The Best Definition of the Tao
An Introduction to The Tuesday “This is Tao, That Was Zen” Newsletter...a source for spiritual idea
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If you walk through any urban downtown district in America or Canada today you will see an endless supply of nail salons, Chinese Restaurants, and Bubble Tea shops that integrate the word Tao in their names. Yet if you asked them what Tao is, or means they wouldn’t have a clue.
Tao is one of the most important concepts for someone exploring the spiritual life.
In traditional Chinese philosophy, and in the Mystic Taoism Community, Tao is the absolute principle underlying the universe. It is not easy to describe as God or some Western idea of the L)ord. What can be said of Tao is that it…
combines within itself the principles conttaction and expansion and (yin and yang)
signifies the way, “Path” , or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order.
The nature of Tao It is best described in two books, The Tao te Ching, and the Chuag Tzu. (I have published a translation of the Tao te Ching. You can find the link to the book at the end of this article),
The most common questions asked about the Tao and Taoism are:
What is the Tao te Ching?
Does Taoism believe in god?
What is Taoism known for?
Is Taoism a religion or philosophy?
Is Taoism Japanese or Chinese?
I will explore the answers to these question in this newsletter (not necessarily in the order they were asked).
The Tao te Ching
The Tao te Ching (Dàodé Jīng) is a Chinese classic text written around 400 BC and traditionally credited to the sage Lao Tzu (Laozi). The text's authorship, date of composition, and date of compilation are debated, and yet the power and importance of the teachings and wisdom found within the book cannot be overestimated.
The Tao Te Ching, along with the Chuang Tzu (Zhuangzi), are fundamental texts for both philosophical, religious, Essential, and Mystic Taoism.
The Tao te Ching also strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Chinese Buddhism, which was largely interpreted through the use of Taoist words and concepts when it was originally introduced to China.
Why is the Tao te Ching Important?
Many artists, including poets, painters, calligraphers, and gardeners, have used the Tao Te Ching as a source of inspiration.
The essence of what the Tao te Ching has to offer us is an approach to being effective in attaining goals by aligning oneself to principles based on natural law. Principles based on an ethic that is universal and timeless.
The Tai te Ching defines physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual effectiveness as the balance of obtaining desirable results based on need rather than want. Lao Tzu illustrates this in a poetic style offering tidbits of transformative wisdom.
Many self-help, spiritual, personal development, and self-improvement books focus on a personality ethic; what do I want, when do I want it, and how can I obtain it? The Tao te Ching subtly promotes what he labels the character ethic: aligning personal and group values based on the so-called universal and timeless principles.
The Essential and Mystic Taoist distinguishes rigid principles and rules of morality from eternal values. They recognize principles as external laws imposed by leaders and the groups that follow them. Values, on the other hand, remain internal subjective, yet over time they become less subjective. Our values govern our behavior, while principles ultimately determine the consequences. The Essential and Mystic Taoists seek to develop habits, manifesting as a progression from dependence through independence on to interdependence.
Here is the link to my translation of the Tao te Ching. It was created out of a a Meta-analysis of over twenty other translation and from my experience as a teacher of Mystic Taoism.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tao-Ching-Meta-Analysis-Tzus-Classic/dp/1530288096
If you enjoyed this newsletter you might also enjoy this one on Lao Tzu…
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Author: Hey there. My name is Lewis Harrison, and I created this newsletter. I am a teacher and guide for those seeking information on Mystic Taoism. I am also a transformational coach and a “simple living prepper. I am a proponent of entrepreneurism and also a writer and seminar leader. The author of over twenty books, and numerous self-improvement, business success, and personal development courses, I am the former host of a talk show on NPR Affiliated WIOX91.3 FM.
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Here is the link to my translation of the Tao te Ching. It was created out of a a Meta-analysis of over twenty other translation and from my experience as a teacher of Mystic Taoism.
https://www.amazon.ca/Tao-Ching-Meta-Analysis-Tzus-Classic/dp/1530288096
We also have a free Mystic Taoism Group on Facebook. Please join us… https://www.facebook.com/groups/1007277182635973