TEACHING IN TAOISM

Anyone may benefit from the simplicity of Taoism in today's never-ending world. This
way of thinking is more than just an obscure ancient Chinese philosophy, and
anyone can understand some of its core principles by reading a few quotes from the
Dao De Jing, one of Taoism's most important texts. This knowledge establishes a
straightforward basis for achieving peace, making life a little simpler.

Laozi, who was the philosophy who lived during the 5th or 4th century BCE
describes how to behave in accordance with the alternating cycles of nature in his
most popular set of lessons, the Dao De Jing, in other words, how to “go with the
flow.” Looking at a few key quotes from the book shows a wealth of knowledge about
how to best handle life.

There are four main teaching in Taoism:

1. Simplicity, patience, and compassion.

“Simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with
both friends and enemies, you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself, you reconcile all beings in the world.”

In this teaching, it shown that life can quickly get complicated, but often all we
need to do is return to the basics. These guidelines present critical rules for
managing acts, relationships, and self-worth in a few, succinct sentences
when you are feeling overwhelmed.

2. Going with the flow.

“When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.”

This quotation elucidates the principle of wu wei, or natural non-intervention.

Rather than battling the circumstances in our lives, we should let them take
their normal course in life. When you do not know what to do, this may also
mean doing nothing. Instead, seize opportunities only when you are ready.
 3. Letting go.
“If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to.
If you are not afraid of dying, there is nothing you cannot achieve.”

Many Eastern philosophies remind us that transition and death are the only
real constants in existence. Accepting these facts of life, while not easy, will
relieve you of a lot of pain and give you more freedom in life. It's important to
remember to let go and let life take its course.

4. Harmony
“Tao engenders One; One engenders Two; Two engenders Three; Three
engenders all things. All things carry the yin (femininity) while embrace the
yang (masculinity). Neutralizing energy brings them into harmony.”

Yin and yang are the Chinese term that defines nature as having two
opposing, complementary, and interdependent powers. To put it another way,
two halves balancing each other to form a whole. Yin and yang are still in
motion and shift with the passage of time. One factor grows while the other
shrinks, and this pattern can be seen in nature. The night transforms into the
day. The planet meets the sky.

Examining and comprehending these trends in ourselves and those around us leads
to greater life balance. An individual who becomes too rigid, for example, can crack
under pressure. Instead, they can become softer and more flexible in order to restore
yin and yang stability.
BELIEFS IN TAOISM

It is basic for all religion and culture that we all have beliefs in anything. Taoism is a
philosophical and theological tradition that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and
worldview. The following are the top ten Taoist principles and beliefs.

1. Humanity.
Taoism's main emphasis is on man's spiritual life, in which his humanity is
compared to a bamboo stick, which is straight and plain by design but has a
hollow core that yearns to be filled, but is versatile enough to conquer
resistance and withstand natural forces.

2. Yin and yang.

The intrinsic energy of chi, the life-giving power derived from the dynamic
interchange of polar forces yin and yang, is a fundamental belief of Taoist
teachings. The flow of chi is thought to be an important part of life's flow or
continuity, since it is said to help and offer wealth, good fortune, and health,
while also blocking illness, disputes, and difficulties. Most Taoists believe that
using a mixture of Taoist philosophy and an active expression of Chinese
spirituality, the steady flow of chi ensures the wellbeing of individuals and the
world around them. Like any action produces a counter-action, the results of
Tao (the way) generate the root by creating duality, which is yin and yang,
light and shadow. It is an inevitable and normal movement.

3. Man’s will.
In Taoism, man's will be not seen as the root issue. Rather, it is thought that
man must align his will with that of the natural world. According to Taoist
philosophy, the universe already operates in harmony in its own way, but if an
individual doing his will against the environment, he will disturb the already
existing harmony, so he should go with the flow of life.

4. Three jewels of Tao

The first jewels are goodness, compassion, and love. Next is frugality,
simplicity, and moderation. Last but not least, modesty and humility.
5. Five basics movement.
Matter and energy are thought to be regulated by five fundamental motions in
traditional Taoism. Over the course of a year, the intensity and effect of these
movements wax and wane, with wood peaking in the spring, fire in the
summer, metal in the fall, water in the winter, and finally the earth asserting its
existence most forcefully at the beginning of each season.

6. Belief in deity.
Taoists believe that the supreme being (ultimate truth) is beyond words or any
conceptual understanding but they name it’s as the Tao or the Way. The
power of this way is referred as the Te. These Tao and Te are the central
concepts of Taoism. Tao is described as the divine way of the universe. Te is
the power of Tao and it is the power to bring Tao into realization. It includes
the belief that human interference can be damaging.

7. Incarnation and death.

Taoists claim that God does not resemble a person and that death has no
special significance for them. Humans should consider life and death as
complementary and essential aspects of the Tao or the Way, according to
Taoism. Death is not to be dreaded, but it is not to be wished either. In
Taoism, life and death are like yin and yang, or being and non-being.

8. Good and evil.

In Taoism, good and evil do not have a distinct position. Rather, all dualities
are interdependent, according to Taoists. To grasp the idea of good and evil
in the way that Taoists do, one must be able to distinguish between the
"concept" of evil and the "truth" of evil. Taoists assume that when something
is labelled as good, it is immediately labelled as bad. Every behavior is bound
to have some yin (negative aspects) and some yang (positive aspects).
9. Salvation.
Taoists do not believe in salvation and do not follow any kind of salvation.
They claim that there is nothing from which one should be saved, and that
believing in redemption involves believing in damnation, just as believing in
good involves believing in bad. They conclude that seeking material riches or
reputation in general can lead to a happy life.

10. Immortals.
The Immortals, or Xian as they are called in Chinese, are granted primary
importance among all spiritual beings. These ideal beings are said to live far
away in an untroubled environment, where they have an easy life, according
to the Chuang-Tzu. They are said to be ageless, eat only air, drink only mist,
and enjoy the power of flight. The Eight Immortals, who are said to have been
born during the Tang Dynasty, are said to revere these strong beings.
PRACTICES IN TAOISM

In this world that full of culture, religion and traditional method, we all know what the
best practice that we can follow and we can deny. Plus, we must respect all practice
whether we could not follow it. All culture, religion and races have their own practices
in this earth. Taoism is one of it.

Taoism recognizes that physical acts have a metaphysical impact and it does not
create a strict distinction between body and spirit. There are a few practices that we
can follow.

1. Purity.
Taoist scriptures emphasize the importance of maintaining physical purity in
order to maintain spiritual wellbeing. An individual must avoid certain activities
and foods in order to remain pure. Greed, lust, vanity, and dishonesty are only
a few examples of things to avoid.

2. Meditation.
Many Taoists believe in the importance of meditation. In different temples,
complex meditation practices are performed. One of the most important
purposes of meditation is to achieve mental stillness and improve
mindfulness. This will provide mental space for an individual to directly
experience the Tao.

3. Breathing.
Breath is the most easily perceived type of ch'i, and Taoist breathing
exercises are plentiful. Qui Gong is a Taoist breathing method that they called
(qigong).

4. Energy flow.
Exercise, meditation, and therapies like acupuncture and moxibustion can all
help to improve, control, and harmonies the flow of life energy (ch'i) within the
body.
 5. Material arts.
Chang San-Feng (Zhang Sanfeng) developed Taoist exercises that became
Tai Chi (taiji) (1127-1279 CE). Modern Tai Chi activities are more likely to be
secular than Taoist rituals.

6. Diet.
Staying away from alcohol, meat, beans, and grains is recommended by
traditional Taoist teaching.

Best practices of positive input will help a lot of people to have a good life. Plus,
practices from Taoism is very healthy and we can use it in our normal life to get
better experience for knowing another culture.
 References

Allison Michelle Dienstman (2018) “These 4 Teachings of Daoism Will Help You
Navigate Life” – Retrieved from https://www.goodnet.org/articles/these-4-teachings-
daoism-will-help-you-navigate-life

BBC (2019) “Best practice of Taoism” – Retrieved from

https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/taoism/practices/physical.shtml

Mystical Bee (2021) “10 Beliefs of Taoism Religion” – Retrieved from

https://mysticalbee.com/beliefs-of-taoism-religion/