- Dao is the idea of a principle that underlies all things. Theories of the Dao are therefore attempts to understand our world as a whole. To paraphrase its question: How can this world with its many appearances, such as forests, rivers, lakes and mountains or animals, settlements, villages and mega-cities… how can all these phenomena that are challenged by natural catastrophes, violence, and wars, be understood so that we do not lose ourselves, but find our place in the cosmos?
- Daosim seems to serve a Western romanticism, an admiration for the harmony between humans and nature as a whole. However, how often does somebody point to the moon, but instead of perceiving the higher meaning, he either looks at the finger or the person who is pointing? He, who looks at the finger of someone pointing at the moon, will not see the moon. He, who looks at words, doesn’t see their meaning and he, who looks at meanings will not look at what is. This is a common problem in Daoism.
- Daoism is therefore not another romantic wholism serving our wellnessindustry. Instead of romantic stoicism, Daoism rather cultivates our personal spirit by teaching concentration and self-control in regard to the nothing that is. It brings us to a “system of internal circulation and rejuvenation”. It also teaches the ethical dimension of “self-subordination and frugality”. It questions our self-defeating behaviors such as aggrandizement and childish gigantomania. In the end, it attempts to fulfill the demands of an existing nothingness and an existence that vanishes into nothing.
Quotes
“Man suffers only because he takes seriously what the gods made for fun.” ― Alan Wilson Watts [[Daoism]]
“To understand the limitation of things, desire them.” ― Lao Tzu, [Tao Te Ching] [[Life]] [[Daoism]]
Video Recommendations
I do think that the following vides give the best and most comprehensive introductions into Daoism.
1. Taoism the Art of Effortless living
2. An animated introduction to Yin and Yang
3. An interesting discussion at the BBC