Foundations of Taoist Practice

Foundations of Taoist Practice

     Taoism can be difficult to define, but it is seen as an ancient Chinese religion and philosophy that sets out to achieve unity with Nature and the universe, by reaching a sense of peace and emptiness, while at the same time gaining immortality. This "peace", called Wu Ji, is achieved through a disciplinary life that achieves balance with Yin and Yang (two polar opposites of nature) and harmony with the five phases (earth, fire, water, wood, and metal). These phases are what make up the world, and by harmonizing with them and achieving peace, one will get immortality. If the balance between any of these elements is disrupted, then change comes, such as bad weather or severe fluctuations in the stock market. To achieve peace, one must make the reversal process of the San Bao, or Three Treasures. The three treasures are the jing, Qi, and shen. Jing refers to the physical body, Qi refers to a type of energy that is circulated throughout our entire body, and shen refers to spirit and the mind. According to the beliefs, the universe was at first complete emptiness, or sheng, which then transformed itself into the energy Qi, which gave life to jing. In order to achieve peace with the universe, one must make the reversal process from jing to Qi to sheng. This reversal process can be made through various practices of good health (which corresponds to Chinese medicine, diet, and even military strategy and marital arts) and various rituals (which include magical rituals, as well as divination and geomancy, and astrology). The basis of the Taoist belief, the only way to achieve true meaning in life (which also corresponds to the other beliefs) is through meditation.

    

This book focuses on an ancient Chinese belief that some people still believe in today. Although not a major religion, several other groups, like Buddhist, also seek harmony with nature and believe in the supernatural energy Qi. The book even answers my essential question in the beginning, "Thus, the Taoist arts have become divorced and isolated from the trunk and roots of Taoism. Moreover, most of the arts have become secularized. Clinically, Chinese medicine in modern practice is usually applied more to remedial care than to 

promoting spiritual super-wellness. Meditation has become largely a stress management tool. Chinese astrology, divination and geomancy are nowadays used more for gaining success in business, romance and home siting than for achieving spiritual breakthrough. Contemporary people more often study Qi Gong and the martial arts for health, fitness and personal power than for laying the groundwork of immortality." (page 2). This answers what some people think about magic today, as a way of bettering their lives by superstition, rather than to gain immortality and inner peace, like the Chinese did. Many people today even see the Chinese remedy acupuncture to be a placebo, as it focuses on enhancing the "energy levels" to reduce stress and pain.

The questions I have after reading this book are, are there any modern Taoists today? The first ones appeared in Chine about 4600 years ago, but are there still many followers? Also, several other religions and philosophies, like Buddhism, that appeared many years later seem to have adapted several Taoist ideas, is there some sort of relation? However, this could also be said about several beliefs of Christianity and the beliefs of the Native Americans.