I am interested in Taoism, but I know more about Zen Buddhism. I am aware of the historical connection between the two. What do you guys perceive to be the key differences between Taoism and Zen?
With Zen, enlightenment is the ultimate goal. For a Taoist, enlightenment is only the beginning of the ultimate path... ZW
every word and every name, ordinary humans made them. but behind the words and the names, there is that which is real, which requires no names or words, but simply is.
The way (the tao) is probably the only thing in the world that makes sense, shame I live in a country where nature and balance come second to want and desire, bad times for mankind, no bother balance follows chaos ☮
I learned about Taoism in philiosophy class and most of the beliefs are that of mine so I now consider myself a Taoist. I don't know much about the religion, but from learning about Taoist beliefs I realized that I have been all along, I've just never known my label.
Um.. that's more like the westernized version, but reading about Taoism is not making anyone a Taoist though. Taoism is not about just a book, it's way more than that... there are many things in Taoism that is impossible to self-learn, such as the Taoism magic, way of life improving, exorcism, divination, astrology, fortune telling, and all that are just impossible to learn. Turns out many westerners are tricked into new age stuff more than Taoism...
I definitely understand that, I've never really slapped a label on myself when it comes to religion because I've always took what I believed in from each religion and threw out the rest. Taoism just seems to fit better than the rest. The core Taoism beliefs are basically what I'm talking about. I don't know the first thing about exorcism and divination, etc.
I'd suggest picking up a copy of the Tao Te Ching somewhere. It makes for a very interesting read. BUT it isn't something you'll be able to read once and understand. For me it's something that seems to be taking more of a lifetime to understand. I learn something new everytime I open it.
I remember once reading somewhere that a true taoist wouldn't call themselves a taoist... That wrecked me for a bit. Still not quite sure how to respond to people asking me what religion I follow.
For me calling myself a Taoist is no different from saying I'm agnostic or middle aged. None of these is a statement of beliefs, practices, or lifestyles and its impossible to convert. Either you are middle aged, agnostic, or Taoist or you aren't and it really doesn't matter either way. Taoist just happens to be the best description I have for how I view and live my life and to quote the immortal Frank Zappa, "You are what you is, and that's all it tis."
i am an awareness that makes a conscious effort to avoid deceiving itself. i am also not one which denies anything can exist without having to be known or even imagined. the question of whether the label "taoist" fits or does not fit, is neither pertinent to the tao, nor to my own existence.
