What are the Basic Taoist Beliefs? - Bobba

Transcript, References & Disclaimer below:

Transcript:
Tao. (Usually pronounced "Dow" as in "Dow Jones".)
Tao is often translated into English as "Path" or "Way". Essentially it is the organic pattern of harmony seen throughout Nature. We realise Tao [1] by aligning with our own true nature. Life becomes effortless when we align with Tao.

Te. (Usually pronounced "Deh".)
Often translated as virtue - as in "The healing virtues of a plant". Te [2] is the gentle unassuming intelligence of Nature. It is also the virtue obtained by living in harmony with Nature.

The Three Jewels.
The first jewel is Compassion [3]. This is the ability to see things from the perspective of all other life forms, both human and non-human.

The second is Moderation [4]. This jewel is the avoidance of any form of extremism, whether it be views or actions. An approach somewhere between all opposing extremes should always be favoured.

The final jewel is Humility [5]. This is the understanding that self-importance is not the way of Tao. This quality is fostered by allowing oneself to be open to all views and possibilities.

Wu Wei.
Often misinterpreted as laziness, Wu Wei [6] is the understanding that flexibility and suppleness are more effective than strength and rigidity. It should seem obvious that the more one acts in harmony with Nature, the more one achieves and with less effort.

An example of Wu Wei is rowing in the direction of the current; or more skillfully still, putting up a sail and tacking into the wind.

P'u.
Meaning "The Uncarved Block" [7], such as wood in its natural state before it is shaped. This means being guided by what one intuitively feels rather than accepting the social conditioning of political, religious, gender, racial, and patriotic dogma.

Detachment.
Letting go of the need for tightly controlled or precisely defined outcomes. Allowing each moment to pass without regret, opinion or judgement.

Too often we miss opportunities and experiences simply because we limit ourselves to preconceived notions of how things should be. Detachment [8] is allowing things and events to be as they are without the need for commentary or analysis; that can only lead to regret or despair.

Yin-Yang [9].
This symbolises inherent balance and unity. Yang is the sunny side of a mountain and Yin is the side in shadow. Therefore it is not possible to experience Yang without also experiencing Yin. In the same way, it is not possible to experience winning without also experiencing losing; good without evil; health without illness; life without death.

Oneness [10].
An experience of reality synonymous with enlightenment; where one becomes aware of the fundamental unity of all things. This is an experience beyond our sensory awareness and is usually only discovered through meditation practices.

Tzu-Jan. (Usually pronounced "Zi-Run".)
This is the Chinese expression for Nature, often translated as "Of itself so". However at the human level, Tzu-Jan (11) is also the condition of spontaneity. This is life without rigidness or uncompromising plans. This is a trust in life to take us where we need to be, ultimately freeing one from anxiety.

References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao
[2] http://www.spiritandflesh.com/Taoism_Three_Taoist_te.htm
[3] http://www.taoism.net/theway/ttc.htm
[4] http://www.taoism.net/articles/mason/ethics.htm#Moderation
[5] http://www.taoism.net/living/2002/200201.htm
[6] http://www.taoism.net/sanctuary/sanctum/050222-wuwei.htm
[7] http://www.taoism.net/living/2002/200204.htm
[8] http://www.taoism.net/living/2004/200408.htm
[9] http://www.iep.utm.edu/yinyang/
[10] http://www.taoism.net/articles/bunting/oneness.htm
[11] http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/612116/ziran

Disclaimer:
Whenever the word "Taoism" is used on this channel, it is Philosophical Taoism that is intended. Philosophical Taoism should not be confused with Religious Taoism, which involves deity worship and ritualistic magic. Superstition, dogma and most of the other trappings of "religion", are of little interest to Philosophical Taoists.

Although every care has been taken to represent the authentic Taoist philosophy, the information presented on this channel is often my personal view and may differ from other followers of Tao. These differences occur because all people are free to interpret the teachings of Nature for themselves. I am neither an academic nor a sage and I don't claim to have any special insight. I'm simply a being sharing my journey of discovery.

I welcome all your questions and comments.
Bobba

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Tao
• Beliefs
• Te
• Three
• Jewels
• Compassion
• Moderation
• Humility
• Wu
• Wei
• P'u
• Detachment
• Yin
• Yang
• Oneness
• Tzu-Jan
• Ancient
• Chinese
• Philosophy
• Taoism

[MusicAmidstTheTrees]

Hello again. I have a question... What are your thoughts on vagabonding and constant travel? I understand moderation is the balance between two extremes, and the extremes I'm faced with are serving in the working world for the rest of my life or leaving society behind and going the path I want to take. My mind is in confusion around this subject; All I wish to do is live a carefree life and follow Tao, but everyone else tells me I must work and live like they. I desperately need some guidance.

[TaoFAQ]

@MusicAmidstTheTrees Tao Te Ching Chapter 80: People of Tao take death seriously and do not travel far. Though they have boats & carriages, no on uses them. Though they have armor and weapons, no one displays them. Their food is plain and good, their clothes fine but simple, their homes secure; They are happy in their ways. Though they live within sight of their neighbours, And crowing cocks & barking dogs are heard across the way, Yet they leave each other in peace while they grow old and die.

[ChocolateMyrrh]

...I was also thinking of how this corresponds with the Bible quote "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding," and a lecture by a Hindu yogi saying that when you surrender to the divine you feel bliss energy and that energy brings positive coincidence and synchronicity, and the Dalai Lama's quote about the universe being an echo of our thoughts. I guess all the good, helpful ideas are universal regardless of the exact language and metaphors.

[TaoFAQ]

@ChocolateMyrrh Something rarely heard from the pulpit...Matthew 6 25-27 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"

[ChocolateMyrrh]

I really enjoyed this. I love your explanations. I especially liked the explanation of tzu-jan. I was watching the National Geographic special "Stress: Portrait of a Killer" and thought what a valuable idea tzu-jan is to adopt. I've found I have better results in life and feel better when I do things, but then let go and don't worry about how the result is going to come about. The results are usually way better then I could have planned.

[TaoFAQ]

@ChocolateMyrrh Indeed. Thank you very kindly for your thoughts.

[winnbrad]

As always, thank you for these videos. They have been a wonderful guide. :-)

[TurquoiseLamp]

I'm always impressed when I hear your wisdom. I really connect with the way you think. Thank you for sharing your journey.

I feel so inspired by you.

[yinyangnature]

@e33ew22wq11q Thank you.

[e33ew22wq11q]

Thank you for helping me find the belief I needed because of Toasim I am now always happy. Thank you so much.

[annieB5575]

Lovely video, Thank you!

[MrOldestPerson]

@MusicAmidstTheTrees I am no Tao expert, just another guy who is as mystified by the beauty of Tao. Tao lives in you . Wherever you go, u live Tao. As for me, i don't think you have to live apart from society just to experience Tao, Tao is everywhere and it is a very beautiful thing. If you believe in Tao, nothing can stop you from doing what you want to achieve in Tao. Go with what you think is good for Tao =)

[yinyangnature]

@STLx311x420x247 All thinking is subjective. Yin-yang only exists inside the mind and is projected on the outside world. This occurs because our minds can only perceive things in contrast to its opposite. The concept of good and evil are our minds attempt to make sense of the world, that's in a constant state of flux - swinging from one extreme to another in order to keep balance. The concepts of good and evil aren't in Nature and neither is Yin-Yang. All that exists outside mind is balance.

[STLx311x420x247]

I'm pretty sure that in taoism they do not include good and evil with yin and yang because good and evil are subjective to each person

[MediumSizedCrane]

perfect

[yinyangnature]

@TheLovesoul1 Thank you! (Alias TaoFAQ)