Yin Yang

Because Taoism (pronounced dowism) has such a light, airy and free flowing nature, at first, you might feel this more like a philosophy than a religion. But when you read some of their sacred texts you will feel the Taoist desire for oneness with the spirit. The Taoist knows that the spirit is beyond the mind’s comprehension.

The creation of Taoism is credited to a Chinese man nick named Lao Tzu who was born about 604 BC. I say nick named because Lao Tzu is not a proper name but a term of endearment; it means “Grand Old Master”. Reported to be a man with a depth of understanding that defied ready comprehension (he and Confucius may actually have met and spoken) with age he desired to leave civilization to live in solitude to garner greater wisdom and spiritual awareness. As he rode off to the high mountains atop the back of a water buffalo he was asked to record his wisdom for posterity. He then disappeared from the pages of history, if he ever existed at all, but the small extraordinary book attributed to him became the foundation for Taoism.

By 440 BC Taoism was a full blown religion and Lao Tzu was elevated to deity status. Taoist influence on Chinese history and art is boundless. But by the early twentieth century the Chinese government withdrew support for this religion. Today barely twenty million practice Taoism, mostly in Taiwan. Only about 30,000 people subscribe to this faith in North America.

Tao literally means path or way. The Tao is basically indefinable; it must be experienced. The Tao is the power which surrounds and envelops all things living and non living. The Taoist bible called the Tao Te Ching is comprised of a series of verses that describe how to engage the Tao to let the spirit flow through the individual. It is very basic and very profound in its elegant simplicity. The Tao exists in three states: the Tao which is the ultimate reality that cannot be perceived or conceived, the Tao which is the natural order of the universe, and the Tao that pertains to human existence.

The Tao itself culminates through a power called Te. The nature of this power can be approached from a philosophic perspective, a religious perspective or as an energy that can be applied to human beings through such physical practices as yoga and Tai Chi. As with Hinduism and Buddhism this eastern tradition also lacks a concrete godhead.

The Taoist seeks answers to life’s problems through inner meditation and outer observation. They do not pray to a deity. A Taoist believes that development of the three virtues (compassion, moderation and humility) is one’s chief task. A Taoist believes that people are compassionate by nature. When left to their own devices they will show this compassion without expecting rewards.

Although the writings of Lao Tzu are the foundation of this faith he did not actually organize this religion. About 200 years later a man named Chuang Tzu is credited with popularizing philosophical Taoism. The writings of Chuang Tzu supplement the original works of Lao Tzu.

The bible of Taoism has only eighty-one verses. For your enlightenment, here I present five verses from the Tao Te Ching:

Verse Ten

Nurture the darkness of your soul until you become whole. Can you do this and not fail? Can you focus your life-breath until you become supple as a newborn child? While you cleanse your inner vision will you be found without fault? Can you love people and lead them without forcing your will on them? When Heaven gives and takes away can you be content with the outcome? When you understand all things can you step back from your own understanding? Giving birth and nourishing, making without possessing, expecting nothing in return. To grow, yet not to control: This is the mysterious virtue.

Verse Thirty-three

Those who know others are intelligent; those who know themselves are truly wise. Those who master others are strong; those who master themselves have true power. Those who know they have enough are truly wealthy. Those who persist will reach their goal. Those who keep their course have a strong will. Those who embrace death will not perish, but have life everlasting.

Verse Forty-four

Which is more important, your honor or your life? Which is more valuable, your possessions or your person? Which is more destructive, success or failure? Because of this, great love extracts a great cost and true wealth requires greater loss. Knowing when you have enough avoids dishonor, and knowing when to stop will keep you from danger and bring you a long, happy life.

Verse Sixty-one

A large country should take the low place like a great watershed, which from its low position assumes the female role. The female overcomes the male by the power of her position. Her tranquility gives rise to her humility. If a large country takes the low position, it will be able to influence smaller countries. If smaller countries take the lower position, then they can allow themselves to be influenced. So both seek to take the lower position in order to influence the other, or be influenced. Large countries should desire to protect and help the people, and small countries should desire to serve others. Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility.

Verse Sixty-seven

The world talks about honoring the Tao, but you can't tell it from their actions. Because it is thought of as great, the world makes light of it. It seems too easy for anyone to use. There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility. With compassion, you will be able to be brave, With moderation, you will be able to give to others, With humility, you will be able to become a great leader. To abandon compassion while seeking to be brave, or abandoning moderation while being benevolent, or abandoning humility while seeking to lead will only lead to greater trouble. The compassionate warrior will be the winner, and if compassion is your defense you will be secure. Compassion is the protector of Heavens salvation.