The Now moment. (taoism, disease)

[Master Vigil]

I moved this from the taoism forum to get some opinions.

How important is NOW? We worry so much about the future, and cling so much to the past. But can we really predict the future, or completely understand the past? I would say no. But the present we can know much easier. And if the present is focused on with much attention, the future will probably be a good one. Focusing on the present and not the future will resolve stress and anxiety. Someone may say, but I am doing this in the present because of the future. A taoist would say...

It is true the present creates the future. But one should never try to make the future create the present.

[madCOWdisease]

i have read many of your posts -- i have a question for you.
is it possible to be a philisophical taoists and not agree with religious taosim?

[standing_on_one_foot]

Reasonable enough, although you can't ignore them either, to be fair. Probably a balance between obsession with past/future and no or little concern is best. That Aristotle, man, he knew what he was talking about...

[linwood]

I am usually in "The Now".

When I think of the future it is because I have set some time and energy aside specifically for that introspection.

I believe if you take care of "The Now" then for the most important parts "The Future" will be fine.

[Master Vigil]

Originally Posted by madCOWdisease

i have read many of your posts -- i have a question for you.
is it possible to be a philisophical taoists and not agree with religious taosim?

It is very possible. It is the way most chinese are today. You can still find religious taoists and even taoist monks in china as well, but they are not the majority. I find philosophical taoism to not be enough. You cannot get the full impact of taoist thought unless you study i ching, and chi gung. Whether or not you believe in the immortals or chi vampires and such, does not matter. But chi is definitely a huge importance in taoism.