.
And I certainly do not make it the center of my life. It's a point of view, a mind set. But a mind set which can give clear thinking about situations which can be overwhelming.
To me it's a meditative approach to living. One which can give peace and understanding. A clarity and focus. The ability to allow the world and it's people to be as they are. Indeed to allow oneself to be as I am. And where to go from here w/o being caught up in the world even though I engage all of it.
[–] [deleted] 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
[–] Arotaes_Forgehammer 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
I was going to say "Namaste, bitch" but then I remembered that Taoism ain't Buddhism.
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 9 points 10 points (+10|-1) ago
....actually it's Hindu.
[–] Arotaes_Forgehammer 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
Damn, I've been bamboozled again!
[–] [deleted] 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
[–] NotToBeContrarian 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
Check out "The Tao of Pooh".
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point 2 points 3 points (+3|-1) ago
I felt the pull for a while, but took some time to jump into it. I'm very against organized religion, but you don't need to join a temple or anything silly. Here are a few great introduction videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFb7Hxva5rg - Lao Tzu - the "founder" of Taoism
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvZi7ZV-SWI - Wu Wei, an important part of the philosopy
Start with those to get a general understanding, and I recommend the Tao Te Ching. You can find it for free online, and there is even an app for your phone.
[–] 4829250? 1 point 1 point 2 points (+2|-1) ago
I certainly find some beauty in the Tao. I'm glad you're happy.
[–] smokratez 1 point 0 points 1 point (+1|-1) ago
Wake up call whities. You will all get raped and slaughtered if you don't find some balls.
[–] middle_path [S] 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
Taoism does not mean you refuse to defend one's self.
[–] smokratez 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
It does mean you hate white people if you are white.