From the MacBook of the Yogini
Bree’s Space
Taoism, a philosophy and way of life, originated in China, and is credited to a man named Lao Tzu, born in 640 BCE. The Tao Te Ching is the primary text of Taoism and consists of a variety of philosophy, mysticism, reflection and poetry. As many religions practiced today emphasize some type of unity, Taoism specifically concentrates on the connection between humanity and the universe.
The word Tao can literally be translated as the ‘path’ or the ‘way’; and can be categorized into three distinct interpretations.
The first interpretation is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao cannot be expressed, explained or conveyed in text or word. As the Tao Te Ching opens, “The Tao that can be spoken is not the true Tao.” The true Tao transcends the reality in which we live. It was not created and cannot be destroyed. This path is eternally existent and transcends all that is material.
The next is the way of the universe. This interpretation suggests the omnipresent aspect of the Tao. It is in all places and exists in all things. The energy or life force that connects and flows through the Universe is called the Tao. This ever-flowing energy is the underlying law of nature and creates order in the universe. This path encompasses and unites all that exists.
The way of human life is Tao’s third path. When one lives his or her life in synch with the universe, he/she is living Tao. We are all composed of yin and yang, the opposite energies that create and exist in all things. Body, mind and spirit all emerge from opposite positive and negative forces. If either yin or yang is more dominant than the other, we are living a life of imbalance. To live Tao, we must find balance between our opposite tendencies and “go with the flow” of life. This path seamlessly bonds the flow of one life with the flow of the universe.
The three paths of Taoism are like the Tao itself, inseparable. We cannot experience one without experiencing all three. And although students of the Tao can pretend to hold knowledge of the Truth, as the Tao Te Ching teases, “He who knows does not speak. And he who speaks does not know.”
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Various Meanings of Tao
