Andrew Karanikolis

HPR 412

April 8th, 2010

Taoism Response Paper

Huston Smiths representation of Taoism in The Illustrated World Religions is as enigmatic as it is accurate. Taoism is a system of beliefs with origins in ancient (approximately 604 B.C.) China, where a sage named Lao Tzu is purported to have written a body of work known as Tao Te Ching, or The Way and Its Power. Lao Tzu wrote that The Way (Tao) can be understood in three aspects: The Way of Ultimate Reality, The Way of the Universe, and The Way of Human Life. The Way of Ultimate Reality transcends the physical plane and speaks to what Westerners might consider the divine, except that it is all-encompassing and is hardly perceivable, let alone definable, by man. The Way of the Universe seeks to explain natural phenomena, and describes the Universe as being more spirit than matter. This spirit of the Universe, Lao Tzu teaches, is inexhaustible, cyclical, and benign. This notion is remarkably similar to modern physics law of the conservation of energy, especially considering that it was conceived twenty-three centuries prior to Newtonian discoveries. The Way of Human Life is a prescription for how to live ones life in harmony with the spirit of the Universe, and even gain mastery over its power. Lao Tzus message of self-empowerment in The Way of Human Life spawned many traditions and practices that sought to conserve and even tap into the spirit of the Universe (chi). Philosophical Taoism emphasizes conserving chi through Wu Wei, which is understood to mean efficiency of action through minimal friction. According to Smith, Wu Wei is both supreme activity and supreme relaxation, a paradox that reflects the relationship of opposites (yin and yang) in Taoism. This relationship also applies to

Andrew Karanikolis

HPR 412

April 8th, 2010

values, which Taoists believe are relative, as illustrated by the parable of the farmer who, after losing his horse received sympathy from his neighbors to which he replied Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows? His position of uncertainty is later justified when the horse returns with a herd of wild horses in tow, one of which his son tries to ride only to break his leg which in turn allows him to avoid conscription in the imperial army, etc. This story does an excellent job of encapsulating Philosophical Taoisms belief in the transience and relativity of human experience in comparison to the grand scheme of nature. The freedom from unnecessary worry and grief that far-sighted wisdom affords a student of Philosophical Taoism goes a long way in conserving his or her chi. Tao Te Ching also warns against over-gratification of the ego, and the utterly wasteful conflicts produced by competition. Lao Tzus ideas on personal and social harmony share significant similarities with the teachings of both Confucius and Buddha; these overlaps are recognized and indeed celebrated in many Asian cultures. Vitalizing Taoism is not satisfied with merely conserving our natural levels of chi, but rather expanding our daily allotments through practices of mind, matter, and movement. Vitalization of the mind is achieved with focused meditation and yogic Taoism, which is perhaps where Taoism and Buddhism intersect the most. To maximize chi in the body, some Taoists engage in specialized breathing exercises, as well as encourage the consumption of certain foods and elixirs. Finally, one can pursue vitalization through traditional movements, including: Tai-chi chuan and acupuncture. The health benefits of some of these practices are undisputed, while others are perhaps of a more psycho-somatic nature. Regardless, the long-term influence of both

Andrew Karanikolis

HPR 412

April 8th, 2010

Philosophical and Vitalizing Taoism on Asian culture is evidenced by its third form: Religious Taoism. Religious Taoism could be described as a blending of the wisdom teachings of Philosophical Taoism with the chi-fostering applications of Vitalizing Taoism. Not everyone can walk the ascetic or contemplative path, thus Religious Taoism institutionalized the shamans, mystics, and psychics whose role was to disseminate chi to the laypeople. This notion of select individuals who alone are privy to the mysteries and energies of the Universe more closely resembles the Catholic Church than Lao Tzus message of personalized empowerment and universal harmony. Religious Taoism also saw the deification of Lao Tzu and many Chinese emperors. In this fashion, Religious Taoism was used by the political authority of the time (as most religions are) to reinforce the social hierarchy and necessity of political institutions. Though Taoism may have been used to control the uneducated masses in Imperial China, this should not detract from its rich philosophy or lead one to dismiss its cultural impact. In modern China for example, elements from all three of Taoisms manifestations are practiced simultaneously. And in the tapestry of Chinese spirituality and ethics, Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism are interwoven. Personally I find the Religion of Taoism no more convincing or enlightened than the Christian dogmas I grew up with, but the words of the mortal man who first conceived its core philosophy moved me greatly. I have always felt that if a higher power were to exist, it could not possibly be limited to the petty human notions that divide us. Hence the all-encompassing vision of the Tao and its unique characteristic of translating well into modern science (astrophysicists are beginning to see that a great deal of the Universe is in fact made up

Andrew Karanikolis

HPR 412

April 8th, 2010

of energy, dark energy, and other cosmic forces) are very attractive to me. Additionally, the mental and bodily health benefits of meditation, yogic Taoism, and Taichi chuan are fascinating to me, and I intend on exploring them at my own pace. Taoisms promotion of pacifism, moderation of the ego and vice, and acceptance of death as a natural part of life are timeless virtues that are still greatly lacking in our society two and a half millennia after Lao Tzu first enumerated them. Therefore I believe that as China teaches the philosophy of Tao to its children in school, so should we, in the hopes that we might find harmony with each other and the environment as Lao Tzu did.