The Three Approaches to Taoism: There ’ s Something for Everyone

The Three Approaches to Taoism: There’s Something for Everyone "Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.“ ~Lao Tzu ~

Lao Tzu: “The Old Master” • Born in 604 B.C. • Tao Te Ching • “Tao”= • The way of ultimate reality • The way of the universe • The way of human life

I. Philosophical Taoism “Efficient Power” Goal=Maximize Energy

Defining Characteristics • “Wu Wei”=Creative quietude • Rejection of competition • Polarity of life (Yin/Yang)

Nature is NOT to be conquered…

Photographer Ansel Adams

Ansel Adams: Taoist? “No matter how sophisticated you may be, a large granite mountain cannot be denied -- it speaks in silence to the very core of your being. There are some that care not to listen but the disciples are drawn to the high altars with magnetic certainty, knowing that a great Presence hovers over the ranges. You felt all this the very first day, for you were within the portals of the temple.”

Ansel Adams: Taoist? “Well, I think Ansel had a message in his art that was consistent throughout his career. And this is that the world is beautiful, that humanity is part of this larger world. That the concerns of the moment are part but not separate from a larger system of forces that connect us to all of creation…he wanted people to understand the deeper time of creation, the great forces of nature and of creation that go on despite the permutations of today. And he thought that this was the fundamental message that people needed to understand, that the world exists within this larger world.” ~Jonathan Spaulding, Biographer~

II. Nameless Taoism “Augmented Power” Goal=Increasing Energy

Defining Characteristics • Dislodging blocks to our energy flow (qi) • Medicinal herbs, t’ai chi, feng shui, and acupuncture

What is “qi”? • Defined as “air, gas, breath, or life-force” • “If the true qi is harmonious, how can illness arise?...True qi will come if you remain calm and imperturbable. Develop your inner spirit and you will have well-being.” ~From the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huang Di Nei Jing) 2nd Century B.C.~ • “Human life arises from the coming together of qi; if it comes together there is life, and if it goes asunder, there is death.” ~Zhuang Zi (Chuang Tzu)~

Mind-Body Connection "The pure man of old slept without dreams and woke without anxiety. He ate without indulging in sweet tastes and breathed deep breaths. The pure man draws breaths from the depths of his heels, the multitude only from their throats.“ ~Chuang Tzu~ “Stiff and unbending is the principle of death.Gentle and yielding is the principle of life. Thus an Army without flexibility never wins a battle.A tree that is unbending is easily broken. The hard and strong will fall.The soft and weak will overcome.” ~Tao Te Ching Verse 76~

“Good Feng Shui”: Construction of Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank & Hong Kong Disneyland

“Bad Feng Shui”: Bank of China in Hong Kong

III. Religious Taoism “Vicarious Power” Goal=Harnessing Energy from Higher Powers

Defining Characteristics • Belief in magic • Use of rituals • Deities • Priests

Regardless of approach, these are the MAIN CONCEPTS of Taoism… • Duality and Harmony of Yin/Yang • Concept of Qi • Reverence for Nature • Be like water and “go with the flow”

Making Connections:“The Vinegar Tasters” • How does Taoism compare to Confucianism and Buddhism? • Notable similarities? • Notable differences?

The Three Approaches to Taoism: There ’ s Something for Everyone