maybe, maybe not. what more do you believe needs to be said? (what more do you believe CAN even be said, without being in some way deceptive, of both self and others?) rightly or wrongly i see taoism, and i claim no expertese, as precisely not pretending to know what is not known. much as i also see this in many indiginous traditions in their actual practice. =^^= .../\...
i never try to settle for one thing, one frame of thought, which any religion, philosophy school/ science is anyway. one thing will never grasp all there is, i myself will never grasp all there is either. i just take bits from wherever i run into things that keep my mind busy and I have to say Taoism is something I really dig, though i've only just started up reading about it.
(replying to a thread that has been idle for some time=i fail) I sort of refer to myself as being "Taoist" because it is easier to breifly sum up my ideas and beliefs with that. As far as "are you a taoist?" there is a comlicated answer to that. Taoism is split into different things in a sense. There is a religious side to it having a theistic ideology to it, and then there are more of a philosophical and way of life and acceptance to it that really cant be considered a religion as far as theistic religions go. I am simple, while at the same time complicated, as are my views. They are the same as the view of taoism on the universe as a whole, there is a balancing. My ultimate goal is sort of the mix of Taoism and Buddhism, with a zen outlook and meditation. I try to live as natural and as simple as I can. I try to be peaceful, while accepting that self defense, and preparation for self defense (such as studying martial arts, etc.) are also important. The ultimate goal is peace, but with peace there will almost always be a sense of war, that is part of the balance, those with a pure, simple and natural mind will avoid this, and know it is not needed, but will also study and train to act in defense, never as a showing of dominance through strength or power though. I view the universe as one entity. Everything is made of energy. Atoms are known as the smallest particles, each atom is made of positive, negative and neutral energy. This energy makes up all things, had no beginning through the theory of energy exchange, and has no end. Rather than thinking along the lines of "the big bang" I view this energy was always there in some form, the universe was always there in some form, the way that energy changes in its constant flux to create this here and now is just what I am experiencing as energy has formed into molecules and repeated in a complex process to create me as a human. I accept that I am made of the same thing as everything around me in my simplest form. As far as a here and now, consciousness outlook. I appreciate that I came together in the form I did to be human, have intelligence and free will within limits of natural law, and have the experience of consciousness and a perception of reality. I therefor enjoy everyday and each moment for what it is and what I can do with it. In that mindset, I disagree with those who say Taoism teaches it is better to be nothing than something or to not try than to try and fail. I view it is simply and outlook and a view and acceptance of simple, natural law, and oneness with the infinite universe that contains all things(which is where I believe the idea of all theistic religions stems from). This in no way teaches to be nothing. It teaches that whether something or nothing we are energy in some form all part of one infinite entity in constant flux. In that view, yes, I would say I am a Taoist. However, having the most basic and fundamental Taoist views, I dont feel that label means anything, it just simply explains to those who feel everything needs a label along what lines ones views lie near. I hope this makes at least some sense to anyone reading it.
well, and of course as i say, i claim no authority, but i see the basic tennant of taoism being that if you think you know what cannot be known, you're full of shit. to put it a bit crudely and bluntly perhapse, but it is a principal i endorse whole heartedly and see no fault in. there's a lot more else to it of course, like the most good is done by doing the least harm, and even doing the lest at all when avoidance of harm is uncertain. =^^= .../\...
I consider myself a Taoist of sorts. I don't claim to be a follower of any one path, except for the one in my soul.
I don't consider myself much of anything, but a lot of the concepts and ideas of Taoism work well with a lot of other spiritual views, including my own.
A taoist would not be near a friggin computer on a forum talking about taoism..... unless you are some kind of new age fanatic following a trend or something. Read about it. no I am not a taoist .. I take what I can from the philosophy.
I use a lot of the philosophy from the Tao De Ching in everyday life. I wouldn't call myself a Taoist though.
Yeah I'm taoist man, personally I just agree with it's ideals and what not far more than any other religion
Eh, to 'thedope', does a Taoist believe in personal redemption as opposed to a personal God? I, myself, really have to ask that sort of question? Maybe I'm not an existentialist. [boo, hoo, hoo]
Taoism really doesn't believe in either one. Instead it basically teaches that there is no good or evil except what is labeled so according to a person or person's mind. It is also interesting to note that no where in the Tao Te Ching does Lao Tzu imply punishment or judgement for not doing right by Tao. Take this verse for instance While Lao Tzu does show the differences between a wise man and a "fool" he does not condemn the fool for being just that. We are reminded here that if we can embrace our inner strength and tranquility when they are threatened by out of control addictions and emotions, we will stay the course toward the Tao, and be grateful for having done so. However Lao Tzu invites no judgement or blame against those who do not hold fast.
No person can technically be "more taoist" than another. Even Lao Tzu himself states and While I will willingly agree that perhaps you are farther ahead of me in the journey I will say that on what I speak I only quote Lao Tzu in all of his wisdom, thus it is him not I that knows. The Tao calls on us to help each other and be kind to each other, it does not call on us to try and appear better than others.
