Welcome to The Lethargist Newsletter, where you will find my irreverent perspectives on religion, metaphysics, philosophy, psychology, science, and spirituality.
In my previous Posts, I covered the Zen and Dzogchen approaches to dispelling the illusion of being a separate, ego-driven self:
In my previous Posts, I covered the Zen and Dzogchen approaches to dispelling the illusion of being a separate, ego-driven self:
Japan's Zen Buddhism (known as Chan in China) emerged from a confluence of Indian Mahayana Buddhism and Chinese Taoism during the Tang dynasty in the seventh to ninth centuries CE. The Taoist philosophy has strongly shaped Zen’s teachings about and approach to enlightenment.
Dzogchen, considered to be the highest teaching of Tibetan Buddhism, also shares many parallels with Taoist philosophy, despite arising in a different cultural and religious setting. The Taoist influence likely came through its early interactions with Chan Buddhism.
In today’s Post, I’ll explore the Taoist philosophy of Laozi, and the “Path” or “Way” of the Tao.
The Origin of Taoism
The legendary ancient Chinese sage, Laozi (aka Lao Tzu), is credited for being the author of the Tao Te Ching about 2,500 years ago. It is considered to be one of the most important philosophical texts ever written. Its teachings revolve around a fundamental yet indescribable principle regarding the source of all experiential phenomena; the “Natural Way,” known as the Tao.
Taoism is a spiritual philosophy that transcends all definitions and concepts, yet it profoundly influenced both Zen Buddhism and Dzogchen. While the three traditions had different origins, they all share a similarity in their emphasis upon direct experience, spontaneity, naturalness, and the non-conceptual realization of a more awakened state of consciousness known in Buddhism as enlightenment.
The Tao Te Ching sums up non-conceptuality as: “The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao. Those who know do not speak; those who speak do not know.” This implies that a true understanding of the Tao is beyond language and the grasp of the intellect. It requires undergoing an ineffable, experiential transformation of one’s consciousness.
The Tao can only be experienced directly, and cannot be grasped by the ordinary mind, nor reduced to any spoken or written body of knowledge. Its wisdom arises through meditation, spontaneously and effortlessly. The Tao flows in accordance with its own nature, and cannot be forced or held back. It gives birth to all experiential phenomena, and the flow of our attention from one thought, emotion, or perception, to the next. Everything that we subjecively experience arises from it, and returns to it.
Wu Wei
One of Taoism’s core teachings is Wu Wei, which means “non-action” or “effortless action.” This does not suggest passivity, but rather acting in harmony with the natural flow of life. The Tao Te Ching states, “The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without striving.” By practicing Wu Wei, one becomes aligned with the Tao, allowing events to naturally unfold on their own accord, without pushing or resisting, clinging or rejecting. Some examples include:
● A river does not force its way ahead. Instead, it flows effortlessly around any obstacles that it encounters.
● A skilled martial artist moves without awkwardness, responding spontaneously, dynamically, and fluidly to their opponent’s actions.
● A wise ruler governs with minimal interference, allowing their people to mostly govern themselves.
The Tao Te Ching advocates for simplicity, stillness, and living in harmony with nature. It advises against excessive desire and the strivings that can disrupt the natural flow of things and the overall balance of life. It states, “In pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In pursuit of the Tao, every day something is dropped.” This implies that enlightenment is not about the accumulation of concepts, but rather involves letting go by releasing beliefs, concepts, attachments, and the impulse to control.
Yin and Yang
The Tao relies upon the balanced interdependency of polar opposites, known as yin and yang, which exist as a product of our linear, dualistic thought processes. The Tao takes the perspective that what we accept as our conventional reality is actually governed by the interplay of Yin, which is characterized as being passive and receptive, and Yang, which is the active and assertive counterpart.
Yin and yang are not antagonists, because both, when in balance, contribute to the stability of a greater whole. Taoism teaches that fluidly yielding, being adaptable, and having humility are strengths, not weaknesses. Examples include:
● Softness overcomes hardness, such as water eroding away rocks.
● Humility leads to greatness, as with valleys collecting the most water.
● Stillness leads to clarity, as can be seen when muddy water becomes clear when it’s left undisturbed.
The Ideal Leader
A leader who follows the Tao governs with minimal interference, trusting the innate intelligence of their people to do what is right. They allow the forces of nature to shape the environment and determine our place in the web of life and the role we play in the ecosystem. They lead by example, rather than by edict. Instead of imposing control, the wise leader allows life to flow and unfold naturally. If necessary, they may provide subtle guidance, rather than impose drastic changes.
According to the Tao Te Ching, “When the best leader’s work is done, the people say: ‘We did it ourselves.’” How does that approach compare to the behavior of some of the most powerful political leaders that we have in America today? Where is the wisdom and beneficence?
Embracing the Mystery
Religions tend to impose rigid codes of conduct that shape society for the benefit of rulers, clerics, and politicians. Religious systems pretend to have answers for all questions, thereby crippling people’s capacity for critical thinking. Rather than acting like a religion, Taoism as a philosophy embraces logical paradoxes and life's unknowable mysteries.
The teachings of Taosim can subtly impart wisdom through its apparent contradictions, and by demonstrating how opposites can contain and define each other. The Taoist view is that true wisdom comes from deep attunement to the underlying reality, not from logical analysis or dogmatic inculcations. Some of those paradoxes are: “The weak are strong. The empty is full. The still is dynamic.” As with Zen koans, they boggle the mind in order to provoke a direct realization of non-dualistic awareness; a glimpse of enlightenment.
Applications of the Tao to Modern Life
Laozi’s wisdom remains as relevant today as it was 2,500 years ago, offering a path to inner peace, balance, and being in harmony with one’s existence. Some of its suggestions for daily life include:
● Stop forcing things, and allow your life to simply unfold, naturally.
● Guide others by setting a good example yourself, rather than by trying to control them.
● Examine your deeply held beliefs, and let go of unnecessary attachments and concepts.
● Flow with the inevitable changes in your relationships, rather than trying to resist them.
● Seek simplicity in your life, and learn from your direct experiences.
May “The Way” Be With You!
Yoda, from the Star Wars film series created by George Lucas, is often seen as a representation of Taoist philosophy. “The Force” seems analogous to the Tao in the way it represents the natural order of the Star Wars universe. Yoda's teachings call for a balance between the light and dark sides of The Force, and are often delivered through cryptic sayings that reflect the Taoist approach to direct knowing through observation and personal experience.
