There are times when I want to add a more taoist slant to what I have to say on the forums, this I usually temper because it may offend some people or because, as a moderator here, it may look like I am taking advantage of that position. Hence my decision to utilise my blog space here on AC.
Obviously, some people may not have a clue what Taoism is, so I guess I should start with explaining the tao.
Taoism (or Daoism) is neither a faith nor a religion, it is a philosophy for dealing with life. It has no gods or demons, nor does it threaten wayward travellers on the tao with anything more than "I told you so".
The word 'tao' means 'path or way', that is all it means, although there is a distinction between 'Tao' (Great unknowable path) and 'tao' (Lesser knowable path). How simple is that?
OK, so you've looked up the Tao on Wiki or done a Google, and you're thinking "Well, looks like a bunch of folk worshipping to me".
Because the Tao is a simple philosophy it is also open to being added to any religion or faith without bringing that faith into conflict with itself. Notice I wrote 'any', a lot of the public taoism you will see is bolted on to Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, Zen, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam (Sufi) and so on and so forth. It also raises its head in atheism and western sciences, so this simple philosophy is more akin to a symbiotic virus
As I pointed out in a thread, the tao is just a path from A to B, the vehicle you choose to travel that path in is up to you. Some, like me, prefer to walk.
Some of you might like to read up on the tenets of Taoism, these can be found in the 'Tao De Jing' by Lao Tzu, and the 'Daozang'. For the modern reader you might enjoy 'The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity' by Daniel Reid.
Although you may read that there are assorted principles of Taoism, they are not the Tao, they are based upon the teachings of Lao Tzu and his interpretation of the tao.
The purpose of the blog in not to expound the virtues of taoism, but to use it to explain the ideas rolling around in my head, or indeed, to answer any questions you may have.
The author is not seeking converts, students, or believers, and accepts no responsibility for someone else's stupidity as he has enough trouble accepting his own stupidity.
