[Boleo]

The Tao, the Way, the Path

Taoism is not a religion, nor is it a philosophy. Rather, it is a "way” of life or “path” of nature. The Tao is the natural order of things. It is the origin of all creation and a force that flows through every living, physical or sentient being, as well as through the entire universe. Taoism can also be called "the other way," It has coexisted alongside other formal philosophies and religions for thousands of years with little or no conflict. In fact, when Buddhism was banned in parts of China, some of their membership merely started calling themselves Taoists and the Government left them alone.

The Tao that can be talked about is not the true “Tao”. Tao cannot be represented as a particular entity, thing or image. The Tao can be transmitted but it cannot be received. Tao is not directly translatable to “God”. Any word which we can define is not “the” Tao. The concept of a personified deity is foreign to a Taoist, as is the concept of the creation of the universe. Time is cyclical, not linear as in Western thinking. Tao is unknowable in “essence” but observable in “manifestations”. The Tao belongs neither to knowing or not knowing. It is paradoxically “nothing”, yet it is “in everything”.

How can it be described? "Thirty spokes on a cart wheel go towards the hub that is the center — but look, there is nothing at the center, and that is precisely how it works!" Tao is explained as being the “nothing” within all things. The Tao does nothing — yet nothing is left undone.
Translated literally Tao means "stillness and movement". However this is just the virtual Tao which is itself a paradox. Everything is explained as being full of contradiction — for life there is death, for happiness there is sorrow; when one exists its opposite also exists — the Tao encompasses the contradictions and at the same time supersedes them. Opposite and contradictory aspects (yin/yang) are present in all things.

The Tao, in the broadest sense, is the “way” the universe functions, or the “path” taken by natural events. Tao is the first-cause of the universe as opposed to the creator of it. It is characterized by spontaneous creativity and by repetitious cyclical alternations of phenomena (such as day following night) that proceed without effort. Effortless action (wu wei) may be illustrated by the conduct of water, which unresistingly accepts the lowest level and yet wears away the hardest substance. As the Tao operates without prejudice in the universe, so should mankind disavow assertive, biased or purposive action. The Taoist life is not, however, a life of total inactivity. It is rather a life of unbiased action (wu-wei).

Much of the essence of Tao is in the art of “wu wei” (action through inaction). Non-forceful, going with the grain or flexing with the wind. This does not mean, "sit on your ass and wait for everything to fall into your lap." What it really means is a practice of minimal harmonious action. It is the practice of going against the stream not by struggling but by standing still and letting the stream carry you forward. Water nourishes everything yet strives at nothing.

Taoism is based on the recognition that the reality as perceived is included within but not comprehensive of the Tao (a tree is not made of wood, a tree is wood). So long as there is a notion of ourselves as something different from the Tao, all kinds of tensions build up between “self” on the one hand and real world “experiences” on the other. Cultures which limit the definition of self to the facility of consciousness, attribute unconscious workings to an external God. To label the Tao as an unconscious energy is as much off the point as to conceive of it as a personal ruler, such as God. Tao often goes unnoticed because the true Tao wishes to remain anonymous.
Stated positively: Tao is a life expressing the "self-so" (essence of spontaneity). This allows self to manifest the simple, reduce selfishness and have few desires. Each believer's goal is to become one with the Tao. In realizing that you are one with the Tao, you automatically “manifest” the power of Tao. However, power, as with grace, is something which no one individual should lay claim to. The power lies outside the individual.

Tao people never try, they “do”. To “do” means to provide the action and let the Tao provide the results. Tao people are detached from judgment and do not waste time on self-criticism. Tao people never struggle to be great, which is how true greatness is achieved.

Just as superior Taoists do not aim at the Tao, superior virtue is not aimed at virtue. Superior virtue is not intentional virtue, intentional virtue is considered to be inferior virtue. Superior virtue uses no force yet leaves nothing left undone. Inferior virtue struggles by using force but leaves much left undone. When good deeds are accomplished, we should not claim or point to them (humility). Those who know they do not know are on the quickest road to wisdom.

Taoists believe that "people are compassionate by nature...left to their own devices they will show this compassion without expecting a reward." A Taoist is kind to other individuals; largely because such an action tends to be reciprocated (what goes around comes around).
The ancient Taoists understood the “secret of art” and “the art of living”. Living with Tao is like working with wood; one must never go against the grain. To be skillful and creative, they had to have inner spiritual concentration and put aside concern with external values, such as monetary rewards, fame, and praise. The “Three Jewel Virtues” to be sought are compassion, moderation and humility. Art, like life, followed the creative path of nature, not the values of human society.

They saw in Tao and nature the basis of a spiritual approach to living. Human beings, following the Tao, must refrain from all striving and judgment. The Tao teaches us to take control of our lives by facing our fears and surrendering our wants. Tranquility in disturbance leads to perfection. The ideal state of being is simplicity and freedom from desire, comparable to that of an “innocent child” or an “uncarved block”.