"an open letter to taoists" (Jesus Christ, reject, Earth)

[Guitar's Cry]

The argument that following the Tao equals inaction (as defined by doing nothing, like the author's cat) is one of the most common misinterpretations of Taoism.

It's not about doing nothing, it's about doing everything according to the Tao - following the course of the river, not fighting against it.


At least, that's my interpretation.

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Guitar's Cry

The argument that following the Tao equals inaction (as defined by doing nothing, like the author's cat) is one of the most common misinterpretations of Taoism.

It's not about doing nothing, it's about doing everything according to the Tao - following the course of the river, not fighting against it.

I used to think this too... my mind has changed. Tao has as much to do with inaction or action, as it does with understanding and awareness.

In fact tao has everything to do with nothing, and vice versa.

This sounds fricking mystical but it's not. Trust me. I'm just not the sort for that sorta stuff

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by ChrisP

I used to think this too... my mind has changed. Tao has as much to do with inaction or action, as it does with understanding and awareness.

In fact tao has everything to do with nothing, and vice versa.

This sounds fricking mystical but it's not. Trust me. I'm just not the sort for that sorta stuff

Regarding doing nothing someone said something to me the other day that struck me as rather interesting: -

"If you want to get a glimpse of why holding specific beliefs is not important to Taoism spend 3 days without speaking, listening, reading, writing or trying to think about those things. Go without music and moving images too. I guarantee you'll understand things a little differently afterwards."

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

Regarding doing nothing someone said something to me the other day that struck me as rather interesting: -

"If you want to get a glimpse of why holding specific beliefs is not important to Taoism spend 3 days without speaking, listening, reading, writing or trying to think about those things. Go without music and moving images too. I guarantee you'll understand things a little differently afterwards."

Hah! I tried this about 3 months ago (but only for 1 day) and yes, it's an... interesting experience.

Definitely centreing. At the end of it, it was almost like having interactively meditated for a day...

[GeneCosta]

That's actually an interesting thought. I might try it when I don't have classes.

[PureX]

On the subject of "non-action":

In pursuit of knowledge,
every day something is added.
In the practice of the Tao,
every day something is dropped.
Less and less do you need to force things,
until finally you arrive at non-action.
When nothing is done,
nothing is left undone.

True mastery can be gained
by letting things go their own way.
It can't be gained by interfering.




The Master gives himself up
to whatever the moment brings.
He knows that he is going to die,
and he has nothing left to hold on to:
no illusions in his mind,
no resistances in his body.
He doesn't think about his actions;
they flow from the core of his being.
He holds nothing back from life;
therefore he is ready for death,
as a man is ready for sleep
after a good day's work.




Every being in the universe
is an expression of the Tao.
It springs into existence,
unconscious, perfect, free,
takes on a physical body,
lets circumstances complete it.
That is why every being
spontaneously honors the Tao.

The Tao gives birth to all beings,
nourishes them, maintains them,
cares for them, comforts them, protects them,
takes them back to itself,
creating without possessing,
acting without expecting,
guiding without interfering.
That is why love of the Tao
is in the very nature of things.

- from the Tao te Ching

[Scarlett Wampus]

Originally Posted by GeneCosta

That's actually an interesting thought. I might try it when I don't have classes.

Yeah I thought so. Although I'm meant to be ultra-busy I think I'm gonna spare 3 days between Christmas and New Year for this. Its been a while since I've done anything like that.

And hey ChrisP it is like that, yeh. In fact I think it would be a good thing to recommend to anyone who is interested in meditation but is getting upset by their lack of concentration.

[ChrisP]

Originally Posted by Scarlett Wampus

In fact I think it would be a good thing to recommend to anyone who is interested in meditation but is getting upset by their lack of concentration.

Exactly how it was reccomend to this sheep.