Taoism

The Way of Nature –Taoism; a way of studying and systematizing human life as well as natural life –Nature observations and emulation are foremost

Ancient Traditions roots Ancestor Worship –Divination I Ching (Book of Changes) –Supreme Deity Shang-ti Holy Mother in Heaven (guardian of the seas)

Various Elements –Eternal life-force ch’I –selfgenerating, par with a x’n soul –Yin and Yang yin = female, dark, receptive yang = male, bright, assertive –wisdom is in recognizing their ever shifting, always in balance cycle. The follower will flow with these cycles. »The cycle is called the TAO (the way)

The Tao Te Ching most translated after the Bible and the Karma Sutras –Oral Tradition –Very Ancient –Written by Lao Tzu see page 167, text

The Point of Taoism To study the order and system of natural life so that one can order ones own life to move with the flow. The path will necessarily weave as the cosmos around you changing read 52, 53, 54 from Tao Te Ching –Requires great mental and physical discipline

Life in Harmony Experience the transcendent unity in all things, not separation reconcile opposites on a higher level of consciousness –Everything has it’s place and function in life no good or bad, small or large, disfigured or beautiful

Life in Harmony continued –Experience the universe that is directly cooperating with the ways things are, not making judgements, setting standards of morality, not labeling –Story of Farmer and Horse –Three in the Morning (text)

A Low Profile –A Taoist has a low profile in the world like a valley, allowing things to flow into life, like a stream Not working for recognition, doing it because it is their function to do it nourishes the “ten thousand things” of material life No possession of accomplishments, works effortlessly

The Way of Water –Flowing Water Water doesn’t fruitlessly attack –effortlessly flows around and over, gently removing obstacles

Wu Wei doing nothing –nothing contrary to nature –not expending unnecessary energy non-interference –nothing is evil, things are just out of balance »Civilization with rigid views on morality, and intellectual attempt to improve what is generates chaos

Ch’I-kung Very similar to Hindu meditation practice –Ching - generative force –Ch’I - vitality –shen - spirit management of ones “life-force” is VERY important 171, text

Mystical Practices I Ching Life is chaotic, sometimes answers don’t come –the brick wall scenario with meditation, washing, ask your question –a direct line to the spirit world –T’ai-chi chuan see page 173, text

Gods and Priests Some Taoists have priests, deities, etc. –Eight Immortals humans who gained immortality with their own magic powers –Hsien numerous gods ancestral spirits magic making ritual priests