Category: Philosophy
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Is Taoism compatible with Western culture?
Taoism and Western culture are compatible at the margin, in areas that contest mainstream values. Why only at the margin? Because Western culture rests upon the philosophy of Aristotle (384-322 BC), which is diametrically opposed to Wu Wei and other Taoist principles. Chapter 73 of the Tao Te Ching formulates Lao-Tzu’s views on causality, which…
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Taoism in Western culture
Western culture has incorporated every element of Taoism, but it has baptised each of them differently, making them hard to recognize at first sight. Taoist ideas are known to anyone interested in productivity, personal growth, and peace of mind, but chances are that the knowledge of Taoist insights has been conveyed by teachers that never…
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Misconceptions about Chi energy and Taoism
Wouldn’t it be great if we could improve our lives by using esoteric Taoist tricks? I mean, doing a special exercise that makes us super-strong, or repeating some Tao Te Ching quote that makes us extraordinarily perceptive. Indeed, it would be great if we could achieve our goals with no effort, no investment, and no…
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What is Chi energy in Taoism?
Let me dispel right away any hope of miracles by using Chi energy, or by performing Taoist rituals. The advantages derived from Taoism come from its philosophical principles, not from mystical elements. I am afraid that, for many people, the concept of Taoism is insolubly linked to the concept of Chi energy because that’s the…
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Lao-Tzu on virtue
I can understand the bewilderment felt by many Westerners when they are first confronted with Taoist ethics. When they ask what virtues Lao-Tzu recommended, they do not expect to hear me say: Taoism is not about virtue; it is about aligning our actions with the Tao. My short answer will, of course, not suffice them.…
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How Taoism views other philosophies
It is not difficult to describe how Taoists view Confucians, Buddhists, Christians, or the adherents to any other philosophy, religion, or movement. Taoists do not place themselves higher than anyone else, nor do they devote any efforts to demonstrate that their philosophical ideas are better than anybody else’s. Nor do Taoists spend time criticising other…
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Differences between Taoism and Confucianism
I am fond of comparing the differences between Taoism and Confucianism to the differences between cats and dogs. I love dogs and cats, but I recognize their distinct traits. They respond to situations according to the nature of their species, and come what may, they will keep doing so no matter what. Taoists are like…
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The Taoist path to balance
I find it incomprehensible that people try to achieve balance in their lives by sitting on the floor and meditating for hours. I find it equally incomprehensible when someone tries to present poverty as balanced, ignorance as profound, or insouciance as insightful. Blindness, physical or spiritual, is not a popular prescription for happiness; thus, why…
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Taoism and the balance with nature
In contrast to the demanding physical and mental training shown in martial arts movies, Taoists do nothing special in real life to achieve balance with nature. By “nothing special,” I mean nothing beyond their normal lifestyle. Why not? Because Taoists view balance with nature as something that should happen automatically. Harmony and balance constitute the…
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Misconceptions about Wu Wei
When Westerners are confronted with Taoism, they react at first with surprise, then with scepticism, and finally, with total disbelief. They are particularly intrigued by Wu Wei, the non-action principle that constitutes one of the pillars of the Taoist philosophy. How can we get more things done by working less, they wonder. It is impossible…
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Recent Posts
- The cost of Taoist harmony
- Taoist harmony in the middle of chaos
- The hidden balance in Taoism
- Taoist views on balance and harmony
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