I'm chinese (a christian too who is admiring of his ancient chinese roots), but in some interpretations, the Tao can be "God", but in a transcendent and infinite manner.
@yinyangnature I see what you mean... I believe deep down God is an all-loving omnipotent God who has secrets and rewards that He wants to give to us in the after-life as well eternal happiness, bliss, and joy when we all follow Him and have faith in Him to the very end. But the fanatics and the negative stereotypes that modern media enforce God to look like as something cool to hate, mock, or rebel against, are to blame.
@JamesTheIdolSmasher It depends on one's concept of God my friend. If God is a personified creator of all things physical, this is not Tao. For Tao is the emptiness from which all things arise and ultimately return. If God is a cosmic judge or controller, this is not Tao. Tao is beyond all descriptions & is more akin to the space, of which most of the Universe is comprised. I don't doubt many Rabbis would conceive Tao. Please watch the YouTube video "Alan Watts - What is Tao"
@TaoFAQ that doesn't sound very appealing. 'emptyness' isn't something I would personally choose from an outsider perspectiver over 'glorious castle in the sky'. 'emptyness' sounds too much like atheism.
@SanguineBullet667 I think this has a lot to do with growing up to only appreciate 'on', 'action' and 'full'. We become so focused on these concepts, we have no appreciation or understanding of the opposite - believing them worthless or even threatening. Many people now practice meditation to give themselves a rest from always being 'on'. They find having a completely empty mind very beneficial. Many call this dying while still alive and so over come their fear of both emptiness and death.
@TaoFAQ I know that in taoism, tao is incomprehensible but is it equivalent to Yaweh to the jews and allah to muslim? or did tao create a God that created everything else similar to greek mythology of chaos and gaia.
@Jeromepsy001 Tao doesn't create or do anything. Tao is a void from which all things arise. I suggest any notions of reality arise from an overly active human mind, rather than emptiness. (Alias TaoFAQ)
@larbo1616 If I was to rewrite this piece I would describe Tao a little differently. Tao is more akin to the indescribable patterns we see in Nature, that the Ancient Chinese called "Li". Li has also been called "Organic Pattern", such as the patterns in jade, the grain in wood or the fibre in muscle. As part of Chaos Theory, science now calls these patterns "Fractals". Fractals is the order that comes out of Chaos to form the Universe in which we live. It is this intelligent order that is Tao.
@TaoFAQ Well yes, according to another Taoïst website it is the way the Tao's energy becomes manifest. So not only in forms of nature, but also the intelligent patterns within. It says that Tao itself, as the Tao Te Ching states, cannot be described.
@larbo1616 Of course, Tao is beyond any description. We can only ever talk of the manifestations. Nevertheless, people will always enquire and others will always attempt to describe. Hopefully one day we will all have enough understanding to end this futile enquiry.
@yinyangnature Indeed. As Zen buddhists describe, the emptiness cannot in no way be understood, because there will never be enough "capacity" to understand it because it is infinite and unlimited.
We have to stop searching, only then will we find.
P.S. If you don't mind, I PM you about the illuminati issue because it bothers me.
Taoist does have gods, but that gods are not the one,I mean, not the creater .I am Chinese so I know it. Old people still believe in Taoism(not as religion). In China, Taoim is a tradition rather than religion. And Chinese medicine is following Taoism. In China, people trust Chinese Medicine more, than the westen medicine what you take.
@MaxishZ There are two distinct forms of Taoism: Philosophical and Religious. The deities are only found in Religious Taoism. The foremost Western interpreter of Taoism, Alan Watts said, "They are similar only in name". Philosophical Taoism focuses on Nature through the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and is therefore free of alchemy, ritualistic magic and gods. In fact, the Ancient Chinese never developed a concept of God -instead seeing Nature as an organic unity without a cosmic boss.
@TaoFAQ I would respectfully disagree w. this assessment. Daoist Alchemy arose from the study of nature. Including medicine, art, poetry, etc. and Daoist traditions were practiced including the Daoist I Ching divination methods long before Lau Tzu. The traditions have ALWAYS been spiritual NOT religious but after Lau Tzu's Tao Te Ching, the state (China) declared Daoism to be a religion. The gods of ancient Daoism are Deities based on historical figures & were never confused w. Dao.
@vastawake I have no problem with your perspective. However, every description of anything cultural has many unspoken assumptions and biases, that usually remain unrealised. I was raised in a secular Christian culture, therefore accept my description of Taoist philosophy will differ from someone raised in Taoist culture. However, if Tao is not carefully explained, Westerners confuse the concepts with those of Christianity and erroneously conclude it is just another form of the same thing.
@TaoFAQ I appreciate your video & response as I do believe it is very important for especially Westerners who have been heavily influenced by the Abrahamic religions to realize that the concepts in Taoism are very different than Western religions. Your videos will help people to understand things like the concept of Yin & Yang are not Good & Evil which is a common misconception and that Tao is more Godlike than God is manlike - but the concept of Tao is definitely NOT what Westerners view as God
k i have a question, when you said that if something is difficult to obtain then it probably isn't necessary what do you think of developing ones talents and trying to reach one's full poteintal for reasons that are not to gain any social standing
@epic0wnag Good question. Firstly, it would be wrong to believe the Taoist Path has any definite methods or rules - that if followed would rid the world of all evil & create a paradise. For from rules & methods can only ever come fanaticism. If the Way had any rules, the first one would be "There are no rules." All we have for guidance on The Path is The 3 Jewels: Compassion, Moderation & Humility. In this spirit I would answer you, 'whatever you do, use The 3 Jewels as your guide'. Namaste.
@TheAbridgedGamer Following Tao doesn't require one to do anything. However, would you be prepared to eat meat if you had to do the slaughtering yourself? Have you ever inquired into the meat industry & seen it's practises? If you did I'm sure you would be shocked. I would advise you to watch 4 quality movies, all available on Youtube or Google Video. "Earthlings", "Food Inc", "Home" and "Fast Food Nation". Then you can make an informed choice if eating meat is good for you or our planet.
@HamonLord There are two distinct branches of Taoism, religious and philosophical. Philosophical Taoism dates back to 400 BC & is the type discussed here. Religious Taoism is more recent; has very little in common with Philosophical Taoism; and is rarely known or practised by Westerners. The ancient Taoists never developed a concept of a Biblical God in a Western sense of the word. If the word "God" is used at all in Eastern philosophy, it's usually a metaphor for Nature or a natural force.
@yinyangnature But the Tao is basically a chinese equivalent to the indian/vedic/hindu God or concept of Brahman. And if you read the Ahmaddiya Islam's website on Taoism, you'll see why in its core, that the Tao can be considered an entity/force that's likened to western monotheistic Gods like Yahweh and Allah.
@HamonLord The most common concept of God is a comic king and controller. This view is inconsistent with both Eastern Philosophy & science. The Ancient sages would have been more likely to see God as 'the fundamental ground of all being', of which we are all manifestations. In this description the greatest realisation one can attain is that separateness is an illusion. To put this in the terms of modern physics: if all things are vibrations of energy - God is that which is vibrating.
@yinyangnature Yeah, but God is also suppposed the one (and only, but with an assorted number of different names/identities/conceptions branching along with different views/perspectives/interpretations) absolute, eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, abstract, cosmic, divine, spiritual, esoteric, supernatural, magical, transcendent, immanent, etc. being that precedes, encompasses, overwhelms, rules, and surpasses all everything and are those things itself (divine simplicity)
@yinyangnature See Shang Di, the Tian, and the Dao to see what I mean and I believe that that's only an infinitely infinitestimal sub-atomic fraction of who and what we believe God is and how truly damn awesome He is, especially from an ancient Chinese perspective. Read the AL ISLAM website and look for taoism under Part II of Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge, & Truth.
@yinyangnature Or better yet, purchase the book "A Concealed God", by Stefan Einhorn, it's interesting stuff (though I only read several pages of it online.
But what about the Taoist Deities like the jade emperor, 3 pure ones, Guan Yu etc.. I'd be grateful if you could adress this aspect of taoism also please.
@KayNyne13 That is a very good question and something that confuses many. There are two distinct forms of Taoism: Philosophical and Religious. The deities etc are only found in Religious Taoism. The foremost Western interpreter of Taoism, Alan Watts said, "Religious Taoism and Philosophical Taoism are similar in name only". Philosophical Taoism focuses on Nature through the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and is therefore free of alchemy, ritualistic magic and gods etc.
@TaoFAQ The study of Chinese medicine (alchemy), Tai Chi (yin martial art), Shaolin & Wing Chun Kung Fu (yang martial arts) began from Taoist sages, recluses & hermetics, imitating nature. The practices of Taoism have been handed down usually in families or to adjuncts & were not written in books for 1000's of years. Because Lao Tzu wrote the 2nd and most well known Taoist text, he is mistakenly credited with being the founder of the philosophies and concepts. Not so. Still he is a great man.
@TaoFAQ Like your videos on Taoism!, i'm really interested in Taoism philosophy. But what is the Taoist view on death or if there is an afterlife in philosophical Taoism?
@whiteyy2991 I think these words from the Ancient Taoist sage Chuang Tzu, goes some way to answering your question. "How can we tell if the love of life is not a delusion? How can we tell whether a person who fears death is not like a person who has left home and dreads returning? If we regard the Universe and earth as a great melting pot, creation and transformation as a master smith, then where can we be sent and not find it fitting?"
I really like taoism :), though i was raised catholic so it would be hard to leave god. I will need to learn more about this and my own religion
PolishCutie93 5 days ago
Love the intro and closing song
drewnut 3 weeks ago
Thanks for these videos. Very well exposed, clear and pleasant to watch.
Beatstranger 1 month ago
I'm chinese (a christian too who is admiring of his ancient chinese roots), but in some interpretations, the Tao can be "God", but in a transcendent and infinite manner.
HamonLord 3 months ago
@HamonLord I agree. But when religious fanatics portray their God as a fascist dictator, any similarities cease.
yinyangnature 3 months ago
@yinyangnature I see what you mean... I believe deep down God is an all-loving omnipotent God who has secrets and rewards that He wants to give to us in the after-life as well eternal happiness, bliss, and joy when we all follow Him and have faith in Him to the very end. But the fanatics and the negative stereotypes that modern media enforce God to look like as something cool to hate, mock, or rebel against, are to blame.
HamonLord 3 months ago
@JamesTheIdolSmasher It depends on one's concept of God my friend. If God is a personified creator of all things physical, this is not Tao. For Tao is the emptiness from which all things arise and ultimately return. If God is a cosmic judge or controller, this is not Tao. Tao is beyond all descriptions & is more akin to the space, of which most of the Universe is comprised. I don't doubt many Rabbis would conceive Tao. Please watch the YouTube video "Alan Watts - What is Tao"
TaoFAQ 5 months ago
Comment removed
8matthewlee8 3 months ago
@TaoFAQ that doesn't sound very appealing. 'emptyness' isn't something I would personally choose from an outsider perspectiver over 'glorious castle in the sky'. 'emptyness' sounds too much like atheism.
SanguineBullet667 2 months ago
@SanguineBullet667 I think this has a lot to do with growing up to only appreciate 'on', 'action' and 'full'. We become so focused on these concepts, we have no appreciation or understanding of the opposite - believing them worthless or even threatening. Many people now practice meditation to give themselves a rest from always being 'on'. They find having a completely empty mind very beneficial. Many call this dying while still alive and so over come their fear of both emptiness and death.
yinyangnature 2 months ago
@TaoFAQ I know that in taoism, tao is incomprehensible but is it equivalent to Yaweh to the jews and allah to muslim? or did tao create a God that created everything else similar to greek mythology of chaos and gaia.
Jeromepsy001 2 months ago
@Jeromepsy001 Tao doesn't create or do anything. Tao is a void from which all things arise. I suggest any notions of reality arise from an overly active human mind, rather than emptiness. (Alias TaoFAQ)
yinyangnature 2 months ago
He said that Tao would be a force like gravity so does he mean that Tao is like Chi Energy ?
CrazyMeowCat101 6 months ago
@CrazyMeowCat101 I guess "Chi" would be an apt metaphor.
TaoFAQ 6 months ago
this rules!!! be like water my friend!!
77dragonslayer 6 months ago
ahhh i love Tao it's so peaceful.......your voice is so calming as well as the music :)
LoveTheVoiceWithin 7 months ago
Tao similar to forces like gravity? I would see the Tao as an impersonal entity. Something like Nirguna Brahman (the Impersonal Brahman) in HInduism.
larbo1616 7 months ago
@larbo1616 If I was to rewrite this piece I would describe Tao a little differently. Tao is more akin to the indescribable patterns we see in Nature, that the Ancient Chinese called "Li". Li has also been called "Organic Pattern", such as the patterns in jade, the grain in wood or the fibre in muscle. As part of Chaos Theory, science now calls these patterns "Fractals". Fractals is the order that comes out of Chaos to form the Universe in which we live. It is this intelligent order that is Tao.
TaoFAQ 7 months ago
@TaoFAQ Well yes, according to another Taoïst website it is the way the Tao's energy becomes manifest. So not only in forms of nature, but also the intelligent patterns within. It says that Tao itself, as the Tao Te Ching states, cannot be described.
larbo1616 7 months ago
@larbo1616 Of course, Tao is beyond any description. We can only ever talk of the manifestations. Nevertheless, people will always enquire and others will always attempt to describe. Hopefully one day we will all have enough understanding to end this futile enquiry.
yinyangnature 7 months ago
@yinyangnature Indeed. As Zen buddhists describe, the emptiness cannot in no way be understood, because there will never be enough "capacity" to understand it because it is infinite and unlimited.
We have to stop searching, only then will we find.
P.S. If you don't mind, I PM you about the illuminati issue because it bothers me.
larbo1616 6 months ago
I now see the connection with buddhism :D
ou812bass 9 months ago
Thank you very much. Alan Watts would have greatly approved and appreciated your efforts.
Dragon33304 9 months ago
@Dragon33304 Thank you! That's got to be the nicest compliment I have ever received.
TaoFAQ 9 months ago
Taoist does have gods, but that gods are not the one,I mean, not the creater .I am Chinese so I know it. Old people still believe in Taoism(not as religion). In China, Taoim is a tradition rather than religion. And Chinese medicine is following Taoism. In China, people trust Chinese Medicine more, than the westen medicine what you take.
MaxishZ 9 months ago
@MaxishZ There are two distinct forms of Taoism: Philosophical and Religious. The deities are only found in Religious Taoism. The foremost Western interpreter of Taoism, Alan Watts said, "They are similar only in name". Philosophical Taoism focuses on Nature through the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and is therefore free of alchemy, ritualistic magic and gods. In fact, the Ancient Chinese never developed a concept of God -instead seeing Nature as an organic unity without a cosmic boss.
TaoFAQ 9 months ago
@TaoFAQ I would respectfully disagree w. this assessment. Daoist Alchemy arose from the study of nature. Including medicine, art, poetry, etc. and Daoist traditions were practiced including the Daoist I Ching divination methods long before Lau Tzu. The traditions have ALWAYS been spiritual NOT religious but after Lau Tzu's Tao Te Ching, the state (China) declared Daoism to be a religion. The gods of ancient Daoism are Deities based on historical figures & were never confused w. Dao.
vastawake 7 months ago
@vastawake I have no problem with your perspective. However, every description of anything cultural has many unspoken assumptions and biases, that usually remain unrealised. I was raised in a secular Christian culture, therefore accept my description of Taoist philosophy will differ from someone raised in Taoist culture. However, if Tao is not carefully explained, Westerners confuse the concepts with those of Christianity and erroneously conclude it is just another form of the same thing.
TaoFAQ 7 months ago
@TaoFAQ I appreciate your video & response as I do believe it is very important for especially Westerners who have been heavily influenced by the Abrahamic religions to realize that the concepts in Taoism are very different than Western religions. Your videos will help people to understand things like the concept of Yin & Yang are not Good & Evil which is a common misconception and that Tao is more Godlike than God is manlike - but the concept of Tao is definitely NOT what Westerners view as God
vastawake 7 months ago
@TaoFAQ Thanks for informing people. Keep up the great work!
vastawake 7 months ago
k i have a question, when you said that if something is difficult to obtain then it probably isn't necessary what do you think of developing ones talents and trying to reach one's full poteintal for reasons that are not to gain any social standing
epic0wnag 10 months ago
@epic0wnag Good question. Firstly, it would be wrong to believe the Taoist Path has any definite methods or rules - that if followed would rid the world of all evil & create a paradise. For from rules & methods can only ever come fanaticism. If the Way had any rules, the first one would be "There are no rules." All we have for guidance on The Path is The 3 Jewels: Compassion, Moderation & Humility. In this spirit I would answer you, 'whatever you do, use The 3 Jewels as your guide'. Namaste.
TaoFAQ 10 months ago
A question, do you have to be vegetarian.
Just curious, cause so far, i like the idea of respecting all life, but hmm
I don't like going to veg, just a question, that's all.
Thanks for the video btw :)
TheAbridgedGamer 10 months ago
@TheAbridgedGamer Following Tao doesn't require one to do anything. However, would you be prepared to eat meat if you had to do the slaughtering yourself? Have you ever inquired into the meat industry & seen it's practises? If you did I'm sure you would be shocked. I would advise you to watch 4 quality movies, all available on Youtube or Google Video. "Earthlings", "Food Inc", "Home" and "Fast Food Nation". Then you can make an informed choice if eating meat is good for you or our planet.
TaoFAQ 10 months ago
Contrary to what most people think, Taoists (religious ones at least) believe in a supreme God/force, which is the Tao itself. *rolls eyes*
HamonLord 11 months ago
@HamonLord There are two distinct branches of Taoism, religious and philosophical. Philosophical Taoism dates back to 400 BC & is the type discussed here. Religious Taoism is more recent; has very little in common with Philosophical Taoism; and is rarely known or practised by Westerners. The ancient Taoists never developed a concept of a Biblical God in a Western sense of the word. If the word "God" is used at all in Eastern philosophy, it's usually a metaphor for Nature or a natural force.
yinyangnature 11 months ago
@yinyangnature But the Tao is basically a chinese equivalent to the indian/vedic/hindu God or concept of Brahman. And if you read the Ahmaddiya Islam's website on Taoism, you'll see why in its core, that the Tao can be considered an entity/force that's likened to western monotheistic Gods like Yahweh and Allah.
HamonLord 11 months ago
@HamonLord The most common concept of God is a comic king and controller. This view is inconsistent with both Eastern Philosophy & science. The Ancient sages would have been more likely to see God as 'the fundamental ground of all being', of which we are all manifestations. In this description the greatest realisation one can attain is that separateness is an illusion. To put this in the terms of modern physics: if all things are vibrations of energy - God is that which is vibrating.
yinyangnature 11 months ago
@yinyangnature Yeah, but God is also suppposed the one (and only, but with an assorted number of different names/identities/conceptions branching along with different views/perspectives/interpretations) absolute, eternal, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, abstract, cosmic, divine, spiritual, esoteric, supernatural, magical, transcendent, immanent, etc. being that precedes, encompasses, overwhelms, rules, and surpasses all everything and are those things itself (divine simplicity)
HamonLord 11 months ago
@yinyangnature See Shang Di, the Tian, and the Dao to see what I mean and I believe that that's only an infinitely infinitestimal sub-atomic fraction of who and what we believe God is and how truly damn awesome He is, especially from an ancient Chinese perspective. Read the AL ISLAM website and look for taoism under Part II of Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge, & Truth.
HamonLord 11 months ago
@yinyangnature Or better yet, purchase the book "A Concealed God", by Stefan Einhorn, it's interesting stuff (though I only read several pages of it online.
HamonLord 11 months ago
But what about the Taoist Deities like the jade emperor, 3 pure ones, Guan Yu etc.. I'd be grateful if you could adress this aspect of taoism also please.
KayNyne13 1 year ago
@KayNyne13 That is a very good question and something that confuses many. There are two distinct forms of Taoism: Philosophical and Religious. The deities etc are only found in Religious Taoism. The foremost Western interpreter of Taoism, Alan Watts said, "Religious Taoism and Philosophical Taoism are similar in name only". Philosophical Taoism focuses on Nature through the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, and is therefore free of alchemy, ritualistic magic and gods etc.
TaoFAQ 1 year ago 4
@TaoFAQ The study of Chinese medicine (alchemy), Tai Chi (yin martial art), Shaolin & Wing Chun Kung Fu (yang martial arts) began from Taoist sages, recluses & hermetics, imitating nature. The practices of Taoism have been handed down usually in families or to adjuncts & were not written in books for 1000's of years. Because Lao Tzu wrote the 2nd and most well known Taoist text, he is mistakenly credited with being the founder of the philosophies and concepts. Not so. Still he is a great man.
vastawake 7 months ago
@TaoFAQ Like your videos on Taoism!, i'm really interested in Taoism philosophy. But what is the Taoist view on death or if there is an afterlife in philosophical Taoism?
whiteyy2991 1 week ago
@whiteyy2991 I think these words from the Ancient Taoist sage Chuang Tzu, goes some way to answering your question. "How can we tell if the love of life is not a delusion? How can we tell whether a person who fears death is not like a person who has left home and dreads returning? If we regard the Universe and earth as a great melting pot, creation and transformation as a master smith, then where can we be sent and not find it fitting?"
yinyangnature 1 week ago
Taoism and Deism are they ways to go!
Leon612 1 year ago
GREAT VIDEO!
livealoha84 1 year ago
@livealoha84 Are u a Taoist?
InDaClub12 1 year ago
@InDaClub12 no, but i liked the video...why?
livealoha84 1 year ago
Thanks Bobba for this Upload.
aperezNWO 1 year ago
@aperezNWO Thank you!
TaoFAQ 1 year ago