Which wisdom deity would you recommend?

[agorman]

I'm thinking of trying Taoism (or at least my own path with Taoist influences) and I'd like to put a wisdom/teacher deity on my shrine that would guide me on my path. Which deity do you suggest? And what kind of offerings would he or she ask from me?

 

[psychoslice]

I don't think there is such thing as a deity in Taoism ?.

 

[agorman]

I don't think there is such thing as a deity in Taoism ?.

Maybe not in phylosophical Taoism, but there are many deities worshipped in religious Taoism such as Kuan Kung the protector, etc. I know "Google is my friend" and there are many webpages on taoist deities, but I'd like a recommendation of someone who knows a lot about Taoism.

 

[psychoslice]

Maybe not in phylosophical Taoism, but there are many deities worshipped in religious Taoism such as Kuan Kung the protector, etc. I know "Google is my friend" and there are many webpages on taoist deities, but I'd like a recommendation of someone who knows a lot about Taoism.

To me the trouble with Taoism is that its lost its true meaning or what it points to, the Tao cannot be named, it cannot be taught, its what we are, its all there IS, and anything else is just a story of the Tao, that in fact, takes you away from the Tao.

 

[agorman]

To me the trouble with Taoism is that its lost its true meaning or what it points to, the Tao cannot be named, it cannot be taught, its what we are, its all there IS, and anything else is just a story of the Tao, that in fact, takes you away from the Tao.

It all depends on how'd you want to relate with the Tao. We're still currently limited as human beings, so I see no point in trying to get in touch with the whole Universe at once!

I see no harm in asking for the guidance of an immortal/illuminated being as you could consult a human taoist master. But the human one would be less reliable of course. It would also depend on the quality of the UPG.

 

[Valjean]

Rodin's The Thinker (Le Penseur), or maybe the Straw Man from The Wizard of Oz.

 

[agorman]

Rodin's The Thinker (Le Penseur), or maybe the Straw Man from The Wizard of Oz.

The thinker looks worried! The Straw Man after knowing he's wise I suppose. Although for a wisdom symbol, maybe an owl would be better.

Anyway, I was referring to a deity and not an archetype (though deities do use archetypes).

 

[Valjean]

An owl? Pffft
Hackneyed, overdone. Hasn't been fresh for three millennia.

 

[agorman]

An owl? Pffft
Hackneyed, overdone. Hasn't been fresh for three millennia.
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Well, old doesn't mean non-efficient... in fact, it could be more powerful exactly because it was used for millenia. Unless being bored of the owl is an obstacle.

I was thinking of Jurōjin. But I've never worked with him before.

 

[psychoslice]

It all depends on how'd you want to relate with the Tao. We're still currently limited as human beings, so I see no point in trying to get in touch with the whole Universe at once!

I see no harm in asking for the guidance of an immortal/illuminated being as you could consult a human taoist master. But the human one would be less reliable of course. It would also depend on the quality of the UPG.

We as human being are the Tao, because there is nothing that isn't the Tao, any guidance from whoever can only point you to the Tao, they cannot give it to you because you already have it, they don't have anymore than you do, they only realize what they have, or are.

 

[Brendan Crumrine]

Psychoslice is well informed. You and any deity you would wish to worship should be equally knowledgeable of the Tao. Also you might like the suggestion to see beyond good and bad from Lao Tzu. Knowledge and ignorance are both part of the Tao that move alongside you. I think that's it at least, I don't want to be too presumptuous of the Tao.

 

[crowfeather]

Watch a crow by a pond. Watch it until you realize what it is doing. There is nothing more wise than a crow.