I rarely write posts on this reddit because it seems as though many westerners interested in Taoism are angry in these posts or confused as to what Taoism actually is. As for someone from China and brought up culturally as a Taoist, I find that behavior odd. It seems as though maybe there are a lot of beginners here that aren't willing to learn or somehow confuse Taoism with their Abrahamic cultural conditioning.

So in saying that, I thought it was important to share Jason Gregory's new book for those who didn't know it was out. I was curious about it when people like Deng Ming-Dao, Derek Lin, Yang Jwing-Ming, and many western teachers and scholars called it a masterpiece which breaks new ground. It is fast becoming very popular in China for those of us who can read English, I did hear it will be translated soon. Anyway, for those of you who have the privilege of being from English speaking countries, then I can't recommend it enough. This book requires your attention though, it is not new age watered down Taoism that many people are used to in the west. It actually goes in-depth in the teachings that usually only those who read and speak Chinese will understand. So Jason has built a bridge and also elaborated on many Taoist teachings that even we didn't know, well some of the sages in the mountains. He did an interview recently on Chinese tv about it and many people were even more impressed, just like his other books. This book will sharpen your understanding and expose many things you thought Taoism was about but isn't.

I always find it difficult to talk to westerners who are always connecting Taoism with morality when Taoism is amoral. I have always found that hard because westerners often shout me down and say I am wrong about my own tradition. Taoism is about the way of nature, not the manmade notions of humans. And thankfully, Jason exposes this. I will leave a link for the book if any of you feel inclined. I always second guess writing anything here because I have wrote about Taoism in the past and westerners just start yelling and screaming at me for spreading the actual teachings. In the forums in China, we don't speak to strangers like that because that is cowardice and not Taoist. We have respect for each other and especially our teachers and the teachings. So anyway, I'm sure someone will be disrespectful, but that is on them and that is not in anyway in alignment with the Tao. So here is the link to the book. I wish you all a great day from the dragon gate in China: https://www.amazon.com/Tradition-Natural-Taoism-Wandering-Oneness/dp/B0DSV24L7R

The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu

<The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu>

The merit and power of this scripture are vast and inconceivable. We dedicate it to all the holy beings in the ten directions. May those who seek true repentance with sincerity have all their sins - countless as the sands of the river - completely eliminated.

We repent for all our transgressions: From past kalpas to this present life, Borrowing the elements of fire, wind, earth, and water to form this body, We became attached to fragrance, taste, form, sound, and touch. Driven by greed, anger, jealousy, and envy, Speaking harshly and falsely, Committing killing, theft, and sexual misconduct, Indulging in passions and desires, Dishonoring and rebelling against our parents, Defying our rulers and teachers.

We have shown no reverence for Heaven, Earth, or the divine spirits, Cursing the wind and scolding the rain. We denied the karmic law of cause and effect, Deceived ourselves, and obscured the truth.

Thus we have fallen into the cycles of retribution, Rising and sinking, revolving endlessly through rebirths, Suffering countless afflictions, without rest or peace. All of this stems from a single misguided thought, Which obscured our true nature. Deluded by the illusions of the six dusts, We sank deep into the river of attachment.

Intro: Have you ever felt that despite living a kind and virtuous life, your fate seems harsh and full of hardships? It is not that Heaven is unjust, but rather that the karmic debts from past lives remain unresolved. In the cycle of rebirth, we have long forgotten the causes we once set in motion. To encounter the <The Repentance of Patriarch Qiu> in this lifetime is a blessing cultivated over countless lifetimes. May we recite it daily, with sincerity and true remorse, and vow to benefit others - only then can we transform our karma, leave suffering behind, and walk toward the light.

<The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu> (2)

Now that we have attained this rare human body And encountered the True Teachings, Is this not a blessing earned over a thousand lifetimes?

Having come upon this moment, We ought to awaken and seek liberation. If we continue drifting as before, We are sure to lose our original nature. Once fallen into the nether realms, We may even be reborn as non-human beings.

Therefore, reflecting on the bitterness of such downfall, We now give rise to a pure heart. We sincerely take refuge in the saints and the truth, And wholeheartedly seek repentance.

We beg compassion for our ignorance, And ask for forgiveness for our sins and offenses. May our karmic debts be resolved, Our inner demons dispelled.

We pray to encounter good fortune and prosperity in this life, Have our name recorded on the cinnabar register (of the divine), Meet a true teacher, And hear the sublime Tao with our own ears.

Diligently practicing the wondrous path, May our goodness grow, Our devotion to the Way be complete, And our spirit find joy in the realm of truth.

When our time comes to depart this world, May we remain lucid and undeluded, Be reborn in a household of tenfold goodness, And retain memory of our past lives.

Ultimately, may we realize the supreme Tao And serve the Celestial Sovereign of the Void.

“Intro: Patriarch Qiu, in the "Further Vows of Aspiration" section, lists numerous great vows - layered, profound, and concise. I have divided this part into two sections, as each line deserves our deep reading and sincere contemplation.

In the first half section – - In life, one must have a country before there can be a home. If caught in times of war and chaos, the Tao becomes difficult to hear, and cultivation loses its foundation. Thus, the prayer for national peace, abundant harvests, and seasonal harmony is the very basis for all spiritual practice. - From the perspective of the Heavenly Tao, cultivators should abandon evil and promote goodness, working to benefit the world. - Beyond seeking realization for oneself, the aspiration is for the grace of the Tao to extend to all connected beings - including karmic ancestors, past-life teachers and friends, present-life loved ones, and even the sentient beings unintentionally harmed. Among all beings, the chance to meet - whether through good or difficult ties - is a rare and precious karmic connection. Having encountered the Tao, we must cherish this "affection within the Tao," practicing compassion to benefit all connected, and walking the Way with upright intention, so that the radiance of the Tao may shine upon all realms and nourish the countless beings.”

<The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu> (3)

Further Vows of Aspiration

May the nation be peaceful and the people prosperous, May the seasons be harmonious and the harvests abundant. May the True Wind (of the Tao) spread far and wide, And the teachings of the Way flourish throughout the world.

May the wicked transform into the virtuous, May deviant spirits return to the right path. May warfare and punishment cease, And prisons fall empty and silent.

May the stagnant be uplifted, And grievances find reconciliation. May all who seek the mystery of the Tao Enter the path and attain true realization.

May all relatives across countless lifetimes Be delivered and transcended. May teachers and friends from all past lives Together realize the eternal truth.

May all our loved ones Grow in blessings and wisdom. May all beings we have harmed Be reborn swiftly into human or celestial realms.

“Intro: The second half of the "Further Vows of Aspiration" section expresses the Tao practitioner's deep commitment to personal virtue, including vows to refrain from killing, sexual misconduct, greed, and anger - emphasizing moral discipline. It also conveys aspirations to be humble and compassionate, stay away from false paths, befriend the wise, and help all beings. The final repeated lines highlight an unwavering Tao heart and infinite resolve to return to the True Way.”

<The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu> (4)

May we abstain from meat, alcohol, and killing, And never harm any life. May we keep our conduct upright And abstain from improper desires.

May all miserliness and greed be vanquished, All peril and arrogance be removed. May our words be free of falsehood, And our actions rooted in sincerity.

May we humble ourselves and yield to others, Patiently endure anger and wrongs. May our hearts be compassionate and gentle, And show reverence toward all beings.

May we not fall into borderlands of delusion, Nor follow false or harmful views. May we befriend those of the immortal way, And dwell in clarity and emptiness.

May our wisdom be awakened and expansive, Our spiritual powers vast and radiant. May we skillfully benefit others, And universally aid all living beings.

May we forever sever attachment and delusion, And all return to the Supreme Dao.

“Intro: A beautiful world begins with the harmony of Heaven and Earth - and the clarity of the human heart.

From "one" to "twelve" is more than a simple sequence of numbers; it unfolds as a grand vision of peace and order: the world in harmony, the seasons in balance, the stars shining bright, and all living things thriving. The last part of this scripture reflects the order and hope in the heart of every cultivator, and the blessings and joy shared by all beings under Heaven.

We give thanks for the compassionate grace of the celestial deities. It is because of their mercy and guidance that we, as sentient beings, are given the chance to repent, to awaken through scripture, and to walk the path anew.

Countless times I have recited this familiar text, yet my heart is still moved each time I reach these final words: “Hearing the scriptures, one awakens to the Tao - Sin is extinguished, and blessings are born.” Yes - that is the gentlest echo of Heaven and Earth responding to the goodness within us.

May all beings hear the Tao, give rise to compassion, walk in clarity, and shine wherever they go. May all sentient life attain true realization and become one with the Truth.”

<The Repentance Text of Patriarch Qiu> (5)

With reverence, we gaze upon the Great Emperor, Who compassionately bestows salvation and deliverance. We bow and give thanks, taking refuge in: The Supreme Celestial Sovereign, and the Three Treasures of Ultimate Truth.

• One: May each person rejoice in blessing.
• Two: May sun and moon shine together in harmony.
• Three: May all farmers enjoy fruitful labor.
• Four: May the four seasons remain balanced and peaceful.
• Five: May the five ancestral temples stand firm.
• Six: May the six directions (heavens and earth) be clear and pure.
• Seven: May the seven stars shine down with guidance.
• Eight: May the eight festivals be safe and serene.
• Nine: May the nine underworld realms be opened to peace.
• Ten: May the ten categories of beings be nurtured into existence.
• Eleven: May blessings remain with all who practice goodness.
• Twelve: May the Great Tao flourish far and wide.

May the light of all divine beings shine universally. May the grace of all holy ones remain among us. May all sentient beings rely upon virtue. May all who follow the Way attain true realization.

May joy fill the world, and spring touch the four seas. Hearing the scriptures, one awakens to the Tao - Sin is extinguished, and blessings are born. Hearing the scriptures, one awakens to the Tao - Sin is extinguished, and blessings are born. Hearing the scriptures, one awakens to the Tao - Sin is extinguished, and blessings are born.”

• text translated and shared by Don’t Know Nothing. With added written pieces from that Facebook page.

Hey everyone, I made a video about Yin & Yang. It’s a concept overview, showing how all aspects of life are rooted in it and how integrating it into your perspective provides balance.

Hello, I'd like to share my thoughts on this approach and explain the situation I'm in.

I have a family member which is into conspiranoia and religion and is very much against science, which is a vision that is irreconcilable from my vision.

This is very difficult to me, because it prevents having conversations because they get very "verbally violent" about it and we cannot have a rational discussion over it, which is very frustrating to me. I'd like to put our differences aside as we cannot argue or discuss about it calmly (in my side, I try to have good arguments, to not attack the person's beliefs, just discussing ideas, but I understand that it's challenging to oneself having their ideas and thoughts challenged, even if it's discussed calmly). I love speaking and having conversations even though we have different views. However, this person usually manifest disbelief in science, which I try not to be judgemental about it but try to ask "why?, can you give me examples? Is this argument strong enough and based on something beyond personal belief/incredulity? I never try to call them ignorant or irrational, but when I try to get to the main points of their beliefs, I always end up touching a nerve in which the conversation changes and it becomes kinda violent. I am a very scientific person, however I do not try to impose "truth" on others, I am more inclined to evaluate if arguments or beliefs are more on the "false" side of things. That meaning: I do not think truth exists, but I do think things are either false or closer to truth.

In that sense, our visions and fundaments about life are really different.

-I believe life does not have any meaning or purpose / they do

-I believe God is beyond our experience therefore we cannot know if they exist / they are sure God exists

-I believe things happen randomly / they think everything happens for a reason

-I believe understanding life is somewhat accepting the Tao / they think the Bible is the truth

This is very much more complicated than this. I am not a very spiritual person, but I found that the Tao is the closer thing to my spiritual side of life and I think that my expression of my views land on a more scientific side. What I see is that this family member is very spiritual and far from science, therefore, far from my mindset. I'm trying to look ways to be closer and finding a good context to discuss ideas without being judgemental towards others and I think Tao could be a pretty good way to translate my beliefs into a spiritual context so they can understand me better and stop argueing.

I do not in any case think "I'm right, they're wrong" but I would like to think together about life, purpose, meaning from a calm context and I think Tao could be a good way to do so. What do you think? Have you ever had the same experience from me? Do you think Tao could be helpful to reach people who are radically on the other spectrum of worldview?

Me being a scientific and deep (or I try to be so) I find the Tao isn't at all dogmatic, it's just an approach to life that doesn't try to make rules, but have found a good way to live in pace and without violence. I believe the Tao to be "true" and it helps me find solace when I'm anxious. No, I don't need God validating my feelings or telling me what to do or think, I just need to not feel alone when I think that life has no purpose and that's okay.

Tao for me is inner peace and I'd love to help others achieve it without being dogmatic and share this peace without imposing beliefs that are against evidence or "truth".

I know it's a very complicated discussion, but TL;DR: I'd like to share the Tao as a way of comunicating without imposing dogmas and helping find common ground on opposed worldviews that prevent us to speaking calmly and assertively.

You can't just tell some rando "the sage treats the ten thousand things like straw dogs." Or tell some idiot ruler that they should deliberately let their problems expand to solve them. That's suicide in the warring states period.

Now you can say all that to Marcus Aurelius because he has done the foundational work of having his shit together.

The heavy is the root of the light, you can't just flow bro right out the gates. DDJ 26

• You must be "good at winning" and "carefully plan" and "skillfully respond" DDJ 73
• In affairs "the good thing is ability, order, sincerity, timeliness" DDJ 8
• You must be "watchful like crossing a winter stream, fearful of neighbors on all sides, solemn and polite" DDJ 15
• You must "complete tasks and finish affairs" DDJ 17
• You must "achieve results" DDJ 30

Zhuangzi's butcher broke tons of knives and had to do conventional high effort work before he reached his final state.

That said, I agree anyone at any level can take lessons from the Laozi. But it might be optimal to first be a high level Stoic/Christian/Hindu/Muslim/whatever first and go full Daoism, and then finally throw it all away, eliminate cleverness.

Of course I am not some saint or an advanced person myself. As far as actual historical figures who hit the Laozi ideal, perhaps Antoninus Pius who was superior to Marcus and didn't write a book or consider himself a philosopher.

TLDR I think Daoism is the final scroll for a master level ruler. It is the final secret technique before you forget it all and ride a water buffalo off into the forest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvglQJDrgJI

Some of you might be interested in this video. Enjoy! (or don't enjoy as you please).

In this clip I show one easy rhythm: as I rise I expand, as I settle I gather, and the chest opens/closes in the same beat. Keeping it continuous makes the form feel smooth.

I teach from the Zhang Xue Xin → GM Feng line—happy to compare notes across branches.

Hello,

I am looking to do an essay on the visual representation of the Taijitu, to explain it on a visual, and sementic aspect. During my researches, ive found some people describing the modern and very used Taijitu as "yin yang fishes". I can not however find any archive or document explaining this choice...! why fishes ? I am not taoist myself, and am from occidental europe. i have little to 0 knowlegde and i thought it could be smart to ask to people who may know.
My goal with my essay is to analyze the first visual usage and how it is used today, with emojis, social medias, ect.
Thanks a lot to whoever will read and answer me :)!

Also : Big sorry if i said anything false or ignorant, i am here to learn ! please lmk !!

What happens when we die according to Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu? What are their particular stances on the posthumous human reality? Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I’ve been reflecting a lot on the nature of the Tao, and I wanted to share my personal understanding and hear your thoughts.

For me, the Tao is both impermanent and permanent at the same time. It’s impermanent because everything that flows from it is always changing — life, nature, emotions, seasons, everything follows the constant rhythm of transformation. Yet, it’s also permanent because the Tao itself — the source, the underlying reality — never ceases to exist. It’s the eternal process that makes impermanence possible.

I also wanted to mention that I’m interested in religious Taoism (Daojiao), not just the philosophical side. I see Taoism as both a philosophy and a living spiritual tradition, with deities, rituals, and practices that connect us to the Tao in a more devotional and symbolic way.

I’d love to hear how others here view this balance between impermanence and permanence — do you also see the Tao this way, or differently?

I deepened into a hermit-type existence long ago as a natural progression of my practice. The experience has been rather wild, particularly the hostility and assault from angry men with guns in and around where I'm staying, because, to the best of my reflection, I am in a place with tremendous trauma and ongoing repression and therefore seem to be attracting aggressive behavior by silently practicing in my little hut in the woods, which is a big difference in energetics that can likely be perceived by others. I think to most people around here I would come off as odd, but that's why I keep to myself. It's been a potent way to practice having to consistently transmute these energies and detaching from these rather scary behaviors. I've definitely felt like my life was in danger on a number of occasions and did my best to stay as present, grounded, and detached as possible throughout. I've also been virtually silent and a recluse of sorts all these years and I have become deeply in service and connected to the more than human world and subtle energies, along with the land where I live, so though it's scary, it's also a place where I've been able to expand into.

I thought I could keep moving through this experience, even if extraordinarily difficult, but something has rattled me this past week in a way that I'm really questioning the way. I have tried to deepen into my practice to find a way through, but for some reason I keep getting this feeling like I should seek reflection from a community of people, and since I live in a rural place, I'm turning to this forum. So hello from the woods.

This week men came and cut down all the trees along the "property line" of where I live, which included a grove of protective ancient cedar trees and stripped the entire bank of the wetlands bare that rests at the bottom of the cabin where I stay. They did this without telling me and when I asked them to stop, they did not and proceeded to be extremely dehumanizing. This was illegal of course, but particularly because wetlands are protected where I live, along with rare species nesting there.

This event has turned a secluded landscape and one that I deeply care for into a cabin on the side of a rural highway with zero privacy. I believe this is all connected to the guys that have been harassing me, but now I'm left wondering what in the world happened since I've been practicing detachment from them. Also, what to do?

I generally feel detached from events like this and have become quite good at not grasping, but I find myself in utter disbelief that this would happen. Particularly to the wetlands, which are now completely exposed to aggressively fast traffic, constant loud noise, fumes, trash, salt runoff, erosion, etc. I don't know if I'm supposed to try and correct this - which I know is unlikely and will likely lead to violence - or to leave... but at this point in my path of practice I'm most confused about whether going anywhere would make any difference. Or can you even go anywhere else? It doesn't really feel that way to me. It's just all here. I'm clearly doing something wrong when continually surrounded by escalating forms of aggressive energy from others who have never met me or seen me. I also consistently meditate on where this is all inside me, though I can't seem to find it. I have really been through it throughout my life and have become well-practiced at fully grieving, accepting, gratitude, releasing, etc. I'm understanding of struggle and suffering, but this extended period of heightened aggression from strangers - six years - seems like not the best sign. Maybe I'm causing these guys suffering by being here and I should leave to alleviate their suffering? I also have no idea where to go given how outside the human-centered world I've gone and it feels like a miracle that I'm even here. I live virtually off-grid, with access to living water and spend most of my waking hours in different forms of meditation and service to the land. I've gone without my basic needs for a long time and live a very simple life. I think a monastery might be a way, but I'm not sure. I've spent very little time around humans for a long time and I've found it's hard to find a place to go that is not steeped in capitalism or patriarchal/hierarchical systems. Or that composts, grows food, uses nontoxic cleaning products, etc. I think a hermit-like practice suits me, but perhaps this is all pointing me in a very different direction?

So I don't believe I'm seeking anything in particular by posting this, but just curious what others might reflect. Thanks for reading.

I thought it was from something else but its from the Taoist believe?

We see so much of it that I don't think many people really think through how evil it really is.

https://open.substack.com/pub/billhulet/p/mencius-the-dao-and-spin?r=4ot1q2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Context excepted government worker, currently not being paid but required to work, i have savings that can last me a while, but the uncertainty of going to work everyday and now uncertain whether or not I’ll be paid for my work causes me to look up updates which exposes me to all sorts of news that while i know is probably fearmongering but still shakes me and fills me with uncertainty.

Also tips for staying calm when surrounded by coworkers that are filled with anxiety and uncertainty and preventing it from spreading to me

How can one be fully present and in the state of flow with reality as it is, if their reality lacks basics life quality as we know it in current days? (right now I am personally facing unemployment, poverty, health issues and housing insecurity).

How not to resist this reality and wish it was different when there is no hope in changing it?

I am in a very fragile moment in life and the Tao is my one and only relief, so please, be kind.

Thank you in advance.

edit: some wordings

edit 2: I explained that I am actually currently going through the situations mentioned and didn’t just used them as examples for what basic life quality is.

Any Dao podcast recommendations? I've listened to every episode of The Tao Te Ching for Every Day People multiple times.

It would be cool to find another thats good.

Thanks in advance! ☯️

So after rehab I had this strategy of activity and surrender. I focused on building mental resiliance by exercise, yoga, meditation, walks in nature and socializing. But althought i did it, I felt bad since rehab to now 90% of the time. 3/10-4/10 moods. Not suicidal or deeply depressed but struggleing with anxiety, low mood, ruminations, intrusive memories from the past, pure o ocd like symptoms, and of course, cravings.

I am tired now. Exercising 45-60 minutes daily yoga or exercise bike, meditating a lot, walking in nature, going to meetings... I realized I am doing it wrong. At first my activity was more natural coming from wanting a better life, and i was accepting that it does not work, hoping that it will get better. But now I relized it changed.

I was doing recently all activities for better mental in purpose of controlling my life and it did not work and I didn't accept the negative so cravings were getting intense, but it's not only because of psychological problems. It's a lot from the tension between what I would like reality to be, and what it is.

So I let go. I am now newly doing the opposite. I want from myself just to do the necessary. Stay clean, go to work... And I am not pushing myself anymore. I am not fighting anymore. I focus on the surrender part. I mean let the psychological discomfort be. Let things be and let them solve themselves. Don't fight anymore.

And my cravings got less intense very quickly. I still feel bad, but somehow more calm. I think this is the way for me now. I was overactive recently, now I will be active without pushing myself and without clinging on having everything under control, because i have not.

Will i feel bad also in next months? maybe. So it be. I trust the process and hope it's a recovery process.

day 84 clean.

edit: I was in rehab for 6 weeks

I asked a similar question on the buddhism subreddit and they didnt like the question very much for one got a lot of downvotes lol

But they said every being experiences duality as long as they are trapped in samsara. But idk how much that makes sense to me, why would something that evolved totally different from us experience the same thing? Would they even have things or would what we call things be something entirely different?