Can somebody explain Taoism?

Question

I was talking with my friend, who happens to be Druid, and he said that my beliefs match up almost perfectly with Taoism. Can somebody please explain this more to me? Or refer me to a RELIABLE website?

Answer 1

The wikipedia someone gave you should help.

But Taoism basically says that if you go with the flow, things will work out the same as if you didn't, and you won't be fighting and causing friction. We try and control everything, but it can't be so.

The Tao, which is loosely called "The Way" is just the way the universe works, no arguing. And the Universe will go it's way no matter how much we fight, so we might as well go with it.

If you read the Tao Te Ching, it tells you how to go with the flow. It tells you to be like water, which shapes to the vessel it is in. It says all these things in a very poetic and beautiful way.

It talks about how opposites define each other. Darkness would have no meaning without the existance of light, and vice versa.

If you want to talk more about it, feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Here's how someone explained it to me:

Grab yourself a copy of the Oxford Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged version.

Read the first definition. What it describes is not Tao.

Read the second definition. What it describes is not Tao.

Continue through the entire twenty volumes of the dictionary in the same manner. As you read each definition, understand that what you're reading does not describe Tao. Even the entry for "Tao" does not describe Tao.

After you've finished reading every single definition, you should have a complete understanding of what is NOT Tao. Take a look at the one thing that the dictionary did not describe. That's Tao.

Tao has also been described as "that which is", but that's not a complete definition. Tao is also "that which isn't", because the existence of a thing implies the concept of "not that thing".

I know that's a convoluted explanation, but it's the best I can do. Lao Tzu explained it better in the "Tao Te Ching". Really, if you want to understand Taoism, it's best to just read the Tao Te Ching. It's something that can be learned, but not taught. The link below directs to a recent English translation.

Chapter 1 Verse 1:
"The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

The unnamable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin
of all particular things."

Chapter 1 verse 25:
"There was something formless and perfect
before the universe was born.
It is serene. Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite. Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
These are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself."

Answer 3

Taoism Explained

Answer 4

History of Taoism:
Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. It is basically indefinable. It has to be experienced. It "refers to a power which envelops, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e. there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female.)" 2

The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. (Alternative spellings: Lao Tze, Lao Tsu, Lao Tzu, Laozi, Laotze, etc.). He was searching for a way that would avoid the constant feudal warfare and other conflicts that disrupted society during his lifetime. The result was his book: Tao-te-Ching (a.k.a. Daodejing). Others believe that he is a mythical character.

Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion. At that time Lao-Tse became popularly venerated as a deity. Taoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became one of the three great religions of China. With the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty in 1911, state support for Taoism ended. Much of the Taoist heritage was destroyed during the next period of warlordism. After the Communist victory in 1949, religious freedom was severely restricted. "The new government put monks to manual labor, confiscated temples, and plundered treasures. Several million monks were reduced to fewer than 50,000" by 1960. 3 During the cultural revolution in China from 1966 to 1976, much of the remaining Taoist heritage was destroyed. Some religious tolerance has been restored under Deng Xiao-ping from 1982 to the present time.

Taoism currently has about 20 million followers, and is primarily centered in Taiwan. About 30,000 Taoists live in North America; 1,720 in Canada (1991 census). Taoism has had a significant impact on North American culture in areas of "acupuncture, herbalism, holistic medicine, meditation and martial arts..." 3

Answer 5

Be forewarned. I know quite a few practicing Taoists, and there is one common theme. Anyone who claims to be able to define Taoism is has no clue about it. It cannot be explained, only known. Researching it can only begin your journey toward understanding; it cannot be your guide. Find a Taoist and watch him or her. Listen to their words, and you will see I know what I'm talking about.

Answer 6

http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html

This is not the best version of the Tao I have seen, but Taoism is a philosophy that seeks balance in all things. Not only in your mind and body but also in your surroundings. You have head of Taoist philosophy and probably didn’t know it. 'The journey of 1000 miles starts with but a single step'...
Taoism is rooted in nature, but it is not a nature religion. For me the Tao made me realize that all things have a positive side and a negative side. Notice that I did not say good and evil. Balancing these two forces is the foundation of the Tao. The Tao is a journey of enlightenment that you must make, you can seek guidance but in the end you have to make the realizations to understand...

Here is my favorite quote...

If you want to become whole,
let yourself be partial.
If you want to become straight,
let yourself be crooked.
If you want to become full,
let yourself be empty.
If you want to be reborn,
let yourself die.
If you want to be given everything,
give everything up.

The Master, by residing in the Tao,
sets an example for all beings.
Because he doesn't display himself,
people can see his light.
Because he has nothing to prove,
people can trust his words.
Because he doesn't know who he is,
people recognize themselves in him.
Because he has no goad in mind,
everything he does succeeds.

When the ancient Masters said,
"If you want to be given everything,
give everything up,"
they weren't using empty phrases.
Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.

Answer 7

Zen Buddhism is very minimalist in its approach. Pure Land Buddhism is one of the more orthodox schools. They use a lot of rituals, a lot of imagery. Zen Buddhists tend to center on meditation. Their main idea is that words tend to distort things. The fewer the better.

Answer 8

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism

Answer 9

This is the best site with unbiased info about all religions:
http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm

Answer 10

Taoisim has a symbol of yin and yang, good and evil - thats all i know