Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Intro to Philosophy
Lao-Tzu: Taoism
Porter Treanor
Have you ever heard of Taoism? If yes, then you might learn something new.
If you haven’t, then this should be interesting and might give you a different
perception on some aspects of life. Taoism caught my attention when I heard that
it was about living life to one’s true nature. Taoism, what does that mean? What
should I understand about it? I will be talking about some concepts of this
ancient china. Philosophical and political text proclaim that he wrote the “Daode
Jing” which is the text that people would refer to if learning about Taoism. I
society and large groups of people. I’m sure there were many things that
contributed to his writings of Taoism, but this concept might have an influence on
newly organized way of thinking and living is one of the 5 or so that are practiced
writings of Lao-tzu, advocating humility and religious piety.” This meaning is very
simple and I’m sure is a condensed one. Someone might think according to the
Webster meaning, that this is a religious philosophy. Well it could be, or it could
one could be more religious with Taoism. It is a kind-of religious philosophy, but it
could be less religious and more just a way of living, like being cultural.
could be a philosophy that many different people, yet similar people could have in
their lives. The idea of being a Taoist is to fulfill your one-self. Be what you are
meant to be. This is a large part of the ideas of Taoism. So I think that this part is
or can be the philosophy of people all around the world. I don’t think that it is or
could only be exclusive to one region of the world, ethnicity or culture of some
people.
and like I said before a way to fulfill your one-self. “The path of understanding
Taoism is simply accepting yourself.” This sentence from (Personal Tao) helps me
more deeply understand what it means to be Taoist. I know I am not Taoist myself
and am only doing an essay on it, but I feel I am starting to understand the surface
of this way of life. “Your nature is ever changing and is always the same.” This
makes me think of how you are always going to be that same person you were
when you were a kid when you had your special individual unique personality and
imagination. As you live life you grow and learn new things that change you in
ways that build you, but never truly change you. Those quotes about Taoism
caught my attention and helped influence my decision on writing about this topic.
Taoism is what you make it. Depending on what experiences you have gone
through and how you have lived your life before or while you have or are going to
withhold the ideals of this way of life. Taoism is many different things to many
distinction in applying labels to its own nature.” Taoism is a way of life that
teaches people to follow their hearts and to do what is natural for themselves.
indefinable. “The Tao” is something that one would find for oneself and accept. It
understood but it can be felt. It is like having a gut feeling about something you
cannot really understand but you can feel. Also it is something that existed
“before heaven and earth” “a primal and chaotic matrix from which all forms
experienced through everyday life. “The Tao”; I believe is a pillar for Taoism. To
continue with more, here are some concepts that I will be talking about within the
philosophy: the one (essence of the Tao) which is what was just talked about, Wu
Wei which is what I will be talking about next, than yin and yang, and finally
moderation. I hope these will help you understand more about Taoism.
alongside the natural course of things. Also not to obstruct and change the
natural course of things. So being that, Taoists live a very balanced life through
harmony alongside phenomena and nature. Living a way of life that comes
naturally to them. Like water would flow down a path naturally like a river does.
The “Wu Wei” I think is a very important concept for things to be right naturally
elements/beings (In some perception this represents balance). For example males
and females, cold vs. hot, light vs. dark, etc.… one not being able to exist without
the other. “The two opposites attract and complement each other.” in this
needing to be balanced. Yin is a female, dark, night, passive, old, water, cold. Yang
is male, masculine, light, fire, warm, young. Both are needed but moderation may
be necessary.
some people may work a lot more than they play and try not to bring laziness into
their lives. So those people who are attached to that one side of that polarity and
working all the time will bring the opposite polarity to their thoughts which will
end up making them want to play more than them wanting to work. So thereby
not achieving moderation. Excessive working will give perspective to playing but
will not give any purpose to working. “The Tao Te Ching (which is also the Daode
Jing) teaches that playing gives purpose to work, and work gives perspective to
playing.” You can be attached to one pole of any opposites. For example: life or
death, work or play, fitness or laziness, victory or losing. Being excessive in one
could be right, but you could only be right for yourself. “The Tao”; for me to what
I have learned about it so far, is that it is more of a mutuality between all living
things that is almost a thing like fate like you are going to do what you’re going to
do. That is it, “the Tao” can really be whatever you feel it could be. That is what is
special and unique about it. To me that just makes it seem more believable then a
god that is all mighty and powerful. Those concepts of Taoism are important to
have in your life. I believe that embracing these concepts could be a very good
thing for someone. I believe that life should be lived the way one would naturally
live (like Wu-Wei). Why? Because naturally I think people want to be happy and
beginning of becoming happy. Same thing with some of the other principles of
Taoism. I hope you were interested and I hope you have many questions and
thoughts. This was a fun topic to write about because Taoism is a different kind of
thing that can be personal and different to each person. So see if you can try and
incorporate some of these things into your life. Go do more research and find out
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/lao.html
http://www.taoism.net/articles/mason/principl.htm
http://www.patheos.com/Library/Taoism
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/beliefs/concepts.shtml
http://www.taoism.net/articles/mason/ethics.htm
http://www.ancient.eu/Yin_and_Yang/