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So you think you're a Taoist

Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
Now what.

I am, by my own definition, a seeker but I have wonder for a long time about Daoism. I can go back over 20 years when I was once asked a question about what religion I felt I was closet to (in a philosophy of religion college course) and my response was " I tend towards Taoism, but I am a Protestant because that is what my family is". Taken many tests since then on what religion you are, most recently today, and every time Taoism comes up in the top 3, and generally number 1 or 2.

Now I have no idea what I tend towards, or maybe I do and I am resistant because I know what my family was and is and the history behind that and maybe that history, and commitment, gets in the way of any decision

Does anyone have an suggestions on where to go from here, what to read.

Or is this a silly question?
 
Geoff-Allen

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
Not a silly question at all!

I don't know a LOT about Taoism but I would suggeest reading a few books or surfing the web.

I HIGHLY recommend meditation - it has helped me a lot - mainly Buddhist meditation in my case.

Meditation, Taoist Meditation Steps, Meditation Techniques

Don't feel you have 2 be bound by what family may practice - it's your life - I was raised Catholic but never felt totally coommtable with those beliefs.

Trust your heart!

Best of luck in your search!
 
Baladas

Baladas

An Págánach
Follow your convictions.
Almost my whole family are non-denominational Christians...be true to your inner self.

It's definitely not a silly question.
 
Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
Geoff-Allen said:
Not a silly question at all!

I don't know a LOT about Taoism but I would suggeest reading a few books or surfing the web.

I HIGHLY recommend meditation - it has helped me a lot - mainly Buddhist meditation in my case.

Meditation, Taoist Meditation Steps, Meditation Techniques

Don't feel you have 2 be bound by what family may practice - it's your life - I was raised Catholic but never felt totally coommtable with those beliefs.

Trust your heart!

Best of luck in your search!
Click to expand...

Thank You, that link will be very helpful
 
Baladas

Baladas

An Págánach
I've been there. Yeah, it seems like a good site to me. :)

Also, I highly recommend the book 365 Tao by Deng Ming-Dao.
 
Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
Geoff-Allen said:
Glad 2 be of service!

The ONLY book I ever read about Taoism was "The Tao of Pooh" - quite interesting and useful.

Best wishes!
Click to expand...

I have read that, but it was a long time ago, maybe it is time for a reread
 
Geoff-Allen

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
“Once upon a time, I dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was myself. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.”

~ Zhuangzi

More here -

Zhuangzi Quotes (Author of The Way of Chuang Tzu)

Enjoy!
 
Baladas

Baladas

An Págánach
There is also a thread on this board called Taoist Text Resource, and it has a lot of free reading material. I'm not sure what all you have read...but Liezi and Zhuangzi (Lieh Tzu and Chuang Tzu) are the two books I would recommend after the Tao te Ching...one that I recently discovered (also on that thread I think) called Nei-yeh "Inner Cultivation". I am pretty happy to have it, and it was an exciting find because it is supposed to be older than the Tao te Ching and seems to have been it's inspiration. :)
 
Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
seekingtruth said:
There is also a thread on this board called Taoist Text Resource, and it has a lot of free reading material. I'm not sure what all you have read...but Liezi and Zhuangzi (Lieh Tzu and Chuang Tzu) are the two books I would recommend after the Tao te Ching...one that I recently discovered (also on that thread I think) called Nei-yeh "Inner Cultivation". I am pretty happy to have it, and it was an exciting find because it is supposed to be older than the Tao te Ching and seems to have been it's inspiration. :)
Click to expand...

I have read a couple of translations of the Dao De Jing and I have also read the Nei Yeh and I was planning on reading it again this evening. I have also read pooh and piglet . but as for Liezi and Zhuangzi I have only read a little of Zhuangzi and I shall check out all the threads you mentioned, thank you
 
Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
Geoff-Allen said:
"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."

~ Lao Tzu

Lao Tzu Quotes- BrainyQuote

Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Interesting and rather apropos because it is pretty much how the realization that I think I am a philosophical Taoist hit me...spontaneously.... and I was resisting...now I'm not
 
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Wu Wei

Wu Wei

ursus senum severiorum and ex-Bisy Backson
I mean no offense to anyone who is Buddhist, I for a time thought I might be. But I have been a poster on a site dedicated to Zen Buddhism and they are very nice people, but as soon as I stated I believe I am much closer to a Philosophical Taoist than a Buddhist some wished me luck and others started on the Buddhist lecture circuit…. And after reading it last night the best possible way to deal with all of it came to me. It was something I read on the website “…You might be a Taoist” (it is originally from “Daily Cup of Tao")

"Where Zen and Buddhism will say the truth, enlightenment, and so on can be reached through dedicated meditation and practice, a Tao master may sip some wine, fart, and go to sleep."
Click to expand...

although I sipped tea, had no flatulence, I did log off and go to sleep.... :D
 
Baladas

Baladas

An Págánach
Wu Wei said:
I mean no offense to anyone who is Buddhist, I for a time thought I might be. But I have been a poster on a site dedicated to Zen Buddhism and they are very nice people, but as soon as I stated I believe I am much closer to a Philosophical Taoist than a Buddhist some wished me luck and others started on the Buddhist lecture circuit…. And after reading it last night the best possible way to deal with all of it came to me. It was something I read on the website “…You might be a Taoist” (it is originally from “Daily Cup of Tao")



although I sipped tea, had no flatulence, I did log off and go to sleep.... :D
Click to expand...

I had never seen that "You might be a Taoist" site. I love it. :)

I feel a certain level of kinship many with Zen Buddhists, but I have found myself to be a Philosophical Taoist through and through.

"Where Zen and Buddhism will say the truth, enlightenment, and so on can be reached through dedicated meditation and practice, a Tao master may sip some wine, fart, and go to sleep."
Click to expand...

I do enjoy my wine and the occasional flatulence. I also prefer tea though. :D
 
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