During the course of a canoeing trip, I took it upon myself to learn as much Taoism as I possibly could. Our guide, or Interpreter as they call themselves, was a Philosophy major, which I thought was cool. I don't know who brought the books along, but she was reading the Tao of Pooh and Tao De Ching. I started reading the books too, and would read as much as I could during the trip, which I found to be very relaxing.

**The Tao Te Ching (Dao De Jing) is a collection of writings or thoughts said to be written by Lao Tzu around 600 B.C. The Tao Te Ching is the second most translated publication in the world next to the Bible.**

This isn't going to be a book report on the books, but a general overview of Taoism from many different sources of the web.

I'm not trying to convert anyone either, but I found Taoism to have some good values and beliefs myself.

Tao (pronounced "Dow") can be roughly translated into English as path, or the way. The founder of Taoism is believed by many to be Lao-Tse (604-531 BCE), a contemporary of Confucius. Taoism started as a combination of psychology and philosophy but evolved into a religious faith in 440 CE when it was adopted as a state religion. At that time Lao-Tse became popularly venerated as a deity. Taoism, along with Buddhism and Confucianism, became one of the three great religions of China.

Taoist Beliefs and Practices:
Taoism has provided an alternative to the Confucian tradition in China. The two traditions have coexisted in the country, region and generally within the same individual.
Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.
Each believer's goal is to become one with the Tao.
Time is cyclical, not linear as in Western thinking.
Taoists generally have an interest in promoting health and vitality.

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Taoism, flowing with Tao ( Dao ) - translated to English as "The Way", "The Flow of Things", the "Course of Nature", or "The Watercourse Way."

The Tao is not something different from nature, the birds, the bees, the trees, or ourselves. The Tao is the way all that behaves. So the basic Chinese idea of the universe is that it is an organism

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So okay, this isn't as much information as i'd like. I can add more to the thread if Admin permits it, by replying to this thread myself with more info.

Does anyone find this interesting?

I'm currently taking an Introduction to Philosophy course and I just find the class thought-provoking, somewhat confusing and thrilling. Really is amazing.

Thank you for your time.

-MrZachary

Write away Zach! I too am interested in eastern phillosphy/religion. I enjoyed reading your post.

Correct me if I am wrong, but Taoism is not a religion it is only a philosophy. It is sometimes seen in Buddhist practices (especially with Zen/Chan Buddhism), but I really don't think it is classified as a religion any more than confucism or Nietzschean Philoshophy is.

If you are looking for a really good book on this try the Tao te Ching: the definitive version edited by Jonathan Star. It is a wonderful version in that it gives you both the english translation and a chinese version with a glossary so that you can actually translate it yourself and see how differently it can be read from one translator to another.

:yin-yang: MM

OOOO please more more I find these discussion's enlightening while I'm a Christian I do love learning about other culture's and religion's.

Well Zach isn't here so we can check out the belief-o-matic for answers to our religious inquiries. Its in another thread.

Zach may not be here anymore, but let me know if you find any information on Taoism here and i 'll do the same. It is a fascinating philosopy.

MM

Correct me if I am wrong, but Taoism is not a religion it is only a philosophy. It is sometimes seen in Buddhist practices (especially with Zen/Chan Buddhism), but I really don't think it is classified as a religion any more than confucism or Nietzschean Philoshophy is.

If you are looking for a really good book on this try the Tao te Ching: the definitive version edited by Jonathan Star. It is a wonderful version in that it gives you both the english translation and a chinese version with a glossary so that you can actually translate it yourself and see how differently it can be read from one translator to another.

:yin-yang: MM
Hi there MM. I believe Taoism, like Buddhism, can be practiced as either a religion or a philosophy. I define religion more broadly than a belief in a supreme being or even a higher power.

There is Taoist magic practiced in a highly ritualized way. There are Taoist priests.

If you would like more detail about what I have gleaned, I would be glad to elaborate. I would also enjoy hearing more of your point of view.

I've read the Tao of Pooh and glanced at other information but haven't retained much. What I've read I like, it's very interesting. It's been a year since MM posted this so I'll ask you to elaborate for me.

I've been reading quite a bit about Taoism recently. Tao, broadly means 'The Way' and is the driving force of the universe, life and everything else. Taoism is definitely not a religion, but rather, a philosophy for the avoidance of suffering and improving the quality of life. Unlike the bigger world religions like Christianity and Islam, Taoism is not exlcusively focused on the afterlife but rather on living fully here, now, on Earth. Taoism does not deal with questions such as "Is there an afterlife?" or "Who created the Universe?". Taoism teaches living balanced lives close to nature and not getting obsessed with the past or the future - afterlife, for the purpose of this philosophy is non-existent. Make the most of your life, accept the world as it is, accept death as something natural and do not take modern society too seriously. Only nature (the Tao) is perfect and staying close to it and living by its ways gets rid of everyday suffering and makes life more fullfilling. Tao teaches humility, simple life, being good and tolerant to other people.

I greatly enjoy Taoism and try to apply it to many aspects of my life. Because I do not consider it a religion, I generally view myself as an atheist. But I believe anyone can benefit from reading about this great philosophy - doesn't matter what religion you belong to - Taoism is so non-dogmatic that almost anyone can find something in it.