Taoism and Peace Leo R. Sandy

Taoism and Peace Taoism (also spelled Daoism) is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, a short tract written in the 6th century BCE in China. Taoism emphasizes spiritual harmony within the individual, complementing Confucianism's focus on social duty. The two great Chinese belief systems were founded at about the same time and continue to exist side-by-side in today's China. There are two main schools within Taoism, usually called "philosophical Taoism" (Tao-chia) and "religious Taoism" (Tao-chaio).

Taoism cont’d Philosophical Taoism tends to focus on the philosophical writings of Lao-Tzu, Chuang-Tzu and other early mystics while religious Taoism emphasizes religious rituals aimed at attaining immortality. There are 20 million Taoists worldwide, most of whom live in China, Taiwan, or Southeast Asia. Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the fields of alternative medicine and martial arts like Tai Chi. Taoism is Based on teachings of Lao-Tzu, c. 550 BC, China.

Taoism The belief system is Pantheism - the Tao pervades all. Yin-yang - opposites make up a unity. There is a general attitude of detachment and non-struggle, "go with the flow" of the Tao. Tai-chi, acupuncture, and alchemy aim to increase longevity. Texts include Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters); Nihon-gi (Chronicles of Japan)

Taoism cont’d Here are three easy starting steps to learning Taoism: 1. Don’t concentrate on the definition of the Tao (this will come later naturally) 2. Understand what Taoism really is. Taoism is more than just a “philosophy” or a “religion”. Taoism should be understood as being: A system of belief, attitudes, and practices set towards the service and living to a person’s own nature. 3.The path of understanding Taoism is simply accepting yourself. Live life and discover who you are. Your nature is ever changing and is always the same. Don’t try to resolve the various contradictions in life; instead, learn acceptance of your nature.

Taoism cont’d Basic Guidelines: With care, I aid those who are extended expressions of my nature. Be true to myself Connect to the world as I want to be treated. Connect to those outside my nature with decisive action. To those unwilling to accept me for my true nature, no action is required: Just silently let them be themselves as I remain myself. I own nothing; I am merely a passing custodian of items outside of my nature.

Taoism cont’d The truth taught in Taoism is to embrace life in actions that support you as a person. Taoism teaches a person to live to their heart. The truth taught in Taoism is to embrace life in actions that support you as a person. Taoism teaches a person to live to their heart.

Taoism cont’d It is a religion of unity and opposites; Yin and Yang .The principle of Yin Yang sees the world as filled with complementary forces - action and non-action, light and dark, hot and cold, and so on The Tao is not God and is not worshipped. Taoism includes many deities that are worshipped in Taoist temples; they are part of the universe and depend, like everything, on the Tao

Taoism cont’d Taoism promotes Achieving harmony or union with nature The pursuit of spiritual immortality Being 'virtuous' (but not ostentatiously so) Self-development

Taoism cont’d Taoist practices include Meditation Feng Shui Fortune Telling Reading and chanting of scriptures

Taoism cont’d Taoism is acceptance of your life. Taoism is following your breath to find peace. Taoism is opening up a smile to enable possibility.

Quotes Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching A leader is best When people barely know he exists Of a good leader, who talks little, When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, They will say, “We did this ourselves - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Video The Taoist Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing: The barefoot Doctor at TEDxHackney

Organizations Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA: http://www.taoist.org/usa/ DaoUSA: http://daousa.org/

References Taoism. Retrieved from http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism Tao 101. Retrieved from http://personaltao.com/teachings/taoism/taoism-101/ Taoism at a Glance. Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/ataglance/glance.shtml The Taoist Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Retrieved from https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbnt&hsimp=yhs-adk_sbnt&hspart=adk&p=TED+talk+Taoism#id=1&vid=1dabf789d9305d9c1b67d9ff668afd8f&action=click

References cont’d Tao Te Ching Quotes. Retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/100074