For some, Taoism points to the deepest of all wisdom. To others, Taoism seems like a put-on: deep-sounding, but really meaningless. Cite a couple of passages from the readings that support one of these views.
Monday, July 15, 2013
The Tao or not the Tao?
For some, Taoism points to the deepest of all wisdom. To others, Taoism seems like a put-on: deep-sounding, but really meaningless. Cite a couple of passages from the readings that support one of these views.
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I think the best example of Taoism being deep-sounding, but really meaningless would be on the first point (page 146 number 1): The Tao Itself. I could site this whole section, but to summarize what I thought it meant is this: The Tao is everything, everywhere, infinite, the beginning of everything, doesn’t create anything, it embodies everything yet is nothing, it’s everywhere and everything. After reading point number 2 on page 152 line 56-57, “Those who know don’t talk. Those who talk don’t know,” I thought that the Tao represents knowledge- it’s everywhere, everything, is in everything, not created, and doesn’t create- it just is.
ReplyDeletePage 173 (d. Truth), “Knowledge creates doubt, and doubt makes your ravenous for more knowledge.” “Green for enlightenment and immortality is no different than greed for material wealth.” Page 174, “The true master understands that enlightenment is not the end but the means.”
One of the things I liked about Taoism is that it teaches a person to use their body, mind, and spirit together. It teaches that to gain wisdom you must use your body, mind, and spirit equally “this is why extremist religions and ideologies do not bear fruit” (Novak, 171).
Interesting that the YMCA emphasizes body, mind, and spirit to develop a whole individual.
DeleteI think a good example of the Taoism wisdom is "Fill your bowl to brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench. Care about people's approval and you will be their prisoner." This passage makes sense. Caring about what other people think of you does make you a prisoner, you are trapped by their opinions. It also talks about being greedy.
ReplyDeleteAnother good example of the Taoism wisdom is “…A great nation is like a great man: When he makes a mistake, he realizes it. Having realized it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it. He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers. He thinks of his enemy as the shadow that he himself cast…” This is a good way to life by. Making mistakes,accepting them and fixing them.
I like your answer!
DeleteCall me a foolish man, but Taoism makes me laugh out loud. (Novak, 149) "...Therefore the Master acts without doing anything and teaches without saying anything. Things arise and she lets them come; things disappear and she lets them go. She has but doesn't possess, acts but doesn't expect. When her work is done, she forgets it. That is why it lasts forever...Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place...Because he has no goal in mind, everything he does succeeds." (Novak, 152-153) This philosophy is very foreign to me because I believe in setting goals and working hard to succeed and make a difference in this world. If we all just sat around all day, not-doing, we would all starve to death. I don't like this selfish, lazy, apathetic way of living. Yes, we need rest and quiet, but not all day! As for Zen-Buddhism, page 97 says, "Stop talking, stop thinking, and there is nothing you will not understand...There is no need to seek Truth, only stop having views..." This to me sounds foolish. I wouldn't make a very good Zen Buddhist or Taoist.
ReplyDeleteThis certainly reflects the eastern philosophy of letting go.
DeleteI like the deep sounding content, (Novak, p 170)
ReplyDelete"How can the divine Oneness be seen?
In beautiful forms, breathtaking wonders, awe-inspiring miracles?
The Tao is not obliged to present itself in this way.
If you are willing to be lived by it, you will see it
everywhere, even in the most ordinary things,"
Following this scripture are a few more lines about liberation:
"Then step away from shallow mass movements and quietly go to work on your own self-awareness."
and
"If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself."
This last one makes me think of a song from the movie Joyful Noise when Keke Palmer sings "Man in the Mirror" emphasizing if we want to change the world, we need to start with the man in the mirror. Begin with yourself.