TAO

BY:GLADYS JANE S. LAGURA

The Tao| Understanding The Tao
• The word Tao (pronounced dau) in Chinese means “way,”
indicating a path of thought or life that is the essential
unifying force of everything that exists in the universe. The
person who is a believer in “The Way” (the Dao) is called a
daoist. The daoist believes that life is generally happy but
that it should be lived with balance and virtue (“being
good”.)
• The Tao-te Ching is the earliest document in the history of
Taoism. It is a viewpoint that emphasizes individuality,
freedom, simplicity, mysticism, and naturalness.
• Tao-te Ching literally means “The Classic of the Way and Its Power.”
• Authorship of the Tao-te Ching is generally credited to a man named
Lao-Tzu but knowledge of him is so scarce that only legends remain.
Seeking to learn more about Lao-Tzu only distracts us from his
teachings. His name itself, means “old master” or “wise sage” –
which only leads back to his writings.
• The Tao is all encompassing. Despite the appearance of differences in
the world, within the Tao everything is one. Since all is one, matters
of true and false or good and evil are irrelevant and only arise when
people cannot see beyond their narrow perception of reality.
• The Tao is considered unnamed and unknowable. Followers of the
Tao avoid wasting their energies on the pursuit of wealth, power,
knowledge and other distractions. Instead, they concentrate on the
reality of life itself of breathing, moving and living in harmony with
the natural world. Because all is considered one, life and death merge
into each other and immortality can be achieved.
♥ Living the Way of the Tao can be
expressed by the term wu-wei which
means doing – not doing. This concept
does not signify non-action, instead it
hints at action without attachment to the
action, action without thought of the
action.
♥ The power of the Tao is in simplicity, and
yet it teaches one to become a master of
all things by learning to go with the
natural flow of the universe. Trying to
walk upstream against the river is
pointless. It is better to accept that
change is inevitable, learn to embrace it
and make the most of it when it comes.
 The fundamental teachings of the Tao present
basic wisdom to live by. They are as follows:
• Be Careful:-
-As if you were crossing a stream that is covered with a layer of ice. Stepping too hard on the wrong
spot can lead to misfortune.
• Be Alert:–
As if you were a warrior entering enemy territory. Spies and traps may be hidden anywhere. Pay
attention.
• Be Courteous:-
As if you were a guest. There is no reason for anger or hostility; it only clouds your judgment.
• Be Fluid:-
As if you were melting ice. Always ready to act or react as the situation or need demands.
• Be Shapeable:-
-As a block of wood. The shape is pre-existing, allow yourself to be carved.
• Be Receptive:–
As a mountain valley. Water flows down the mountain. Let things come to you. Be patient, warm and
inviting.
• Be Clear:–
As a glass of water. Allow the mud of the mind to settle and see things as they truly are.
Absolute happiness comes from erasing the
distinctions that separate the self and the
universe. Union with the Tao is embracing a
higher wisdom, freeing the mind and
expanding into the fullness of existence.