The Philosophy of Tao
"Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river", Lao Tse The quote above written by Lao Tse exemplifies the magnificent foundation of the Taoist philosophy. The statement illustrates the power of forces in opposition believed to be inhabiting and controlling our universe. While one may remain physically still, in the mind, one may dream and imagine ideas and thoughts beyond our realm of reality. This interpretation of the quote brings our attention to the incredible balance between the complementary but opposing forces of stillness and movement. Taoism is a philosophical tradition that has influenced Chinese culture for over two millenniums. Many scholars continue to consider Taoism as a form of organized religion or faith, but the belief in the Tao is simply a Chinese philosophy or "way" of life. In its English translation, the Tao can be thought of as the natural order of forces and matter, a force flowing through every living sentient object, as well as through the entire universe. More specifically, the Tao "refers to a power which envelopes, surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living" (http://www.religioustolerance.org/taoism.htm). . Taoist philosophy promotes
It during the time when one practices the art of doing nothing that the mind and body can truly relax and experience an inner peace. These cycles have a practical use in the Taoist philosophy, that of restoring a balance of energy in a body whi!ch has been upset by for example, grief or unhappiness. As illustrated by the symbol where Yin and Yang intersect, opposing forms are only a thin line from their counterparts. The idea of a "ceaseless flow of change" can be seen throughout other aspects of Taoist philosophy (Thompson 5). In Taoist philosophy, the element wood is seen to represent the direction of east, the season of spring and the color green; the element fire to represent the south, the summer and the color red; and the element earth to represent the center and the color yellow. After our visit to the temple, I believe I can safely say that our entire group developed a new found appreciation for the Taoist philosophy. The build of the temple was mostly open, with different walkways and paths decorated with Chinese symbols and lettering guiding the visitor to various displays of culture. Both will fail to exist without a complement, and the complement of earth by heaven would make perfect sense to the Taoist philosopher. Lao-Tse, a Chinese contemporary of Confucius in the 5th century B. To the average person consumed in the Western modern thought, order and balance may seem too simple a concept to control all aspects of our universe and the environments in which we live. It is believed that the true Taoist will become enlightened when they can listen and recognize this "way" of the world, and can accept and understand the continuous flow of the Tao within the universe. After having researched the significance of what I had seen, I had come to realize the beautiful demonstration of the flow of the Chi, through the waters, the walls, the artwork and most of all through the many different exotic plant life inhabiting the temple grounds. Taoism has its most modern affect on our society in areas of acupuncture, meditation, herbalism and martial arts. , questioned the ways of the world and searched for ideas to explain the destruction and devastation he observed around him.
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