Why You Should Be a Taoist 🤔
How to live your life like a Chinese sage?
In the constant rush of modern life, we often feel compelled to carve our way through, much like a lumberjack facing a Californian redwood.
But do we have to? According to the ancient Chinese sage Laozi (老子), considered the founding father of Taoism (道家, Daojia), we should let things happen naturally: be like water, flowing effortlessly yet unstoppably!
Lao Tsu is a semi-legendary Chinese philosopher. Source: Pinterest
What can Toism teach us about life?
道家的核心是道，对于道的理解，《道德经》开篇即讲，“道可道，非常道”，因此，大道无极，人难以理解描述，对道的描述和界定，本身就违背道的精神，但是为了理解和传授，只能勉强说道。
《道德经》(“Dàodé jīng”) - Tao Te Ching, foundational work of Taoism traditionally credited to the sage Lao Tsu
开篇 (Kāipiān) - an introduction (of a text)
大道无极 (Dàdàowújí) - The Great Way, or the Tao, the fundamental philosophical concept of Taoism (lit. “The Teaching of the Way)
界定 (Jièdìng) - a definition
违背 (Wéibèi) - a violation, to go against
传授 (Chuánshòu) - to teach, to pass on
勉强 (Miǎnqiáng) - reluctantly, grudgingly
The core of Taoism is the Tao. Regarding the understanding of the Tao, the opening of the "Tao Te Ching" states, "The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao." Therefore, the Great Tao is boundless and difficult for people to comprehend or describe. Any attempt to describe and define the Tao inherently contradicts the spirit of the Tao. However, in order to understand and teach it, we can only reluctantly attempt to speak about it.
道作为万物的本体和真理的指代，在具体的世间中，这一表征就是宇宙天地自然。道显化为宇宙天地自然，那么宇宙天地自然的本质特征，或者说道的本质特征是什么？就是无为。
万物 (Wànwù) - everything (lit. “ten thousand things”)
本体 (Běntǐ) - a body, a thing-in-itself
真理 (Zhēnlǐ) - the truth
具体 (Jùtǐ) - specific, particular
表征 (Biǎozhēng) - a characterization, representation
显化 (Xiǎn huà) - to manifest, manifestation
本质特征 (Běnzhí tèzhēng) - essential characteristics
无为 (Wúwéi) - Wu wei, an ancient Chinese concept literally meaning "inexertion", "inaction", or "effortless action". Wu Wei is the main principle of Taoism, which speaks of the importance of achieving the Dao without forcing or rushing against the natural order of things.
The Tao, as the fundamental essence of all things and a representation of truth, is manifested in the tangible world as the universe, heaven, and nature. When the Tao is expressed as the universe, heaven, and nature, what is the essential characteristic of these, or in other words, what is the essential characteristic of the Tao? It is non-action (Wu Wei).
More of the Principle of Wuwei
Lao Tsu. Image source: Tianqi.com
Do not force things! Let’s take a look what “Wuwei” means for us:
“无为”的定义是：按照或者说符合自然规律、社会法则、民众福祉来做事。就当前社会而言，社会的总体文化氛围却是不容乐观的，文化的浮躁、社会的转型、经济的粗放……种种这些都使“快餐”生活下本已失去清静的内心找不到寄宿之地。
福祉 (Fúzhǐ) - well-being
氛围 (Fēnwéi) - atmosphere
浮躁 (Fúzào) - impetuous, impulsive
转型 (Zhuǎnxíng) - a transformation
粗放 (Cūfàng) - extensive; synonym: 广泛 (Guǎngfàn)
快餐 (Kuàicān) - fast food
寄宿 (Jìsù) - to lodge, to board
The definition of "Wu Wei" is to act in accordance with natural laws, social rules, and the well-being of the people. In today's society, the overall cultural atmosphere is not encouraging. The culture's restlessness, social transformation, and the rough-and-ready nature of the economy all contribute to a "fast-food" lifestyle, making it difficult for already restless hearts to find a place of peace.
人们在遗忘中，忽视了关注本我的存在。无为可以顺从自然的法则，需要一个良好的心态。对待一切能迷乱内心的事物，我们该清楚一切的欲望最终都将烟消云散。一时的得意并不能真正拥有延续的价值，只有平平淡淡，遵守自然之法则，才可顺应天道。
遗忘 (Yíwàng) - an oblivion
忽视 (Hūshì) - to ignore
本我 (Běn wǒ) - the Self
顺从 (Shùncóng) - to obey, to submit; synonym: 顺应 (Shùnyìng), to comply, to conform
迷乱 (Mí luàn) - a confusion
欲望 (Yùwàng) - a desire, to desire
烟消云散 (Yānxiāoyúnsàn) - to disappear
得意 (Déyì) - pleased, complacent, proud; past idiom: 春风得意 (Chūnfēng déyì):
to feel happy and satisfied because things go as they wish.
In forgetting, people have neglected to pay attention to their true selves. "Wu Wei" can follow the laws of nature and requires a good mindset. When dealing with anything that can confuse the heart, we should be aware that all desires will eventually vanish. Temporary success does not hold lasting value; only by living simply and adhering to the laws of nature can we align with the Tao of heaven.
No need to cut down the redwood tree. Let it grow and rest in its shade!
We hope you have an amazing rest of the week and don't forget to follow the Way!
Antoine & Dorota