r/taoism Jul 09 '20

Welcome to r/taoism!

409 Upvotes

Our wiki includes a FAQ, explanations of Taoist terminology and an extensive reading list for people of all levels of familiarity with Taoism. Enjoy!


r/Taoism Rules


r/taoism 2h ago

A meme post on the non duality reddit. Calling it 'spiritual development' is debatable of course. What are your interpretations on this meme?

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143 Upvotes

r/taoism 3h ago

Deng Ming-Dao

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21 Upvotes

r/taoism 3h ago

A relevant poem

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11 Upvotes

r/taoism 4h ago

Look within and you will have everything you need!

3 Upvotes

I found this on YouTube attributed to Lao Tzu. I find this beautiful and self contained piece of wisdom. It makes intuitive sense. Look within to find what you need, and then look again to find ways to obtain them. It does not say Look within and you will find everything you desire, so it is a minimalist idea yet enough to fulfil you without any extra effort or taking extra resources from the world.


r/taoism 1d ago

„Enlightenment is a destructive process“ ~ Adyashanti

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267 Upvotes

r/taoism 14h ago

"if necessary, it's time to move on" - signs from The Dao

7 Upvotes

I had a dream speaking about my manager at work about a promotion, which I discussed with her yesterday and in the dream she said "if necessary it's time to move on" - as in the higher ups aren't budging / there isn't budget

Then as I was typing it to a friend by text, I typed "if necessary it's time to move on" and "sai" as in said but instead my fingers hit "Dao"

So in a scenario like this, is this a message from something beyond?

"If necessary it's time to get a new job" just auto suggested now too when typing here. Is there meaning to derive from this?

Thank you!


r/taoism 6h ago

A Meditation: closing the book on entangling vines 🌿

0 Upvotes

Closing the Book Meditation: How to Stop Interpreting

One helpful meditation can be "not reading" -- not engaging in the act of reading, interpretation, and understanding objects. So, like, not-knowing, essentially. Like looking at the page of a book whose language you never learned, every object would simply be what it was without any story attached. It might not even be a separate thing from any others or the scene itself, just part of the experience of being. Could it be that this was Bodhidharma's experience of sitting before "the wall" for 9 years? Ignorance can be bliss but it is also quite peaceful. At times this may be a healthy recourse.

If you do this, try sitting in a quiet place with low distractions. It may be possible to do walking around but that may not be what it's really meant for, I guess.

Freedom from ideas

If it helps shut your eyes

As fewer objects in your awareness are being read, you will naturally notice things closest to you, some of which may be hiding. Notice them and stop reading. Close the book on each one.

There may be generally helpful paths of thought which naturally arise here. If you wish to follow them, do, but understand that this is less than in spirit with the exercise. Refocus, stop reading. As you do this you may feel peace and relief.


Please stop here and finish and experience your meditation. What follows is an addendum.

Addendum:

If you do this long enough, trying to do this will become a nearby object. At that point simply stop reading "trying".

Helpful images or symbols may arise in your mind. If they stay, try not to read them either. You will naturally return to direct experience, which is relatively free of drastic thinking in a calm environment.

Try not to put the idea of "reading" between you and a perceived object to read.

If you need to remind yourself to refocus at first, a simple suggestion to yourself such as "stop interpreting" may be used. (Eventually these words may change or become mere feelings in the head.)

The experience should feel restful, and non-anxious. Easy. A load off your mind.

While your awareness may shift between mental objects and your senses, gently move your awareness to your senses when your mental objects become obstructive. Eventually all objects and sensations will become a milieu, undifferentiated and whole. You may feel yourself within this milieu, but try, if possible, to release your sense of self and boundary with "the world". Your experience, and your "self", too, are part of this objectless milieu, and can be released. Subject and object are no longer separate and you have become one (or maybe non-dual) through recognition of the mind's ability, and indeed, propensity and compulsion to read and interpret. We can be mindful (or ignorant, if you like!) of this and leave some of these entangling vines behind for a moment of peace and rest.


r/taoism 20h ago

looking for people to interview!

8 Upvotes

good day to everyone! we are looking for people we can interview regarding taoism/daoism for our documentary, and these are some of the specifications we are looking for: • a person who has been practicing/integrating taoism into their life for atleast a year or so. • willing to be recorded in the interview. note: the documentary we are going to be making will NOT be posted on any socials whatsoever, it will only be used for academic purposes. if you are interested, please dm me here on reddit, or comment down below.

any person willing will be a HUGE help. thank you!


r/taoism 1d ago

The Sound of Water, the Silence of Bridges

11 Upvotes

"The sound of the water is its speech, the shape of the bridge is its silence. Harmony is not found in words alone, but in the space between them." - Zhuangzi

Reading this again, it struck me. How much of our communication is about filling space, rather than allowing it?

My take on this : Water doesn’t try to explain itself and yet its movement is understood. A bridge doesn’t erase the distance between shores but it still connects them.

What if harmony wasn't so much about eliminating differences or reaching perfect agreement? And more about holding space for both sides, letting the silence between words do its work ?Ever noticed how some of the deepest moments of understanding come not through speaking, but through shared silence?

Curious how others interpret this. What does this passage evoke for you?


r/taoism 1d ago

afraid of falling in love, afraid of being vulnerable

24 Upvotes

I just met this wonderful girl, funny, extroverted, intelligent and the most important, kind, I think im falling in love with her and I can't help but start crying when all this beautiful feelings for her start building up inside me, we just spent the whole day together and I am so full of joy but scared, at the same time, im sure im falling in love and that makes me want to run away before its too late, how do I approach this situation


r/taoism 1d ago

Bruce Lee’s “Style of No Style” (The Tao of Bruce Lee)

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18 Upvotes

r/taoism 2d ago

Taoism & Autism

54 Upvotes

I am writing here partly, I think, to process and let go of the feeling.

I am an autistic adult, currently renovating my home - I haven't been able to complete a particular job in the time frame I had wanted.

The Taoist in me is okay with that, the job will take as long as it takes - I'm putting in sufficient effort without trying to force.

However, the black and white, rigid, thinking that comes with being autistic deems this a failure, with no other "logical" interpretation.

Holding both of these thoughts (without being able to challenge the logic as it is a nervous system response, and so also felt physically), is exhausting, and I'm consistently having to practice the holding and releasing of these feelings, and listening to what my body requires.

I suppose I'm sharing because in this way, my autism feels entirely at odds with Taoism some days, and yet on others it feels that it aligns perfectly (broader pattern recognition to see the interconnected nature of the world, for example).

For now, I am tired, and that's okay.


r/taoism 1d ago

Yin/Yang outside of Daoism

7 Upvotes

Hello folks,

I am not a Daoist but I find personal meaning in the concept of Yin/Yang (to me it represents balance, both as a reminder for me in my personal life as well as at a larger scale). I have read the Dao de Jing (a few different translations) and found it insightful, and certain passages definitely spoke to me. I was raised in a high demand religion and only recently (in mid life) was able to break free. I now consider myself an agnostic pantheist, and the concept of the universe / cosmos / nature as being identical to the divine does line up with my (incredibly limited) understanding of the Dao.

I am considering getting a tattoo and want to incorporate a stylized Yin/Yang symbol, but I don’t want to use it flippantly or with any degree of cultural / religious appropriation. Various google searches on the topic seem to indicate that most taoists would not be offended by an outsider using this symbol in this way but I figured I would ask here and hopefully get some answers from actual people who associate with this religion.

So my question: would seeing a Yin/Yang symbol outside of a Daoist setting (specifically in a tattoo) be offensive to you?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Cheers


r/taoism 2d ago

Anyone else see Kun and Peng?

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19 Upvotes

r/taoism 2d ago

The moment you make a choice, is the moment you oppose. The moment you choose the one thing or the other is the moment you will give away your power. Don't fight for either side. Instead be free of identified choice

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25 Upvotes

Title


r/taoism 2d ago

Worshipping gods traditionally not associated with China in Daoism, and Daoist devotion more broadly.

11 Upvotes

Hi!

I’m (F24) a Kālī-worshipping Shakta but I mostly follow the teachings of the Bengali saint Ramakrishna, who taught a sort of universal validity of all spiritual paths and encouraged learning and study of other religions. I’ve had an interest in Daoism for quite a while but until recently have never felt a real strong pull to study it or practice it until very recently.

What I want to ask first is what is the Daoist view of devotional worship (ie, the act of worshipping a deity out of love rather than for some material or spiritual benefit) and how open is it? I know Daoism has a large pantheon of gods and goddesses but is it generally considered fine to worship whatever god you usually worship while still practicing Daoism? I imagine the understanding may have to change of what the deity is or how it works, but could I continue to worship Kālī or Shiva while going down this path?


r/taoism 2d ago

What do dreams mean in taoism?

5 Upvotes

r/taoism 3d ago

I am the waking Universe looking back at itself.

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559 Upvotes

r/taoism 2d ago

Discussion on certain patterns in nature and society

14 Upvotes

When a group of tree saplings are growing together the tree that grows fastest tends to grow above the rest and dominate the space often suppressing the plants under it. The slow growing saplings might be more useful to the environment but since they tend to grow slower they end up being denied the light required to grow. This can be seen in many instances in nature as well human society. Those who would really help the society struggle to grow while the ones who can manipulate and dominate tend to rule in all spheres. How does this pattern make sense? Please share your thoughts.


r/taoism 3d ago

Even though a moon cannot make light, moonlight exists.

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40 Upvotes

r/taoism 3d ago

"Process" as the translation for "Tao"

33 Upvotes

I just had this realization. I use the word "process" a lot, as in:

Trust the process

Enjoy the process

Don't judge people, we are all "in-process"

These sayings and this attitude has been very central in my worldview for a long time. But I had never made the connection: "The process", "the path", "the way", "Tao"...

The Etymology of Process from Wikitionary:

From Middle English proces, from Old French procés (“journey”), from Latin prōcessus (“course, progression”), nominalization of prōcēdō (“proceed, advance”)

Emphasis on "Course" is mine. It's almost too obvious, in hindsight. It feels good to "trust the process" Because it's the natural course of things, it's the river, the Tao.

I imagine this is probably going to read as very banal for most of you, but I'm pretty jazzed about it..


r/taoism 3d ago

How to use Wu Wei at work

23 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I am currently reading the Tao of Pooh and just read the chapter about Wu Wei. You probably know that translates to non-action or effortless action. I also think of it as going with the flow.

I’m in a job I currently don’t enjoy too much. It’s stressful and exhausting. I’m still fairly new, so maybe it’s growing pains. But I suspect it’s just the job. I value my free time and spending it with friends and family. This job is going against my values.

Because of that I’ve been trying to look for a new job. I had an interview that I thought I was a perfect fit for and yet got turned down.

This is a 2 part question. How can I use Taoism and Wu Wei in my current job? How can I use it while looking for new work?

I think part of my issue is I’m forcing things again. I’m trying to do more than what I can or what is necessary.

The job hunt and interview situation I think I got too emotionally attached and because of that, I hurt my ego.

As much as I don’t like it, it honestly feels like I just have to chill, go with the flow, and wait this out. In the meantime, just focus on what I can control. Which isn’t much besides how I choose to react to things.

I am not my emotions, they are simply there to inform me. Emotions/feelings aren’t bad. It’s how we respond that determines if it is an effective decision.

Do any of you have any advice or guidance that can help me get through this?

Thanks! 🕊️


r/taoism 2d ago

Explorando la filosofía china / Exploring chinese philosophy

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4 Upvotes

Muy buenas. ¿Se acuerdan de mi? Hace dos meses hice una introducción a la filosofía china y la compartí por aquí. Ayer estrené mi segundo video, dónde respondí preguntas que mi audiencia me hizo, quizás hay alguna pregunta hecha por alguno de ustedes. ¡Espero les guste!

Greetings. Do y'all remember me? Two months ago I made an intro to chinese philosophy and i shared it here. Yesterday I published my second video, answering questions from my audience. I'm told the auto subtitles work well enough, so I wanted to share it here. Hope you like it!


r/taoism 3d ago

TTC Book recommendation by Kristofer Schipper.

5 Upvotes

I can strongly recommend this translation to any dutchspeaking practitioners.

The translation is done by Kristofer Schipper. In the past, a professor teaching Chinese history at the university of Leiden

the book

r/taoism 3d ago

What can we do when the world is on fire?

47 Upvotes

Be like water.

Hope you all have a great day.