TAOISMAFRIENDLYBEGINNERSGUIDEONTAOISMANDTAOISTBELIEFS

JordanJacobsRelentlessProgressPublishing

©2015

TABLEOFCONTENTS

IntroductionAwakeningtheTaoinyourlifeDoctrinesofTaoismTaoism:AdeeperinsightTaoisminpresentdayMindfulnessandTaoismTaoismforleadershipEmbracingTaoismTaoisminpsychotherapyThelifeofaTaoInvincibleTaoismTaoismasseenbyLaoTzuConclusionThankYou

INTRODUCTIONDepression is a state of low self-confidence, a negative phase whereopportunitiesseetodisappear.Humanbeingsarevibrantspecies.Ittakesalottodamage the confidence of a person. Usually, depression occurs due to acombination of multiple vectors that make a person feel negative about life.Severalstepsarerequiredtocombatthispessimism.

For instance, consider a statement, ‘I suffer from depression.’ Suffer is anappropriatetermtodescribethismentalstate,aswhenyouareamidstnegativethoughts,itactsasaperfecttooltoexploityourmind.Considerthestatement:‘Idon’tsufferfromdepression.”Taoismteachesustoaccepteverythinginlifetoavoiddepression.Youembracethesufferinglightly,understandtheissue,acceptitandchangeaccordinglytoleadlifepositively.Overall,youlearnhowtoyouuseyoursufferingtohelpratherthanactasalimitationorafactortopullyoudown.

Fortunately, Taoism mitigates the effects of depression and anxiety. It is adynamic phenomenon of practice, actions, exercises, nutritional health, livingconditions,philosophyandchangestolifestyletoleadabalancedlife.Taoismisa way of life that helps rediscover you. Students of this Chinese philosophyunderstand the possibility of cosmic harmony and the the prize of non-action,naturalnessandinwardness.

In this age of prompt answers, it is normal to see people become depressed,whentheydon’tfindinstantanswerstoresolvetheirproblems.Rather,youmustgive time to thesoul to rebuildandexplorenewdirections.Loveandpatiencework through such hard times. Patience can combine answers to tackledepression,andfindanotherpathofsurvival.

When you experience true happiness, you get the strength to deal with thesetbacks of life and lead a fulfilling life without the demons of anxiety anddepressionpullingyoutowardshelplessness,fear,uncertaintyandnegativity.

Ifyouarenew to thephilosophyofTaoism,youare at the rightplace.AlongwithabriefhistoryofLaoTzu, theproponentofTaoism, thiseBooktellsyouaboutthegeneralphilosophyoftheTao,itsvariedfacetsanditsrelevanceinthemodernworld.Thisbookisalsoforthetraditionalcynicswhobelievetheworstofanyindividual.YouwillbeenlightenedwiththeTaoistbeliefsandembraceitbringingonpersonalhappinessandenhancingtheworldaroundyou.Astream

of optimism flows and with the principles of Taoism, you can modify otherpeople’sperspectivesinsteadofobstructingthem.

AWAKENINGTHETAOINYOUPeoplefeelisthereaneedtodiscussaboutTaoism.Therearecountlessbeliefsand practices that help people explore answers and attain happiness andprosperity ranging from the Zen philosophy of rational thinking to theoriespostulated byPlato andSocrates to themodernmind control theory byDavidFosterWallace.ItisdifficulttoimaginehowTaoismalonecanbringhappinessandcontentmentinyourlife.

Taoisamultifaceteduniversethatcanbeexperiencedeachmoment.Itsproperapplicationhelpsapersontoleadahealthyandprosperouslife.InnerPeaceisquitesimpletofind.Thepathapersontakestodiscoverinnerpeaceisassimpleor hard as the process of self-acceptance he opts. Inner Peace means theacceptanceoflifeasananswertothequestionraisedbytheInnerTruth.

UNDERSTANDINGTHETAOPHILOSOPHYAnancientChinesepracticedated2500years ago;Taoism isyet tobecomeaglobalphenomenon.ThephilosophyofTaowasfoundbyLao-Tzu.Ithasbeenregarded as the indigenous religion of ancient China. It promotes variousmethodstoenhancehealthandlongevity.

It integrates principles of cosmic and social harmony, of longevity techniquesandhealthpractices, andmeditation techniques for spiritual enhancement.Theobjectiveistocreatehealthyandempoweredindividuals,environmentalpeace,universal harmonyand social cohesion.Ancient scriptures and textswritten inChinese languageare informativesources. Becauseof this, there isaminimalunderstandingofTaoistprinciples.

Lao Tzu never intended to develop Taoism as a religion. Zhuangzi, aphilosopherandhissuccessor,wrotethe‘BookofZhuangzi’,whichisreferredto acquire information on Taoism. Zhang Taoling transformed the spiritualpracticeintoareligionin143BC.

PeopleareunabletoperceivetheconceptofTao,asthephilosophyexceedsthethoughts, senses and imagination; itmay be known throughmysticism. It is auniversaldrivingforceofthenature,thewayoflife,andtheinexhaustiblespirit.Itisawayoflifethatpeopleshouldpracticeharmonizingwiththeuniverse.

Although,Taohas ineffablequalities, anybodycanpractice its principles.TheTaohighlightsthefundamentalessenceoftheuniverse.InTaoTeChing,Lao-TzuexplainsaboutTaobeingtheuniversalnaturalorder;itisdifficulttorestricttheultimateessenceoftheuniversalorderasitisnonconceptual.PhilosophersinEastAsiawroteontheimportanceofadheringandconsequencesoffailingtoabidebytheprinciplesofTaoism.InreligiousTaoismandConfucianism,thereare moral arguments on proper behavior, while philosophical principles ofTaoismrefer to theoutcomesofyourdeeds (karma).The intrinsic relationshipwith yang and yin is evident, where counter-actions of every action areunavoidable, and practices involve acceptance, conformity, andmoving aheadwiththenaturalconsequences.Theconceptdiffersfromthewesternontology;itisaholisticperception,ratherthanbeingatomisticandstatic.

The inception of Taoist philosophy was based on the natural observations.Philosophersbelievedeverythinghasacomplementaryopposite.Moreover,theysaid everything canbeunderstoodonlyby comparing itwith its opposite.For

instance,dayisdayonlywhencomparedtonight,coldiscoldwhencomparedto heat, andmany such observations in nature. An in-depth analysis of theseobservations concluded that such relationships appear as flux; day graduallybecomesnightandagainbecomesday.

Thus,everythingisinterdependent.Throughsuchobservationsofnature,Taoistsrealizedthemeaningoflifeandtheimportanceofourlifeintheuniverse.Thisprincipleisthefoundationofthephilosophy.Taoistphilosophersobservedthateveryincidentinnatureiseffortless.Itdoesnotmeanthatpeoplegeteverythingwithoutstruggle,buttheeventshappenwithoutpremeditation.

Assumeaplant’slife.Aseedfallsontheground.Afertilesoil,light,warmth,andwaterhelpitbecomeaseedling.Itdoesnotknowhowtogetnutritionfromthe roots or photosynthesize light and mature as a plant. The plant developsnaturallywithoutanyexternalknowledge.TheconceptofTaoasks:whydoeslife differ for people? Why don’t people allow situations to unravel, as theyshouldratherthanmanipulatingothersandorchestratingevents?

APROFOUNDMYSTERY

Consciousnessusuallyshiftsfromthecontractedemotionsofanger,hurt,orfearto expanded emotional states of joy and peace instantly. Spiritual awakeningrefers toadramaticexpansion inconsciousness rather thanaminor realizationaboutoneself.Onthecontrary,enlightenmentmaybeatooltodenoteacertainlevel of self-realization or awakening, even though the exact term differsdependsonthepersonusingtheword.Thesignificantmatteriswhatyoursenseof awareness is doing right now.Does your consciousness appear as usual orshift at that particular moment. Do you realize the essence of the currentexperience?Or,doyourestrict theawarenesswithidentificationandthoughts?Do you experience any kind of shift in your consciousnesswhile reading thispart?

Tounderstandenlightenmentoneneedstoexploretheconceptdeeply.Onecandefine the term based on the real experience of the transitions in your ownconsciousness.Justasitisrefreshingtosmellaflowerthanreadingaboutit,itisenriching to explore the shifts of your awareness than merely trying tounderstandtheseconceptsmentally.Whilespecificdefinitionscanbeuseful, itisalsobeneficialnottoindulgeinseveralconceptsthatcouldhampertheactualexperience. The good thing is that language does not define the process ofspiritual enfoldment. The best way to define enlightenment is no definition.Whatyoufindinyouractualexperiencesisyourtruemomentofself-awareness.Amiddlepathexistsbetweenthedenialofaspiritualpracticeandtheunrealisticexpectations of causing self-awareness through meditation, self-inquiry, ordevotionalrituals.Wemayexperimentwithsuchprocesses,justlikeagardenerexperimentswithvariedfertilizerstopatientlywaitfortheoutcome.Ultimately,everythingdependsongrace.TaoisnotGod.Itisanomnipotentforcethatflowsacross the world affecting us sub-consciously. The awakening of Tao meanslivinggracefully.Thegrowthofself-consciousnessisunique,andallofuswishtoexploretheprocessunfolduniquelyatthistime.

DOCTRINESOFTAOISMSeveral ethical suggestions based on the four essential principles of naturecomprise the Tao Te Ching. The Taoist viewpoint of ethics is not a designintended to preach about howpeople should live.These simply describewhatparticularbehaviorproduces,whenappliedtothefourprinciples.

It is similar to wondering why the foot hurts but later you realize that youstabbedyour footwith anail.TheTaoTeChingdoesn’t say, “Thou shalt notstab thyfootwith thynail.”Instead, itsays,” ifyoustabyourfootwithanail,yourfootwillhurt!”Thisstatementresemblescommonsense,butthesurprisingthingiseveryoneviolatestheseprinciplesofnatureeasily.

SELFLESSNESSOne basic ingredient of Taoism is the redefinition of “ego” or "self". Taoistsbelieve the way we project ourselves by the means of self-observation is thecause ofmost of our loneliness and unhappiness, becausewe tend to separateourselves from the others in the process of self-awareness. This developstroublesomeillusionsthatarebasedonafalseassumption:thatallorganismsaremutuallyexclusive.

Theobjectiveisnottodestroytheego,asitisn'tpossible.Thoughparadoxical,ifwewish to restrict ourselves from viewing the self as a separate identity, wemust viewourselves as a separate identity. Instead,wemust aim to focus ourattentiontotheprocessthatfollowsapattern,whichreturnsthesourcealways.

TheTao is eternal and infinite. It is eternal, as itwas never born; thus, it cannever die. It is infinite, as it does not have any desires for the self; thus, it isomnipresent.

MODERATION

Youwill find limitationseverywhere.Science fictionclaims thatone fineday,human beings will conquer nature, and will be free from its limitations. Thisclaim is illogical.There aremany limitations in our daily lives: societal rules,parents’ rule and the national rules. Even if a person decides which rules tofollow, he will still have to deal with its consequences of the unavoidablelimitations.

Freedomistherecognitionoftheselimitations.Onceyouareawareabouthowfaryoucanreach,youwillexperiencethefreedomofchoosingwhereyouwantto reach in that range. An illusion is the epitome of unlimited freedom. Oneexperiencesmaximum freedomwhen you are in between the upper and lowerleveloflimitations,inotherterms,moderation.Youhavethemaximumrangetochange your behavior by following the Taoist principle of freedom throughmoderation.

EMBRACINGTHETAOFearisaninnatecharacteristicoflivingbeings.Thisqualityallowsthe“flight”or “fight” response. If you are afraid, you will avoid any kind of danger.However, a humble attitude by accepting yourself as a component of natureallowsyou todependonnature to fulfillyourneeds.Noteverythingcanharmyou,and,actually,weoverreactduringfearsomesituations.

Despite having knowledge about nature, through art, science and realexperiences, we are unaware about many things. Is it possible to knoweverything?Thehumanbrainhasavolumeoffewcubiccentimetersonly.Howcanwe store information about everything present in nature? In fact,wehavejust stored the information that helps us in our survival, with few additionalgoodiesthatenablesustopursueourdreamsandenjoyahappylife.

But,howdowelearnabouttheotherthingsthen?Religionfulfillsthatpurpose,isn’tit?Despiteallthebiasesandopinions,theUniverseisamysterioussecret,yettobeunraveled,andwespentmuchofourlifecopingwiththesecret.Livinginanunknownenvironmentisboundtocreatefear,right?

However, Taoists have another approach to life. They embrace this profoundmystery. Taoists view life as a game, and enjoy every misunderstanding,confusionandmysteriousthingtheyexperience.Gamesarenotfunwithouttheprobability of winning and an equal probability of losing. To the Taoists,mysterymakestheirlifefun.

NON-CONTRIVANCE

Asmentionedabove,theTaoistethicsdonotpreach.Theydescribetheeffectsofvariousbehaviorsbecauseofthefourtenetsofnature.However,itwarnsyouagainst those telling you how to live life. It warns us against consciousmanipulationofmorality.

Ascontrivedmoralsare rigid,andnature isdynamic,contrivedmoralsarenotsupportedbynature.Moreover,thesemoralsdonotservethepurposeofbetterlife, but exercise greater control, either for the self or others. Other peopleestablish control over your life by dictating your morals. It’s not differentsimplybecauseyoudictateyourmorals.Themaincontext is thatregardlessofthe living conditions, it does not have anybearingonyourmorality, providedyouarecontrolled.Naturecontrolsitself.Youdonothavetocontrolit,orallowotherstocontrolyourlife.

To become a great leader youmust follow the Tao. Youmust stop trying toexercisecontrol.Freeyourselffromthefixedroutines,plansandideas,andlettheworldmanage itself. Excessive restrictionswillmake you less virtuous. Ifyou have more weapons, the people will feel less secure. If you have moresubsidies,peoplewillbelessself-reliant.TheTaoTeChingstates:“Iletgoofthe law,andpeoplebecomehonest. I letgoofeconomics,andpeoplebecomeprosperous.Iletgoofreligion,andpeoplebecomeserene.Iletgoofalldesireforthecommongood,andthegoodbecomescommonasgrass.”

DETACHMENT

Justlikethetwosidesofacoin,twouniversalforcesaffectus.Thefirstpolarityexpandsconsciousnessandcreatesanunderstandingandself-realizationof theexistence.TheotherpolarityrestrictstheconsciousnessgivingwaytoignoranceabouttheSelf.

Asthesepolaritiesoverrideallformsofexistence,inclinationtooneoranothercreates misunderstandings. These universal forces are inseparable. To sustainone,youmustsustaintheotherimplicitly.Thus,theTaoTeChingtellsusaboutdetachment.

Attachmentcomes invariedforms,suchas theyangandyincomeindifferentforms.Youmayacquireknowledgefromtheforceofknowledge/ignorance.Youmay attach to life from life/death polarity or to action from action/non-actionpolarity.

Learningtakesplace ineverystageof life,butyoucannotbeattachedtowhatyou have learnt. In an attempt to be attached to your learning, you tend tomisunderstand the acquiredknowledge. Ignorance is thegreatest enemy in thelearningprocess.

Taoistsbelieve lifeanddeatharenaturalcycles.Onedaysomething isborn tolive,thefollowingdayitdies.Onelivingthingexistsatanother’sexpense,thuscreating a chain of interdependence.This process is neither goodnor bad; thehard fact is it exists.All specieswish to live and fight for their survival. Toestablisharelationshipwithlifeandtofeardeathisacauseofmisunderstandinglife.Thecycleoflifeisneitheragreatvictorynoragreatloss.

TheWesternthoughtprocessisgovernedbythePuritanprincipleofworkethics.–work,workandwork.Itmeansthatlazinessisconsideredanenemy.Taoistsbelievethatbothworkandplayareinterdependent.Workgivesaperspectivetoplay,andvice-versa.LaoTzualsowarnedaboutexcessiveofanythingwillbeharmful. Thus, the Puritan principle is creating laziness. People resort toexcitingformsofrelaxation:latenightparties,shooting,drugsetc.Detachmenthelpsyoulivewithmoderation

There is a frantic struggle to possess and control more, and discard failure,misfortune, lack and emptiness. The doctrine of Taoism tells us to honor ourenemy, to lose humbly, and not quitting the competition. You must play thegameoflifewithabsolutetransparencyandrespect.

HUMILITY

Taoist doctrines emphasize on the significance of humility. Usually, it isobserved in instances where, under public wisdom, a person feels above anindividual or a group. The right perspective of Taoism teaches us to putourselvesbelowothers.

Forinstance,ifaruleswishestouseTaoismforgovernance,hemustputhimselfbelowhissubjects.Taoispresentineverything.Itisashighastheuniverseandaslowasthewastedbyproduct.

Doyoufeelyouareentitledtohaveahigherauthoritythanothersdo?

TAOISM:ADEEPERINSIGHTBynow,youhavehadabasicideaaboutwhatTaoismis.Previouschapterswerepreparing themindset of a beginner to grasp a comprehensive knowledge andinterpretationofTaoism.ThischaptertellsyoumoreaboutTaoismindetail.

Taoism is the traditional religion of the Chinese natives. They consider theDoctrineofMoralityas theirguidingprinciple.Taoismwasestablishedduringthe reignof theEasternHanDynasty. It gained religious legitimacyunder theruleofSouthernandNorthernDynastiestofulfillpoliticalgoals.Manyreligioussects established in the period 960 -1127, under theSongDynasty.NumerousTaoist templesspannedacross thecountry.Later,under theYuanDynasty, thereligionwasdividedintomajorsectsofQuanzhenandZhengyi.

HISTORYOFTAOISMTaoismflourishedasareligionoverfourphases:Proto-Taoism(“PhilosophicalTaoism”), Classical Taoism, Modern Taoism and Contemporary Taoism.Taoismdidnotdevelopasastreamlinedreligiousphilosophy.

PhilosophicalTaoismdevelopedduring2ndcenturyC.E.,andmuchisnotknownabouttheformalTaoistreligiousentitiesduringthatperiod.Classicworkssuchas the Zhuangziwere instrumental in influencing the rise of Taoist traditions.PhilosophicalTaoismestablishescloseobservationsofnature.ThefundamentalprincipleofTaoismestablishes thatman is an integral elementof the cosmos.Our consciousness (microcosm) is governed by the principles that control themacrocosm (outer universe); ultimately, there is no difference. ThedistinguishingfeatureofTaoismis that itdoesnothide thenatural rootsof itsphilosophy. This creative principle sees nature as its prime illustration thatexists and expresses through all things including human beings. There is nodifference between ultimate reality and the individual entity.All living beingsareregardedasasingleawarenessthoughitisexpressedindifferentforms.Allbeings temporarilyexpressa singleTao.The firstpieceofTaoistwriting,TaoTeChing,writtenabout2500yearsago,explainstheconceptoftheTaoandthewayoffindingharmonywithintheTao.

ClassicalTaoism,thesecondphaseofTaoism,beganin142C.E.ZhangDaolingfound the Way of Orthodox Unity. The current Taoist practitioners aredescendants of Zhang Taoling. Significant movements-the Way of HighestClarityand theWayofNuminousTreasuredeveloped later in thisperiod.Theperiod between 2nd and 7th centuries witnessed the development of Taoistpractices,scripturesandrituals.Inaddition,BuddhismwasintroducedinChinaby Indian and Tibetan missionaries. Classical Taoism ended with the Tangdynasty in the period between 618 and 906C.E.TheTang dynasty integratedTaoismandtheimperialcourtsystemduringthereignofXuanzong.TaoismwasconsideredsupremeoverBuddhism.

TheSongDynastysawtheinceptionoftheModernTaoistphilosophyduringtheperiod between 960 and 1279 C.E. This period reduced the gap betweenBuddhism,Taoistreligionandthelocaltraditions.ThissyncretismhamperedthedevelopmentofTaoismasaseparatereligion.TheWayofCompletePerfection,the monastic version of Taoism was founded by Wang Zhe. The conceptbelieves in internal alchemy i.e. the body’s energy is refined by practicing

focused breathing and subtle forms of meditation to promote longevity andpossibletranscendenceoverthefinitudesofhumanbeings.Thisconceptbecamepopular under the Mongol Yuan dynasty with an objective to harmonize theteachingsofTaoism,ConfucianismandBuddhism.

Modern Taoism was highly criticized up to the extent that several Taoistscriptures were burned. Fortunately, Taoism prospered with the advent of theMing dynasty in the period 1368-1644 C.E. In 1445, about 1,500 Taoistscriptures were compiled under the rule of the Emperor Yongle. The Taoistphilosophy established as a popular religiouspractice in theperiod1644-1911duringthereignoftheQingdynasty.PopularTaoistscripturesonmoralitywerepublished. Taoism inspired arts such as Tai Chi and Qigong becamewidespread.

Last but not the least, the Contemporary Taoism, since 1949, witnessed thecollapse of Taoism, during the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, whenTaoist temples were damaged and all religious practices were banned. Since1980,Taoismemergedagain inChina.ThenewgroupofTaoists isstrivingtorebuildtheTaoisttradition.Alternatively,becauseofemigrationoftheChinesepeople, Taoist temples are being constructed in Europe, US. Many Taoistpractices of Tai Chi and Qigong have become popular in theWest. Taoismsurvived thecataclysmicupheaval and flourishingagain throughoutChinaandtherestoftheworld.

TAOISMASANORGANIZEDRELIGIONINSIDECHINA

Chinese history has witnessed the emergence of three religions – Buddhism,Confucianism and Taoism. The public usually visited the temples but did notrecognizeanyreligionasanofficialone.TheymayvisitaTaoisttempleononedayandaBuddhisttemplenextday.ThedistinguishingfeaturesofTaoismthatclassifyitasareligioninclude:

Taoists believe that you are not required to die physically, which is thefundamentalprincipleofmodernscienceandmedicine.

The ancient philosophy of Taoism is popular because of its atheisticperspectiveagainstConfucianismandMohism in theAxialAgebetween770-221BC.

The inceptionofTaoism in the2nd and3rd centurieswitnessedamassiverevoltfromthepeasants.

SexconstitutesamajorportionofTaoism.

WiththeadventofBuddhism,ahybridreligionofTaoismandBuddhismmaintainedasecularoutlookthatspreadintheWest.

THEPURPOSEOFHUMANEXISTENCEThe earliest Taoist scriptures aligned human nature with the other naturalelements, creating harmony and order. According to this viewpoint, self-cultivationisrequiredtoreturntothemodeofanaturalexistenceconcealedbysocialnorms.Repetitionofspecificactions,likephysicalexercise,determinesaway to train the body to react in a free, natural and spontaneous manner.Similarly, practicing basketball shots and making the perfect basket in a biggame-the repeated instances during preparation enables you to actspontaneously.Thespontaneityisfullyexperiencedeverytime.However,manyTaoistswishtolivealongandhealthylife.

Whenhumanbeingsdeviatefromthisnaturalorder,theydestroythemselvesandothersaroundthem.TaoTeChingcriticizedtheConfucianscholarsofimposingsocialexpectationsandrules.Itbelievesthatthethreatofpunishmentandsocialrestrictions cause harm, as they enforce acceptable behavior rather thanpermittingnaturalandspontaneousbehavior.

Taoismbelievesthathumannatureisconnectedwiththehumanbody.Basedonthebodysciencesandexperimentswithchemistryanddiet,Taoismhasadeepinfluenceon the traditionalChinesemedicinal practices.According toTaoists,illnessmay be considered as a deficiency of harmony, or alignment,with thehuman body. For instance, the imbalance of yang and yin avoids the freemovementofqi,which leads tophysical illness andpain.Acupuncture allowstheqitomovefreelythroughthebody.

TheScriptureoftheYellowCourtintroducedanotherviewofthehumanbody.ThistextstatedthatGodsresidewithinthebody.Itdescribedthehumanbodyasa holy court having dwellings for each deity. The popular belief was a godstayedineachorgan,suchasagodresidingatthehead,ineacheye,betweentheeyebrows, etc. These gods supervised every bodily function. Te concept gaverisetotraditionalpracticesandritualstowelcomedeitiestothehumanbody.

Therefore,illustratingtherelationshipbetweentheTaoandhumanself,onecanframeaperspectivetocomprehendtheTao.

KEEPINGTHEONE

Each stage of this principle has a distinct direction. The first stage dealswithTaoistscombiningtheirenergiestoexplorethe‘one’withinhumanself.Inthisway, they eliminate any imbalanceswithin one and the self is free to interactwiththesurroundingenvironmentasawhole.Ritualaction,meditationorsomekindofpatternedbehaviorhelpsachieve thefirststage.Martialartsareoneofthe techniques to pursue the first stage. In the beginning, the mind is notharmonized with one’s body and breath. Taoism believes this disharmonybetweenbody,mindandbreath separates aTaoist from the self.Todevelopaharmony, they practice a range of movements integrating the breath and thebody movements. The mind must fully cooperate with these movements toachievesuccessfulintegration;ifyoudonothaveafocusedmind,thetechniqueswilllosefocus.

CHAOS

ATaoistmustleavethestructuredrhythmofdailypracticetoenterthesecondstageofchaos.ADutchsinologist,KristoferSchipperstates,"WiththepracticesIhavecalledpreliminaries,wearestillwithintherealmofsystems,preceptsandevenrecipes.”

Playing music is a perfect example showing how Taoists alter from thestructured ritual to chaos.Whileplaying amusical instrument, aperson learnsthe notes and scales, and plays themuntil he can recognize themusical notesinstantly.At this stage, themusician has achieved a perfect preliminary stage.While studying a musical piece, he is free to translate the notes due to priorpractice.Atrueunderstandingenablesthemusiciantotranscendthepracticeandmusical notes into a perfect musical piece. This state of desired chaos ismasteredbytheTaoistsbymasteringthepreliminarystagesandlettingthemgotofindaprofoundstateofliving.

Hence, the second stage culminates with the Taoists operating in chaos, yetmaintainingthecompletefreedom.Theselfembracesthetwoforcesofyangandyin.

THERETURN

Althoughthesecondstageofchaosisregardedastheend,thereisathirdstageto achieve the complete Tao. The Taoist not just moves with the externaluniverse,reactingtoanysituation,butintegrateswithit.TheTaoistresemblesapersondrivingacar.Usually,ifapersontravelsonafamiliarpath,hemaynotexperiencethedriveuntilhereacheshome.Thus,thesignalsonthewaywillnotactasobstacles,butparticipateinthedrivingexperience.Atthismoment,thereis no difference between the act of driving and the route. Likewise, thedichotomybetweentheexperienceandtheTaodisappears.

Thus, the concept of return emerges.A return is necessary, from the stage ofchaostooneselfthathasnodistinctionbetweentheselfandtheTao.Hence,theTaoistsfinallyreturntoastageofcompleteintegrationoftheselfwiththeTao.

Animportantaspectof thethirdstageemphasizesthatTaoistscannot integratethemselveswith theTao unless they completely accept thewholeness of theirbeing.LaoTzu states, "The reason I have great trouble is that I have a body.WhenInolongerhaveabodywhattroublehaveI?"Thebodyissymbolizestheclosedself.Taoistswillbeunable to interactwith theTaountil theyaccept itsendlesspotential.Forinstance,watertakestheshapeofanycontainer;similarly,Taoists must willingly accept the new role based on the nature of theirenvironment. To attain the ideal state, Taoists must not restrict themselves.Theselimitationsmaycomeintheformofprejudices.

Infollowingtheabove-mentionedthree-stageprocess,Taoistsinvolvetheselftounderstand the Tao. The first stage establishes harmony with the self. Theyintegrate their energies to become an organic entity. The second stageestablishesarelationshipbetween theselfand theTao.The idealstate, i.e. thethird stage eradicates the limitations of selfhood and communicates with thegreaterTao.TheTaoremainsomnipotentintheexperiencesoftheTaoists.

TAOISMINTHEPRESENTDAYTheworldhasbecomeaglobalvillage.Technologicalinnovationshavebroughtindividuals remarkably closer particularly after the ColdWar. Many scholarsbelieve that people nowadays require a newwayof leading life.TheybelievethatTaoismisagoodchoice,as itemphasizesonthemoralsofsimplicityandnaturalness, which correspond to the materialistic philosophy of the Westernworld.

The Western culture dominates the modern world. It is a variation of thetraditional cultures such as Indian and Chinese culture. The modern societyfocuses on building wealth. As the developed societies have a rich source ofeconomy, technology and science, they are also good at war. However, thepeople residing in thesesocietiesareunhappy.Peopleearnmoneybyworkinghardbuttheyarenothappy.

Even happiness is affected by the amount of wealth one possesses. You feelhappy if you are rich and drive the latest brand of cars. On the contrary, theobjective of buildingwealth has led to an increase in the frequency ofmajorhealthissuessuchascancer,heartattack,stroke,suicide,andpsychosis.Hence,theincreasedaccumulationofwealthdoesnothelpanybody.Unfortunately,theculture of buildingwealth has increased excess consumption of resources andproducesnon-recyclablewaste.Theneedofthehouristofindalternativewaysof living life. Taoism emphasizes on leading a simple life that considers thewholenatureofahumanbeing.

BENEFITSOFTAOItwillnotbewrongtosaythattheTaoisthegoverningprincipleofeverybeinginnatureincludingtheSelf.UnderstandingtheTaoisanattempttounderstandyou. The better you know and understand yourself life becomes easier andpeaceful. Taoism is a guiding principle of the world. If you understand theworldbetter,youfeelcomfortableandpeacefullivinginthisworld.

It is quite simple to understand the fundamental principles of the Tao. Thecomplicated part is unlearning the preconceived ideas about the principles ofnatureandlife.TheTaocannotbedescribedbywords.Youdonotseethewind,but can feel its effects, from swaying trees to harsh dust storms, the windunderstandsandabidesbytheobscurelawsofthenature.

Understandingthegovernanceofwind,peoplehavebenefitedalot.Childrenflykites; dandelion sees blow across the field and the telescope explores theuniversal and celestial winds. Likewise, Taoist principles, if understoodthoroughly,canenrichanindividual’slife.Youunderstandyourpersonalnatureandgiveimportancetoyourexistence.

Onthecontrary,anunderstandingoftheTaogivesrisetoillusions.Forinstance,once we believed that the world was flat. Knowledge of the universe hasabandonedthosebeliefsandanewexplanationemerged.

THEFLUIDITYOFTHETAOWatersymbolizestheexistenceoftheTao.Imaginearaindropfallingfromthehigh mountains. It lands on a tiny spring, merging with the other raindrops,integratesonewiththewater.Gravitationalforcehelpsthewaterflowthroughthemountainsonthepathhavingleastresistance.

TheTaodoesnothaveaspecificdefinition;wecanexplainitusingmetaphoricwords symbolizing its nature. In the example above, theTao is present in theindividual raindrops, the water stream, the gravitational force and the pathhavingleastresistance.

Simultaneously, the Tao resembles none of the things mentioned above. Thislogicseemstobeaparadoxbutactuallynot.Thesimpletermsconveyanelusivemessage thatdoesnotdefine theconcept.These termsare simply representingthenatureoftheTao.Untilyouactuallyseeastreamofflowingwater,feelthecool breeze blow your hair, notice the speed of the water, you will neverexperience the flowofwater. Similarly, simplewords are not enough to learnabout the Tao. You need to utilize these principles in your daily life andexperienceityourself.

You can associate the Tao with any form of representation to learn about itsnature. Once you understand the Taoist principles thoroughly, you shall notrequirethehelpofsymbolicrepresentations.

AWARENESSOFTHEWORLD

The central concept of Taoism is creating awareness about the world andaccepting the world in its true nature, without being judgmental. A Taoist isawareabouttheworld,meanspeopledon’thavetoactnicealways.Taoistsareawarethatpeoplearenoble,howeversometimestheyactnastily.

TheTaoistsbelievethatpeoplebehavebadly,butsometimestheyexpressgoodbehaviortoo.ATaoistneverlamentsaboutthenatureoftheworld;theybelievethe world has been like this always. This philosophy propagates a realisticawarenessandunderstandingofnatureandpeople.

THEPURPOSEOFLIVINGJudaism propagated the Ten Commandments as a way of life. ChristianitybelieveslifeisawayofreinstatingtheselfinfrontoftheLord.IslampropagatesthelawslaiddownbyAllahasthemajorprinciplesoflivinglife.Buddhismasksitsfollowerstorejectthenaturalworld.Taoismbelievesapersonshouldengagein things thatmakes him happy and contended. Exploring true happiness is aprofoundmystery.

TaoismhasaninconsequentialinfluenceontheWesternculture,butthedesignof the Taoist philosophy has impressed theWestern world. Simplicity in thephilosophicalaswellasmaterialsenseissomewhatcentraltothephilosophyofTaoism.WuWeiornon-actionisoneofthemajorconceptsofthisphilosophy.

InthemiddleofaqueueoutsideanATM,youjigglefromonefoottotheother.Juststopforamoment.Yourealize thatamongallpossibilitiesof instances inreality, you are a mere coincidence. Enjoy thinking about the universe as arandomgroupofenergyandmass,freefromthecontrolofacosmicdeityorapredefineddesign.

The amusing part is, in spite of being morally undemanding, stress-free andfearless;thephilosophyhasn’tgainedenoughpopularity.Comparedtotheotherreligions,Taoismishighlyhighlycompatiblewiththemodernlivingstandardsand,itisnecessarytobeatthestressfacedinthemodernlife.

AHARMONYOFPARADOXESThewaynaturepresents itself isaharmoniouscombinationofparadoxes. It isdifficult toclassify theTaointodifferentcategories.Mostsocietiesbelieve theTaotobeanegativeandaharmfulpotential.

CLOSEHARMONYWITHNATUREThe Tao enjoys a close harmony with the rhythm of the natural life. Thisharmonyisspiritualandorganic.Heisnotgovernedbyanydogmaticprinciples.Hisinnategoodqualitiesarenothamperedbythechaosoftheignorantpeople.Hefeelscomfortableinareasclosetonaturesuchasmountainsordeepjungles.He finds peace in areas away from the contrived and artificial world. In theartificialworld, aTaoist experiencesdetachment, ashe isuncomfortable in anatmosphere of greed, envy and jealousy; these are harmful negative emotionssurroundingtheTao.

CAREFREELIFETrue happiness is achieved by effortless freedom. Happiness is not won orbought,asitdoesnotqualifyasacommodity,aprize,oranachievement.Truehappinessisachievedwhenapersonrealizesthejoyofsmallthingsandlivesasimple and contended life.Themodest living standards of theTao comewithvery little expectations. If he receives wealth, he accepts it and does notassociate anymaterialistic powerwith it. If unavoidable, he relinquishes thesepossessions without any regrets. He welcomes any suffering graciously andrelisheseachmoment.

EQUANIMITY

Theworldisapeacefulplaceifyouhavenoexpectationsfromlife.Afeelingofcalmnessandhumilityinvictoryandtranquilityinfailureisthekeytoleadingapeaceful life.TheTaodoesnotdependon theexternalenvironment toacquirethe spiritual strength. He is aware that over-dependence on factors such aswealth, fame, status, success, relationships and knowledge is themain reasonwhypeoplearenotabletotacklefailure,lossordefeatinthemoderntimes.

The Tao is indifferent towards any instance of his life. He knows that self-centeredgoalsdonothelpinleadingahappylife,irrespectiveofhowsuccessfulhe is.Ameaningful life is onewhereyou can satisfyyour spiritual being andliveharmoniouslywiththeTao.

PEACEFULWARRIOR

TheTaowishes to lead life peacefully.Yet, he adorns the characteristics of asoldier.Hedetestsweaponsandwarfare.Asagreatwarrior,heavoidsconflictsand does not implement violent tactics. He subdues his shortcomingswithouthumiliation.HeiscourageousaboutconqueringtheSelf.HeisnotdrivenbyhistheTaoisnotapacifist.Henevercelebrateshistriumph,nordoeshecarrythebruntofhumiliationtohurtsomeone’sfeelings.

STRENGTHANDSUPPORTTheTaobelievesthatyoumustimproveyourselffirstinordertoimproveyourdeeds.He isaware thatgoodpeoplewillalwaysendupperformingspirituallygoodacts.Heavoidsself-praiseandobeysthespontaneousandnaturalimpulsesarisingoutofgenuinecompassion.

He does not engage in public recognition as it can corrupt the self.We havewitnessed the scenes of public charity displayed by the politicians duringelections.ATaoistdoesnotfeeltheneedofsuchrecognitionwhichisintendedtowardsglorifyingtheself.Purecompassionisdisplayedbyengagingyourselfin secret acts of mercy; it justifies the triumph of the spiritual self over aperson’sego,signifyingthepresenceofenlightenment.

BEINGANOUTSIDERThenomadiclifeoftheTaoavoidsunnecessarycommunicationwithpeople.Hediscouragessmalltalkandgossip.Hedoesnottalkmuch;peoplefindhimdull.Hedoesnotmind,asheisnotvyingforrecognitionandpopularity.

The Tao is not bound by time. He abhors the ideologies of manipulating thesociety. He is indifferent to the pressuring ways of changing the society. Hefunctions in the society without getting deeply involved in the ideologicalconcepts governing the society. He prefers to keep himself away fromparticipating in the prejudices and does not give voice to his intellectualcapabilities.

ANOUTLAWTheactionsofaTaoistarenotboundbymoralsorethics.Heactsspontaneouslywithoutworryingabout theacceptabilityof thesociety.He follows thenaturalurges, virtuous actions harmonizing with the self, and leads a life with thehighestvaluesandmorals.Noneofhisactsareaconsciouseffortastheyflowaccordingtothenaturalself.

Obviously,aTaoistwilldefynaturallawsifitobstructstheselfandcompassion.An unjust society forces a Taoist to violate the common ethical principles.Involuntarily,hewilltravelthewrongpathinthequestofanamiablesolution.

DOESNOTSTRIVEHARDATaoistdoesnotviewknowledgeasasymbolofpower.Hedoesnotformulatea secret agenda. He is a silent traveler. He observes the ways of the worldwithout getting involved in arguments. He achieves contentment by acquiringknowledge. He avoids competition and protects his learning carefully. He isawarethatknowledgecanbeatoolofgainingsuperiorcontrol,thusdisturbingtheharmony.Instead,heavoidssuchcompetitivesurroundingsandenjoyslivingharmoniouslywiththenature.ATaoistbelieveswisdom,knowledgeandvirtuearesourcesofevil,whichmanipulateother’slives.

MINDFULNESSANDTAOISMMedical sciences have adopted the methods of mindfulness meditation. Itreduces thestress levelsof thepatientsand improves thesymptomsofvarioushealth disorders such as depression, anxiety, blood pressure, skin infection,chronicpainandheartfailure.

Complexities of the modern world have paved the way for chronic stress.Meditation has been practiced since the ancient times in China and India torelieve stress problems.The scriptures ofTaoism andConfucianismdealwithmethodsofstressreliefthroughmeditation.

THECHINESEROOTSOFMEDITATIONMINDFULNESS

Theconceptofmindfulness,asdevelopedbyDr.JonKabatZinn,wasbasedonZen Buddhism during 7th Century A.D. The ancient Chinese practicedsophisticated methods of providing stress relief including breathing andmeditation. Historians believe the followers of Buddhism, Confucianism andLao Tzu compiled their teachings that would serve as a guiding principle forfuturegenerations.Acalmattitudegave strength to face thehardshipsofwar,deathandlossofproperty.

Taoism emerged into existence during the rule of the Shang dynasty, but noformalrecordsofthepracticesandteachingsweremaintained.LaoTzuinitiatedtheformalwritingoftheseteachingsintheTaoTeChing,thecentralscriptureof Taoism. It includes 81 individual chapters. The Chang-Tzu, another Taoisttext,wascompiledinthe3rdand4thcenturiesB.C.E.TheChineseconsiderbothtextsassocial,political,spiritualandphilosophicalclassics.

PHILOSOPHYANDCHINESEMEDICINE

In theWest,medicine considersheart as apumpcirculatingblood to all bodyparts,whilethebrainisathinkingorgantoperceive,remember,feel,intuitandmakedecisions.TheChinesephilosophydoesnotdifferentiatethebrainandtheheart.Theybelieveinxini.e.heart-mindthatworksintandemwithrespecttoadynamicenvironment.Theobjectiveiscreatingaharmonybetweenthexinandtheenvironment.

RELIEVINGSTRESS-CONFUCIANAPPROACH

Confucius, aChinesephilosopher,developed this schoolof thoughtduring theperiodofstatewarfare.Hebelievedtruehappinessofanindividualdependedonsocialharmony.Histeachingswerebasedontheprinciplethatsocialharmonyiscreatedwhenindividualsactresponsiblyandtreatotherswithrespect,empathyandtrust.Heemphasizedpeopleshouldlivevirtuouslybyfollowingtheproperethical model of behavior. His teachings aim to provide a virtuous life withrespectandloyalty.

According to Confucius, social warfare and political instability createdindividualstress.Hebelievedtoleadastress-freelifeindividualsmustdevelopsocialharmony.Hementionedtheprinciplestobeexercisedbytherulingclasstodevelopsocialwelfareandharmony.Sadly,hisadvicewasnotabidedbytherulingclass,continuing inwarfare,which imposeddifficulties for thecommonpeople.

THETAOISTPHILOSOPHYOFRELIEVINGSTRESSTaoismhasdevisedathree-foldmeasuretoreducechronicstressproblems

Jing - A person should become free from the preconceptions such asstandards, values, dichotomies, distinctions, concepts, judgments andtheoriescontrollinghisbehavior.

WuWei-Thesecondmeasureisnon-adherencetointerferenceoftheselfwithothers.

WuShi-Thethirdmeasurereferstoavoidanceofgettinginvolvedintheworldaffairs.

Adhering to these steps requires self-cultivation involving non-judgmentalobservationsandengaginginthepresentenvironment.Guanreferstothestateofreceptivity, tranquilityandclearobservationwhereoneaims tounderstand theself to the present situation and instances, rather than having a preconceivednotionaboutreality.AnindividualexperiencestheTaoinitsactualstatewithoutbeinginfluencedbyother’sopinionsonthenatureoftheTao.

Once you achieve the state of guan, you develop an impartial view about theworldthataffectsyourthoughts,emotions,decisionsandbehavior.Yourealizethat there isnodefiniteorpreconceivednotionand therearedifferentways totacklesituations.Youalsorealizethatyouhaveseveraloptionsofassessingandhandlingaparticularsituation.Youareawarethatyouaredisconnectedfromthedynamic world by observing rigid principles that attempt to shun the reality.Thismomentofawarenesscreatesaharmonyoftheselfwiththenaturalworld,therebyaneffectivesourceofrelievingstress.

AnemptyxinenablesafreeexperienceoftheTao.RobertSantee,aphilosopherbelievesthisphenomenonactsasasourceofgentlepowerthatallowsapersontoactnaturallyinconformitywiththeeverchangingdemandsofnature.

THEIMPORTANCEOFBREATHING

ThetenthverseoftheToTeChingstatesweshouldbreathelikeaninfant,inanatural and uncompromisedmanner.Wemust focus on our breath and let thedisturbing thoughts and emotions pass by. We must follow a free anduncomplicated breathing process.Breathing is the fundamental activity of anyliving being.We breathe for the first time at our birth and die with our lastbreath.Breathinginaharmonywiththenatureallowsfreedom.Restrictedbreathcauses fatigue and tension, as the xin experiences a closed, inflexible, rigid,fearfulandahostilenature.Itcreatesstressandgiveswaytoaviciousbreathingcycle.

The sixth chapter of the Chuang Tzu observes a difference between deepbreathing (from the heels) and shallow breathing (from the throat). Shallowbreathing is a symptomof confusion, restriction, stress and negative thoughts,whiledeepbreathingrefers toacalm,clearandawarexin.Achildexperiencefreebreathingasheisnotaffectedbythetensionsandotherrestrictions.Onthecontrary,adultsdonotexperiencefreedomwhilebreathing.

SPACIOUSNESSANDITSBENEFITSDeepbreathingrelaxes thexinandthebodyof therestrictive ideas, judgmentsandvalues. Itpurifies the innerselfandbalances theenergy,allowing themtomovefreely.LamaTarthangTulkubelieves this feeling ismorepowerful thantheexpressionofjoy–itisvast,deepandinfinite.

QIGONGPRACTICESANDBUDDHISTMINDFULNESS

The practice of Buddhist mindfulness aims for impermanence or Aniccha. Adeep association exists between the concept of Aniccha and the Qi, a Taoistconcept. Mindfulness focuses on mental images, physical sensations, internaltalkandemotionalsensationsofthebody;itmakesordinaryexperiencesappearas extraordinary ones. Sensations and thoughts flow as an energy, whichexpands, undulates, contracts and vibrates. On the other hand, Qigong, thepractice of Inner Alchemy involves exercises to generate this experience ofenergyflow.Acombinationofthesetwopracticesamalgamatesthebestofbothworlds. Mindfulness practices enhance the awareness skills to decipher thevibrant energy involved in ordinary experiences. The Qigong activates thevibrant energy in a subtleway. Chinesemedicine associatesmindfulness as asmoothflowofenergythroughthevariousbodyparts.Adiseaseiscausedwhenthevibrantenergyisdeficientinahumanbody.

TheQigongpracticessupplementsuchimbalancestoremovethestagnationandcreateharmonybetweentheenergyflowandxin.Mindfulnesshelpsustoacceptthe internal experiences of mind and the body openly, it complements theQigongpractices.Thecombinationenhancesthepotentialofprofoundhealing.

TAOISMFORLEADERSHIPThere are two perspectives defining the quality of leadership. Internal factorsinclude personal traits and resultant behavior; external factors include thecontextofleadershipandthefollowers.Scholarsofbehaviorstudiesbelievethatinternal factors of traits, personality and behavior influence over the externalfactors. However, other school of thought is that external factors affect theleadershipprocess.Modernscholarsemphasizeontheimportanceoftheinternalfactorsoftheleadersandfollowers–theirknowledge,cognitionandexperienceinfluencetheleadership.

Newtheoriesofleadershipattempttobelieveinternalfactorsoftraitswiththeirresultant behavior significantly influence the essence of leadership. Relativetheories on leadership emphasize on the importance of external and internalfactors to influence effective leadership. Interaction between the leaders andtheir followers are instrumental in deciding the quality of leadership. Skepticscriticize all leadership theories on the grounds of insufficient evidence anddoubtfulmethodsofleadership.

Taoismcreatesawarenessabout theuniverse,mankindanditsassociationwithnature.Thephilosophyemphasizesthatanyuniversalphenomenoncomprisesofinterdependentfactorsyetcompetitiveinnature.Taoistsbelieveleadershipisaprocess existing in the human society that is based on the relationship of aperson with the masses. Therefore, you cannot ignore the fundamentals ofTaoism that needs a balanced, ever-changing and interdependent relationshipbetweentwointernalforcescompetingwitheachother.

AthoroughanalysisofvariousleadershiptheoriessuggestthatleadershipstylesarebasedontheprinciplesofTaoism.ATaoistviewpointofleadershipbelievesleadersandfollowersshareaninterchangeablerelationship,notbecauseleadersfollow their superiors and have subordinates as followers, the situation maychangeovertime.Theexternalfactorsappearcompetitiveinasystemofsingleleadership or dictatorship. In small leadership systems, internal and externalforcesworktogether.

Scholars emphasize on two Yang-Yin systems: context and leadershipcontributes to a relationship between the environmental factors andorganizationalfactors.Theothersysteminvolvingfollowersandleadersdevelopasmalleryang-Yinsystem.Taoismconsiderscontextandleadershiptobeequal

parts in a leadership system as associated issues having a greater context arerelevantforgreatleadershipstyle.Regardlessofthegravityofthecontext,therearefiniteissuesthataffectaparticularleadership.

Taoism considers the human society as a smaller Yang-Yin system of theuniverse. Every human constitutes a micro-system of Yang and Yin. Taoismstates“MankindfollowstherulesoftheearthwhichinturnfollowstherulesofHeaven(ortheuniverse).Heaven(ortheuniverse)followstherulesofTaoandTaofollowsitsownnature”(Xiong,2005).”

TheprocessofYangandYindoesnotrepeat,butoccursineitheranupwardoradownwardcycle.LeadersandfollowerscantakethepositionofYangandYinatthe various stages of the development cycle. Every object of the universeundergoes eternal change. Leadership studies initiate the study of individualtraits and come back to the new theories based on transformational, visionaryandcharismaticchangesinanindividual.

Taoismconsidersleadershiptobedynamicinnature.Itallowsleadersaswellasfollowerstoexercisedominanceofpower.Equilibriuminthepowerofthetwoentitiesisshort-lived.Yangisthedynamicandproactiveforce,whileYinisthetranquil and passive force. Leaders are considered to be Yang when theyexercise power in a proactive and progressivemanner, while followers act asYinwhentheyarelessactiveandpassive.Otherwise,leadersareYinwhentheydonotparticipateactivelyandfollowersrepresentYangwhentheyareactivelyinvolved in achieving growth and success. Leadership is decided by thedominantforceofanorganization.Thenatureofleadershipisdecidedbywhichforcecurrentlydominatestheorganization.Inwhatfollows,weelaborateonthispoint when studying the model of the traits of successful leaders based onTaoism.

SUCCESSSTORIESOFTAOISTLEADERSHIPTounderstanddynamicleadership,amodelontheessentialtraitsofasuccessfulleader based on Taoist principles has been established. The model reflectsdynamic leadership along with leadership theories that have achieved successfollowing this model. This model suggests that there are five basic traits todevelopasuccessfulleader.

Successful leaders, in the infant stage of an organization, need to possess thecharacteristicsofYang i.e.proactiveandprogressive.Inhisstage,aleaderhastoacquirethesupportandfaithofhisfollowers,whointurnmustcomprehendthe mission and vision of the organization. An infant setup requires theparticipationofall itsmembers,a leaderhas toexhibitbenevolence, love,careandmostimportantlylistentohisfollowers.Hecopesupwithminormistakesofhis followers encouraging them to perform creatively and boost innovation.Becausehe requires everyone to contribute, he is not strict andgathers advicefromthefollowers.He isawareof retaininggood talentsbycaringabout theirdesires and needs to achieve personal success. The benevolence of a leaderachieves quick growth for his organization by utilizing the innovative andcreativeabilitiesof the followers.He ispraisedhischarismaandacknowledgehissuccess.

ThesecondstageofgrowthofanorganizationdealswithrapiddevelopmentthatviewsaleaderinaFireposition.TheorganizationentersastrongYangphase.Leadersareenergeticandexcitedaboutthesuccessoftheorganizationandareproactiveineverystep.Theyimplementnewstrategiestoboostthecapabilitiesof their followers to increase the growth and the gains from a successfulorganization. Any successful business venture is the result of continuousprogressiveeffortsofitsleader.

However,Taoismbelieves a leader should exhibit the qualities of propriety atthe secondstage.The leader is ina strongpositioncompared tohis followers.The rapid success of the organization can overwhelm the leadership, therebyurging them to practice certain unrealistic agendas, which the followers can’toppose. Many businesses have failed at this stage due to unrealistic goals.Therefore, a leader needs to achieve realistic goalswith propriety, enthusiasmandencouragement.

ThethirdstageviewstheleadersinthepositionofEarth,thematuritystageof

anorganization.Theleadershaveaperspectiveofstablegrowthandabalanceisestablishedbetween the followers and the leadership.Theharmony reachesanidealstate,enjoyingastablerelationshipandeffectivecommunication.Taoismbelievesa leaderexhibits faithfulnessand loyaltyat this stage.The leader is asincere individual who is loyal towards his responsibility and maintainstransparencywithhisfollowers.Headoptsademocraticleadershipstylewherefollowerscaneasilypredicthiscourseofactions.Themutualunderstandingofthe leader and his followers is an essential factor for the success of anorganization.

However, various approaches can be exercised at this stage to obtain success.Despite the equilibrium, a leader may choose to convince the follower aboutacceptinghisviews.Inaddition,aleadermaybecomemoredemocratic,givingimportancetothefollowers,andmakeexchangetheirviewsthroughmotivatingtheir contributions. Some leaders may empower the followers to deliver theirbestefforts.Hemaylistentotheadvicegivenbythefollowers.Atthisstage,aleaderactsasafacilitatorthanthedrivingforceoftheorganization.

The fourth stage of the development of an organization places the leader inMetal position. The venture crosses its maturity and begins to decline. Theorganizationisgovernedbyrigidstructureandtheorganizationalfunctionsarenotproactive.Theleaderadoptsaconservativeleadershipstylethatdiscouragesthecreativefollowers.Somesmartfollowerstakeadvantageofthissituationandexplore theirownventure.Toachieve successat this stage,a leaderneeds thecharacteristics ofmanagerial skills, justice, regulations and adequate power tomotivate the followersandenhance theircontribution.Heneedsaccountabilitybyrewardingthecapablefollowersandreprimandingtheselfishfollowers.

ThefinalphaseofaleaderisthestageofWater,wheretheorganizationreachesthedyingstage.Theorganizationlosesthesupportofcreativefollowers,andthebusiness reaches an intersection of birth and death. A wise leader achievessuccessatthisstage.Helaysdownanencouragingperspectivetodealwiththecurrent problems, convincing it followers to resolve the issues and promise abright future.Hecreatesanewvision tocreateaneworganization togain thefollowers’ confidence.He exhibits visionary abilities to encourage the capablefollowers.

However,Taoistprinciplesworkonlyasabasic frameworkforclassifying themajor leadership theories. As there are innumerable factors developing the

leadership model, we require innumerable theories to understand thecharacteristicsofa true leader.Taoismstates the leadershipstylesaredynamicdueto theever-changingexternalandinternalfactors.Onetheorymayexplainthe events adhering to a particular instance; however, the cycle undergoescontinuous change, so different theories are the need of the hour. There is nodefinitetheorythatcanclassifydifferentleadershipstylesaccurately.

Currently, scholars isolate the leadership factors from the changing contexts,therebydrawingconclusionsfromanisolatedviewpoint.Astheydonotconsidertheexternal and internal contexts, the leadership theories lack relevance to theactual events. Despite their limitations, themodern leadership theories shouldnot be discarded as rubbish. The modern theories are an integration of theprinciplesofallexistingtheoriesofleadership.

Itrequiresleaderstoexhibitrelevanttraitsaccordingtothechangingsituations.LeadershipdevelopsatYanginsomecaseofleadership,andasYinintheotherstages. Hey need to change their behavior accordingly. For instance, in thestagesofWaterandEarth,a leadershouldexhibit thebehaviorofavisionary.He needs to accept the changes in the organizational structure rather thanfollowing the same behavior as practiced in the initial stages. The Taoistprinciple describes actual events effectively, for the leader to arrive at awisedecision.

Verse 57 of the Tao Te Ching suggests an effective working principle forsuccessfulleaders.Itstates,“IfyouwanttobeagreatleaderyoumustlearntofollowtheTao.”AleaderfollowingtheTaoistprinciplesshouldabandonstrictanddefinitestrategiesandconcepts.Rather thanfollowinga rigidconcept, theleaderfollowshisnaturalinstinctsandhisactionsaregovernedbytheprinciplesofnature.Thispathmaybeabsurdforanindividualwhoisattractedtostrategicleadership.TheprinciplesofTaoismbelievethatplanningisnotaseffectiveasallowingthebusinesstorunonitsown.Itwillbeanunderstatementtotermthiskindofleadershipasrare,asthismethodisnotproventobebetterthanstrategicplanning.

NORESTRICTIONSA Taoist leader allows the followers to function without any restrictions.Prohibitionofanykindinhibitsthevirtuesandcreativityofthefollowers.Itmayleadtoaggressiveoutburstsfromthefollowersandthefeelingofinsecuritywillcreepintothemindsofthefollowers.

SELF-RELIANT

Taoismbelieves that a leadermust be self-reliant. Followersmust feel secure,i.e. theyshouldhavethebasicnecessities tosustain their livelihood.Followersshouldbemotivatedtotakeresponsibilityoftheassignedtasksratherthanbeingunder supervision at all times. This statement is against the radical approachwhereleaderstendtoexercisecontrolovertheirsubordinatesratherthanmakingthemgrow independently.The followers shouldequip the requiredskills tobelessdependentontheirsuperiors.

PROHIBITIONOFLAWS

The Tao Te Ching claims that in the absence of strict rules, laws, andregulations, the followers adopt an honest work ethic. It believes theabandonmentofeconomicplanningwillmakepeoplewealthier.Freedomfromdesire and control is better than a leadership which exercises control throughpolicies,plans,retributionandrules.Theleaderwhowillinglydoesnotexercisecontrol achieves better control, however, in an organization believing in self-governance. It allows theprinciplesof theTao togovern thepeople.A leadermust trust the abilities of the Tao, i.e. order can be maintained even withoutstrategicplansandpolicies.Aleadermustforegothecostsofstrategicplanningandpolicy-making.

Amajorquestionarises thatwhethersuchtoolsareconstructiveordetrimentalfor an organization.Modern business leaders draft policies and strategic planswhich are short-lived due to market dynamics and geo-politics. Commonbenefitsmayarisenaturallyby theever-changingdynamics,which the leadersmustconsider.

Taoismbelievesthata leadersimpledoesn’t interfereinthewaysof theworldandurgesotherstofollowsuit.ThegoalofachievingacommonbenefitallowsaleadertoapplytheprinciplesofTaoisminhisorganization.

WEIWUWEI

Taoism explains universal principles to address the concept of modernleadership. Taoist philosophers laid down the basic characteristics of a leaderandexplainedtheleadershipstrategiesformanyhumanactivities.Theactivitiesrangefrommanagingstateaffairsalongwithcultivatingthevirtuesandmoralsof the people.Hence, an understanding of Taoist principles of leadership is agreat piece of information. Taoists believe leaders are not different from thefollowers.Apersonwhoserveshispeoplemore is regardedas the leader.Theprincipleofweiwuweiemphasizedonspontaneousleadershipinanaturalway.Itadherestothenaturalcourseofeventswithoutanykindofinterference.TheholisticvisionoftheTaoallowsindividualstoconsiderthemselvesapartoftheuniverse,therebycooperatingwiththenaturalrhythmoflife.

WeiWuWei comprises of three governing principles of leadership. The firstprinciplestates‘‘doingsomethingwhilenotdoingsomethingelse.’’Thesecondprinciple allows a natural flow of events with noninterference. The thirdprinciplereferstosymbolicleadership.10097words

Chapter60ofTaoTeChingstates,‘‘Leadingalargeorganizationorstateislikecooking a small fish.’’ Just as excessive stirring damages the preparation of asmall fish, excessive interference imbalances the activities at aworkplace. Tocultivate theprinciplesof theTao,a leadermustallownaturalevents tocausechallengesandexploreasolutionnaturally.ThenaturalflowallowstheTaotoharmonizewith all things or individuals. The practice of positive inaction i.e.wei wu wei allows events to follow its natural course to comply with theuniversal forces.Leadersmustobserve thebasicprinciplesandadapting to theever-changing dynamics of the nature. The leaders must reconcile betweennoninterferenceofthenaturalflowofeventsandtheeffortstochangethenaturalflow.

There are four kinds of leadership qualities. A leader manages his followersstrategicallyandallows them towork independently,without interrupting theiractivities.Next,a leader ishumane i.e.hecaters to theneedsofhis followers.Another typeof leaderexercisespunishmentandcontrolbypolicies, rulesandregulations. ThefourthtypeofleaderdoesnotbelieveintheTaoistprinciplesand isdespisedbyhis followers. Thebest formof leadership is the first typethatisbasedontheweiwuweiideologyofTaoism.

WESTERNMANAGEMENTTHEORIESVS.TAOISMDouglas McGregor developed the leadership theories namely Theory X andTheoryY.TheoryXbelievesinaleadershipstylethatexercisescomplianceandcontrol.Leadersassumevarioussituations,suchas:thefollowersavoidworkastheydislikeit;theydonotfeeltheneedofbeingled;theyareunwillingtoacceptresponsibility; and hence, demand supervision to achieve organizational goals.Theory Y propagates a leadership style that focuses on people managementthrough participation, delegation and collaboration. This theory believesfollowersareeagertotakeresponsibility;theyhaveawillingnesstowork;andtakeinitiativestoachievetheobjectivesoftheorganization.Followershelptheirleadersachievegoalsbecauseofpositivereinforcement.

McGregor developed another theory, known as Theory Y. This stressesmanagement or leadership through input, collaboration and delegation.According to Theory Y, people want to work, they are willing to acceptresponsibilities,andtheyareambitiousanddemonstrateinitiativetoachieveanobjective.Peoplecanattaingoalswithpositivemotivation.

Abraham Maslow propounded the theory of hierarchical needs. It is greatlyinfluencedbytheTaoistprinciplesandemphasizesself-actualizationandhumandignity. Maslow believes any style of individual leadership influences onlycertaininstances.ATaoistleaderkeepsawayfromthepowerofinstructinghisfollowers.AdirectconnectionisfoundbetweenTaoismandhumanpsychologythroughtheconceptofleadershipdevelopedbyMaslow.

However,therearecertainimplicationsofTaoistleadership.

First, modern scholars are less aware about Maslow’s theory of leadership.Taoismoffersabroadperspectiveforacademic,social,andbehavioralpurposes.Second, Taoism helpsmodern leaders to practice effective leadership. Taoismmayfillthevoidinthewesternphilosophyofmanagingpeople.Third,researchstudiesbasedonTaoist leadershiphighlightsempirical investigationsofsocial,behavioral and management sciences. Next, studies on Taoism reduce humanconflict. The Taoist principles create harmony of the self with the nature andotherlivingbeings.Today’sworldisakintoaglobalvillageandtheinhabitantsdwellonnumeroushumanandenvironmentalconcerns.Perhaps,Taoismisthemostvaluableassetfortheglobalinhabitants.

EMBRACINGTAOISMATAOISTPERSPECTIVEOFLIFE.TheWestbelieveslifetobeajourneyguidedbymoralpracticestoachieveitsgoals.Thewesternlifestyleisgovernedbycertaingoalstofulfillanindividual’slife. The Taoist philosophy refrains from goals and achievement. Instead, theTao emphasizes on the natural flow of events to shape an individual. TheprinciplesoftheTaoassociatewitheverymomentoflifeasapleasantjourney.It does not define a particular purpose of life. Instead, it teaches people toexperienceeachmoment.

Thisviewoflifecontradictsthewesternview,thusthepeoplelivingintheWestsometimesareconfusedinunderstandingtheTao.Taoismestablisheslifeasapathtobetravelledwithoutexpectinganyresults.Itembraceseverymomentoflife.

TAOISMHELPSAPERSONFACINGMIDLIFECRISIS:The Taoist philosophy liberates a person of managing relationships andassociationswithrestrictionsandunreasonableexpectations.Itdiscardsthepressures imposed by institutional beliefs that suppress the natural andspontaneousactionsofanindividual.

The principles ofTaoism emphasize an individual to adopt the virtue ofpersonalacceptance.Itguidesanindividualtounderstandandembracethepresentmoment.Ithelpspeopletocomeoutoftheirpast.Taoismenablesapersontoforgetthepastsinsandmoveforwardindependently.Ifyouareexperiencing a crisis in life, you must practice the Taoist principles tomove forward rather than brood about the past with a feeling of regret.Moreover,youmustnotattachexcessiveimportancetothefuture.

In the absence of a definite goal, aTaoist explores a certainway of lifebasedongracefulacceptanceofother’sactionsthatdefineeachaspectoftheirlives.

Taoism helps individuals develop a good sense of humor. Person canstrivetomakehimselfaperfectindividual.Inthisprocess,peoplecommitmistakes;aTaoistlearnstoembracesuchmistakes.Ifanindividualcannotview his mistakes humorously, he is unable to embrace personalacceptance,thefirstprincipleofTaoism.Agracefulemotionisdevelopedwhen a person is aware about his personal mistakes and moves alongwithoutcommittingthesamemistakes.

The Taoist philosophy teaches an individual to embrace the heaven. ATaoist is able to experience heaven in his normal life, contradicting thewesternphilosophyofheavenasthefuturegoal.

Taoistsbelieveintheconceptofheavenasaspiritualcomponentoflife.Itteaches people to live life by developing the spiritual grace. Taoismteachestheconceptofheavenonthebasisofindividualperceptiontofindpersonal peace. People facing a life crisis should adopt a simpleunderstandingoftheselfconflictingissuestoresolvethempeacefully.

Taoism emphasizes on patience. People usually become impatient whentheyachievetheirgoalshastily.Taoismdoesnotattachanyrelevancewithtime. Therefore, it helps a person accept the nature of the turbulentsituationtoarriveatapeacefulsolution.

PHASESOFMIDLIFETRANSFORMATION

Asimpleunderstandingofamidlifecrisisisthethoughtaboutthenatureofanindividual. The inherent philosophy of Taoism considers human beings as anamalgamationofmind,body,soulandspirit.Amidlifecrisisaffectsthesefouraspects in life. Thus, an individual needs to resolve each aspect separately toarriveatalogicalconclusion.

Taoism teachesyou to freelyexperimentwith theprobablepracticesandchoose the appropriate one to resolve the crisis. A Taoist learns theunexpected truthswhile learning about appropriate solutions.ATaoist isnotawareabouttherightpractice;insteadheexploresthenatureuntilhisdiscoverysuitstheappropriatemoment.

Taoismmakes an individual aware about thedynamicsof thenature.Aseventschangewithtime,oneneedstoalterthepersonalpracticestosatisfyyourneeds.ATaoistexploresvariouspracticesinhislife.

Taoismbelievesthatthereisnoperfectpractice;hence,Taoistsattachtheirpersonalmeaning to thevariousprinciples.Taoismdoesnotconsider thepracticeasanactualmeaningoflife.Apracticeisaguidingfactortohelponemoveforwardinlife.

As perceptions vary from one person to the other, there is a shift in theequilibrium of truth and deception for every individual. This principlehelpsaTaoist todiscover theperspectiveof life thathelpshimassociatewiththenature.ATaoistwelcomesconceptsandnewideswhileexploringlife.

Thefinalphaseblendsthefouraspectsoflifetoachieveasingleharmony.Atthispointoflife,anindividuallearnstheartofacceptance.

AREFLECTIONOFCHANGE

Taoism emphasizes an individual to focus on self-exploration. Following thisway, a person is able to spend time and energy in understanding the personaloutlookandestablisharelationshipoftheselfwiththebiggerworld.Toeffectachangein thesociety,onemustchangehimselffirst.Anattempt tochangethewaysoftheworldmayhampertheprocessofself-enlightenment.Alternatively,the process of self-explorationmay enhance the phenomenon of changing thesociety. For instance, the Buddha travelled several years in the search of asolutiontothehumansuffering.Whilediscoveringhisownpath,hedevelopedapathforothersthatservedasasystemofchangingtheentireworld.

THESYMBOLOFYIN/YANGSYMBOLDatingbackto2500yearsago,theYin/YangprincipleofTaoismwasdepictedas a circular symbol that gainedworldwide recognition.Currently, the symbolfeaturesonjewelry,clothingandalsousedasacorporatelogo.

Since the Taoist philosophy is based on a holistic concept of reality, theYin/Yang symbol represents the concept –UniversalOneness.The symbol hashalf white and half black colors alternating in the single circle. Each colorrepresentsanoppositepolaractivity.Thedualityofeverynaturalphenomenonisexpressed as a single principle having opposite manifestations, and not as anindependent phenomenon. Neither color dominates the circle, i.e. everyphenomenon is present in a balanced proportion in the universal nature. Forinstance, both night and day play an important role in equal proportions forsurvivaloflivingbeingsinnature.Completedaylightordarknesswillcauseanupheaval. The colors follow a rotational pattern, implying the ever-changingdynamics of nature. For instance, day moves to night, and vice-versa. Theserepresentations illustrate the much required balance of opposites to achieveharmony in life. The balance between the forces of Yin and Yang play animportantroleinChinesemedicalsciences.

A comprehensive understanding of the yin/yang symbol paves theway for anindividual’slife.Thesymbolincludesaparticularlinebetweenthetwocoloredareas;theperfectcontourdifferentiatingthecolors.Itrepresentstheimportanceofaclearunderstandingoftheaspectsoflife.Clarityofpurposeisnecessarytodevise an appropriate action.Youmay expect certain chaotic situations, but aTaoistmustembracesuchsituationspatientlytofindaprobablesolution.

Acleardistinctionshouldbemadebetweenpurityandclarity.Aclearviewpointand careful navigation must be free from unrealistic expectations. Absolutepurity is represented by a smallwhite spot present in the black portion and ablackdotinwhiteportionofthesymbol.ATaoistembracestheoppositeforcesto lead a happy life. Taoism seeks a harmony of opposite forces, rather thanunrealisticpurity.Aclearunderstandingoftheyin/yangrepresentationisappliedinthemental,physicalandmetaphysicalstudies.

Ontheintellectualfront,thesymbolisavaluableassettosortouttheprioritiesof life and ease the decision-making process. The mind finds it easier tounderstandwhat is not desired; thus,making a clear understanding of desiredaspectsoflife.Exploringtheoppositefrontofthephenomenonsuggestsaneasypathforenlightenmentcomparedtothedirectapproach.

Amajordrivingforceoflifeistheinevitabilityofdeath.Asitisuncontrollable,peoplefeardeathandlossofsomeoneclosetoourlife.Therotationalpatternofthecolorsofthesymbolmakesusawareofthefactthatdeathmarksthereturnofthesoultoitsoriginaldwelling.

TAOISMINPSYCHOTHERAPYCertain Taoist principles are applied as effective counseling techniques. Theterm synchronicity demonstrates the coincidences in the life of an individual,where a person attaches meaning to such events. As a therapeutic measure,clientshavereactedpositivelyastheyassociatethemselveswiththenature;theybecomeapartof thedynamicworld tofindameaningfulpurposeof life.CarlJungdescribedarchetypesasbehavioralpatternsbasedonnatural instincts.Heemphasizedonthebalanceofconsciousandunconsciouspartsoftheindividualmind to heal mental disorders. Several counseling techniques utilize theprinciple of Taoism, such as analytical psychotherapy, transpersonalpsychotherapy,cognitivetherapy,andperson-centeredtherapy.Somecognitivetherapiesincorporatetheprincipleofyin/yangtounderstandanintuitivelevelofmentalconsciousness.

AbrahamMaslowsuggestedtherapiesonthebasisoftheprinciplesofTaoism.Hemaintained that a therapyuses thenaturalprinciplesofTaoism forhealingpurposes. The therapist waits patiently to observe any kind of change in thebehavior of the client. He guides the client in a process of self-realization.Maslow believed the therapistmustmake the clients accept the psychologicaldiscomfort and pain as a component of the inner self, as a step to developfurther.Thefeelingofacceptancehelpstheclientrecalltheeventswithoutbeinginvolvedinegoissuesandwithreducedpsychologicalintensity.

CognitivetherapiesimplementTaoismtocreateabalancebetweenyangandyininthebusinessworld.Thisapproachhelps theclientunderstandtheprocessofchange. The model represents the changing effect of each subsystem of theorganization.TheTaoist principle of being idle is implemented in the person-centered therapeutic process.Both economic and human factors act in tandemwith the internalandexternal forcesofhumannature. Due toachange in thesubsystem, the economic and human relationships enhance the working of anorganizationbycreatingabalancebetweentheforces.ThedonothingprincipleinTaoismisalsopracticedinperson-centeredtherapy.

TheTaoistprinciplesconstituteanintegralpartofseveralcounselingapproachesintheWest.Taoismemphasizesthetruthofoneselfaswellasthebalanceintheuniversalnature.SeveraltherapieshavebeendevelopedbasedontheprinciplesoftheTaothatareintegratedwiththewesterntherapeuticmethods.

THELIFEOFATAOTaoismestablishespractices,whichifincludedinanindividual’slifeguideshimtoleadalongandhealthylife.But,forhowlong?AncientstoriesregardTaoismasasecretofenjoyinglifeforcenturies.OthermythsclaimthattheprinciplesofTaoismenablean individual to live for thousandyears.Scientific researchhasconcludedthatthelifespanofahumanbeingrangesbetween120and130years.ATaoist lives every singledaywithout any expectationsof how longhemaylive.

SECRETOFTAOISTLONGEVITYFirst, the carefree attitude of Taoism does not take account of advancing age.Taoism enables an individual to experience life each day actively. TheharmoniousnatureoftheTaokeepsanindividualstrong,healthyandflexible.Ifapersontriestoextendhislifeunnaturally,thenhewillplacesevererestrictionsonhisnaturalexistence.Thedesireforimmortalityreducestheactualexperienceofliving.

Secondly,agooddiet is thekey toachieveTaoist longevity. Ifyoudonoteatwell,yourhealthwilldeteriorate.Tomaintainahealthybody,youneedtoeatahealthy, varied and balanced diet. Taoist scriptures and texts emphasize ondetails about how, when and what an individual should eat. It also mentionsabout the failure of several diets as they do not change according to thetransformingneedsofanindividual’sbody.

Thehumanbodyrepresentsafurnacethatburnswhatyoueat.Taoismbelievesthat excessive consumption of specific foods e.g. refined sugars, increase thebodyheatandburncaloriesfaster.Somefoodshaveantioxidantsthatreducetheburning rate of the body cells. But, you shouldmaintain a balance; excessiveamountofantioxidantsisharmfulasthehumanbodyiscapableofsustainingamediumlevelofburnrate.

Taoism emphasizes on the consumption of specific foods such as bok choy,greentea,yogurt,plumsandbrownrice.However,noparticularfoodpossessesperfectlybalancednutritiousingredientstosustainlifeforever.ATaoistfollowsthenatureofthebodyandconsumesamixtureofnutrientstodevelopahealthybody.

TheprinciplesofTaoismdonotpermittheconsumptionofmeatasitreferstothe ill-treatment of another life.This does not imply that an individual shouldbecome a vegetarian. It is essential to respect the food chain. If a plant or ananimal undergoes torture and pain in the growth process, the fear, stress andimbalancedgrowthwillbepushedextremely.Toconsumesuchfoodimpliestheconsumption of its fear and stress into our body. This action hampers theexpectation of a long life; an individual ultimately includes fear and inhumanpractices in his life. For instance, the consumption of tainted beef is a majorcause of Mad Cow disease. The inhuman industrial practices transform thecultureandlifeofaTaoist.ThelifeofaTaoistisreduced.Itpreventsahealthy

lifeandreduceslongevityforalllivingbeings.ATaoistbelieveseveryelementofnatureisinterrelatedandconnectedtotheTao.Allactionsareinterdependent.To ensure longevity, onemust treat food respectfully as one respects his ownbody. Taoism teaches us the practice of respecting food and its intake withbalanceandmoderation.

Thirdly, longevity depends on listening to the natural self.Distractions, goals,desires, ideals, expectations and visions compete, work and try to make youprobablyfollowthebetterpath.Alltheclutterandnoisedistractsanindividual.How is it possible to attain longevitywhen a person is always preoccupied tomoveintunetothelargerworld?Taoismurgesanindividualtoleadalongandhealthy life and moves forward according to the natural flow of the subtlepersonalindications.

PriortounravelingthefourthsecrettoTaoistlongevity,youneedtoanswerthefollowingquestionshonestly:

Do you consume green tea, or have an inclination towards diet cokecommercials?

Doyoumeasureyourbreathaccordingtotheheartbeats?

Doesyourbodyfollowapropertimetable?

Doyouprefertowearyourfather’sshoesorwalkbarefoot?

Haveyouspentlifefortheselforforotherpeople?

Longevitydoesnothaveanysignificance,unlessyouknowyourself.Fourthly,exercise is another factor contributing to the longevity of the Tao. Physicalactivity is very important as it keeps the body active and subtle. Qigongexercises are one such practice that optimally increases the strength of anindividualtoremainphysicallyactiveforhisentirelife.Youmustremembertowork in sync with the self while engaging the body in a physical activity.Taoismbelievesthatanindividualcanmastertheactivitieswithmoderateeffort.ATaoistdoesnotpronouncehisbodystrengthorphysique.Helookstopossessanordinaryappearanceexternally.Yet,hisbodyandmusclesareflexible,tonedandderivestrengthandendurancefromthesepractices.TheimportantstatementofTaoTeChingsays,“ATaoistMasterdancesthroughlife,nevertofightlifeortheirownbody.”

Next,theattitudeofanindividualplaysanimportantroleindeterminingTaoist

longevity.Ifyouviewyourbodytobeanopponentandwishtodominateit,theattitudewilllimityourlife.Excessiveresistancetotheworldwillbeharmfulastheworldresistsaccordingly.Theuniverseislargeandpowerfulcomparedtoanindividual,hence,ifapersoncontinuouslyfightsforhislifehewilllosealways.Itwillbringapersondown.It isproper todefendyourself,asanotherformofexercise is resistance.However, excessive defense against the universalworlderodesthehumanenatureofanindividual.

Imaginehowgranitetransformsintosandneartheseashore.Taoismbelievesinan individual leading his life with less amount of stress. Stress is one of themajorfactorscontributingto theeffectsofprematureaging.ATaoist lives lifewithlessstressandgoodhumor.13395words

InculcatingaspiritualpracticeisthesixthelementpromisingTaoistlongevity.Ahumanbeingismorethanonlybodyandmind.Anindividualconsistsofthreeelements–body,mindandspirit.Auniquedefinitionofspiritisrepresentedbytheactions inour life.Spiritualpracticesmaintainabalancebetween thebodyand mind. It is a practice which enables an individual to find peace byassociating with the Self. Taoism believes in a vibrant and healthy spiritual;practice. Spiritual practices are amixture of actionswith intent and exploringmysteries in an individual’s life. However, there is no particular spiritualpractice toassociatewith theTao.Eachpersonmustdefineandrediscover themeaningof thepracticeoveracertainperiod. Ifan individualwishes to leadalong,healthylife,thenapracticemotivateshimtoenjoysuchalife.

At this stage, the various types of Taoism branch out. Several variationsestablishthedifferentformsofspiritualpractices.Itisnotonlyamerefactorofdistinguishing between the philosophical and religious kinds of Taoism. Itinvolvesafundamentalprocesswhereanindividualexploresthecompletionofexistence in relation to the bigger world, whether it is a philosophy, science,religion or magic. The difference between these forms of Taoism is derivedfromthepredeterminedcompositionofphilosophy,science,religionandmagicthatformsasabasisofstudyingTaoism.TheamazingpartisthatalltheoriesonTaoism agree on the naturalTao.Taoists view the different spiritual practiceswithutmostrespect.AllTaoistsbelieveinasinglefactofacceptingthenatureoftheTao.

TaoistLongevity is also determined by the prevention of addiction.Addictionrefers to a method of self-destruction. Taoism believes addiction to be the

redefining of a void with an object placed external of your nature. A Taoistbelieveslifeisaprocessoflivingyourself.Certainaddictiveproductsmaysolveyour problems temporarily. For instance, drugs shift the balance of a humanmindtoadoptsocialnorms.Adigitallifestylemayhelpanindividualtorecreatehimself or pass time during a hard day’s work. For instance, television helpsrelieve the tensions and stress experienced at the workplace. However, theseartificialaddictionsdestroytheuniquenatureofanindividual.

Herearesomepoignantquestionstohelpyoureflectonyourpresentlife?

Supposeyou live for100years.Youwatched televisionallyour life;doyouthinkyouhavelivedlifecompletely?

Ifyoudie,duetoexcessivealcohol,attheageof50;doyoufeelyoulivedanythingbutanalcoholiclife?

DoestheabsenceofinsanityhelpincreatingartisticmasterpiecessuchasstarrynightbyVincentVanGogh?

Therefore,tolivelife,youmustleadyoulifeonyourowntermsandconditions.Itisnoteasytolivealonglife.Youfacechallengescontinuouslyandthemeansofstruggledevelopanddefinetheshapeofanindividual.TemptationsofseveraladdictionscancausedifficultiesinthepathofaTaoist’slife.ATaoistbelievesinembracethelifehehasbeengiftedbyGod.

Next, the secret of living helps in the longevity of a Taoist’s life. Taoismbelieves that an individual should explore and enjoy while figuring out thesecretsoflife.Bynow,youhavegotenoughinformationtothinkinthecorrectdirection. Onceyoustartpracticingtheseideasinyourlife,youshallbegintoenjoyunraveling the severalmysteries of life.Youwill experience a healthierbody,aclearmindandimprovedwisdom.Youneedtoactaccordinglytoenjoythe experience of the Tao. In this way, you will reveal and fulfill the actualmeaningofyourlife.

AlongwiththesesecretsofTaoistlongevity,therearethreetraditionsexistingintheChinesephilosophy.

First,youmustsearchforaTaoisttempleormastertounderstandTaoism.Itwilltake approximately a decade or 20 years to completely study and understandTaoism. Secondly, you need to unlearn everything that you have learnt fromyour experiences before studyingTaoism. It usually takes a period of 7 to 14years to create a harmonybetween the self and thenature. In this period, you

mustletgoalltherelationshipsandrecedeyourmindtoMotherNature.Finally,youmustlearntoacceptlifeasitis,andbereceptivetothevariousinstancesinyour life. No single way offers all the secrets of Taoism; however each pathexploresafullandwell-livedlifeoveracertainperiod.EachpathisacceptableinTaoism.Eachtraditionsuitscertainpersonalities.Nosinglepathcanensurealonglifeunlessanindividualapproachesitbeingtruetohisnature.Inanageofrandomsolutionswithjustasingleclick,thepracticeofTaoismrequiresalotoftime,patienceandperseverance.

INVINCIBLETAOISMMETAPHYSICSOFTHETAOAncient Chinese philosophy regards Taoists as thinkers who studied themetaphysicsof theTao.Theorthodoxviewdistinguishes theTaoists from theancient moral philosophers on the basis of the metaphysical uses of the Tao.However, the traditional methods do not maintain that there is a separatemeaningforthetermTao.Instead,acarefulanalysisofthemetaphysicaluseoftheTaoremovestheintenttocreateaseparatemeaningoftheterm.

The metaphysical observations that the Tao lacks any beginning or end, isomnipotent,thatitislikefishinwater,andmanyothersseemcontrastingaswellas implyingadifferentmeaning.ThenatureofTaoisacentralconcept;hencewemustmotivatestatementsthatdonotrequireattachinganyreligiouscontextwithsuchstatements.

NATUREOFTHETAOThe nature of the Tao should have a consistent meaning that specifies thedifferenttheoriesancientthinkersdisagreedabout.ThenatureofTaoassumesapositiontodiscusstheissuesfacedbyancientChinesephilosophers.Metaethicalquestions refer to the varied reflections of the Tao but it is not limited. Byaddressingmetaethical issues, scholars tend to study the characteristics of thereflectionsof theTao.Taoistsmayberegardedasskeptics,monists, relativistsor mystics. The first-stage Taoist philosophers may theorize and drawinferencesaboutsuchmetaethicalreflections.AmetaphysicalaccountofTaoismisdifficult.Theoutcomemaybeobscure.

AncientWesternmetaphysicswasbasedonevidenceandtheapproachinvolvedan appearance-reality caricature as well as establishing the issues ofmetaphysics. Epistemology and metaphysics boost each other in the study ofWestern philosophy. Dualism and Idealism and dualism refer to the obviousexamples thatcombineepistemicandmetaphysicalviews.Epistemologyviewsthe positive critics ofmetaphysics as lacking cognition as itwants to observereal descriptions in the absence of empirical testing. The exit actions of thechangesoftheworldserveasastrongbasisforChinesemetaphysics.Itstudieshowrealconceptionsadjustwiththeprincipleofdirectinghumanaction.

Whilestudyingmetaphysicalissues,youmustnotconsiderthatTaoistsrefertothe reality in terms of the Western viewpoint – independent of experience,beliefsandconceptions.With thisdifferenceonemust avoid the inclination toplacemetaphysicalinstancesintotherealandfamiliarstructure.

THECONCEPTUALCONTEXT

Differences between the concepts of ancient Chinese philosophy and theconcepts of Indo-European culture cause problems in determining themetaphysicsoftheTao.ThemajordifferenceliesintheabsenceoftheWesternconcept of knowledge, belief and inference along with reason, truth andinference.TheChinesethinkersattributedcommitmentstorepresentdispositionof suggesting inner representations of the external realities of theworld.Theyhadn’t used a clear ideaof sentences thatwoulddemarcate the clarity and thebroadconstructionofsentencesandthediscourseoftheTao.

TheChinesegrammaralsodetermines thenatureof theTao.First, there isnodistinction between singular and plural words; hence, it is assumed thereferences of the Tao are for the masses. Secondly, the language does notcontain definite or indefinite articles; the traditional translations use a definitearticle‘the’ tostateoccurrences of theTaowhere thecontextof thenatureofTao is considered. Scholars suggest using the term in plural form implicitly.Thirdly,thetermTaoisalsoutilizedasverbintheChineselanguage.Scholarsbelieve that verbal use of the term should refer to as a method to express aguidingprinciple.

AncientChinesethinkersviewedtheTaoasabig,almostuniversalcommunityof human beings. However, Taoist texts and scriptures attract attention to theTaoofmusicians,thieves,skilledlaborersetc.theconceptofTaoisnotconfinedto a regularmoral discourse, but to a practical discourse that includes naturalelementsofhumannature.

WHATDOESTAOMEAN?Themeaningofthetermisquitesimple,despitetheviewthattheTaoreferstoanimpenetrableEasternmystery.TheuniversaltranslationoftheChinesetermmeans ‘way’. Some scholars believe that the Tao refers to the absence ofaccident. Both the concepts have an affinity in the meaning, except the term‘way’maintainsanexplicitgrammatical individualityanddoesnotappearasaverb.

ToobtainthemetaphysicsoftheTao,youmayarriveatarationala)availingtheconceptusedbytheChinesethinkersaswellasb)studytheimportantissuesoftheir philosophical knowledge. The objective is to reconstruct the manifestedhistoryof the ancient concepts involving inference andphilosophical issues tocombinewiththenaturalnormativeconcepts.

ScholarsnotethatwordsusedtodefinetheTaoarefamiliarandunproblematicuntil we utilize them for semantic representation emphasizing on the Chinesephilosophy. It doesnotmean thatphilosophers in theWestdonot employ theterm; they do use it, but not innocently. People divided in a particular wayusually conform to the predetermined ways; however, they also explore anddevelop their own ways to evolve, in order to revise the descriptions andclassifications.Theelevatorwordssuchas facts, truthandrealitywereseldomusedbytheChinesephilosophers.Ironically,theelevatortermsusedintheWestwere usually those that were either innocent or absent in the philosophicalliteraturewrittenbytheChinesephilosophers.

A ray of hope stems from the ironic contrast of the term in theWestern andChinese philosophy. Interpreters are aware that the Tao is regarded as anelevatorword,andseeksacounterpartfromtheWesternphilosophy.Thus,thisexplanation makes the Tao a counterpart of truth, reason belief and ultimatereality,thetermsconsideredaselevatorwordsintheWesternphilosophy.

THINGSOFTHETAOApartfromthemotivation,scholarsaimtoreasonthenatureoftheTaousingtheconcepts available to the ancient Chinese philosophers. The westernphilosophersconsiderthetermtobeanormativeoneastheWesternphilosophyfocusesonexittransitions.It isimportanttounderstandthedifferencebetweenthetermandtheconceptofnormativity.Chinesephilosophersdidnotconsiderlaws,principles,andnormswhilestudyingtheTao.Tothem,theTaoisanaturalwaytoactoraguidingprincipleofanindividual’sactions.

TounderstandTaoor‘way’youmustobservethecontinuousflowofactivitiesbetweenmaking a road,marking the path, noting the directions, or carving amap.Thus,themetaphysicsoftheTaoisalsotermedasaguidingdiscourse.

EXAMPLESOFTAOWecannotseekadefiniteanswertoseparatetheTao.Tofocusontheissueofthemetaphysics of theTaowe shall consider the example given byMunro inConfucianism.Munrousestheterm‘modelemulation’tostatethatConfuciusinorder to rectify names and uses the appropriate language. The passage ofConfucianism ends with the lines, “Thus when an exemplary person uses aname, it can surely be spoken, andwhen spoken it can surely be acted upon.Thereisnothingcarelessintheattitudeoftheexemplarypersontowhatissaid.”Themetaphysicalstateofanactionrepresentstheroadtobetravelled.

NON–INDIVIDUATIONOFTHETAOInsteadofspecifyingtheindividualTao,weobservetwoperspectives.TheTaomaybeconsideredaninterpretationofsomeaction,orsomeacttobeperformedinterpretively.Youobservetwodifferentviewstoadoptthesamesetofactionsor events. These actions are explained for speech and it can be applied as agesture,chant,dance,ritualoranyotherbehaviorsuitableforacertainpractice.Acommunityrelatedtothatpracticeexistswhenitsmembersadaptbothtypesofattitudestotheactionsofoneanother.

These viewpoints are normative aswell as descriptive. TheTao is considereddescriptivewhentheactionsareapracticalinterpretationofyourownbehavior.The Tao is normative when the actions are accepted or endorsed by thecommunity or when an individual’s actions form a binding principle on theactionsofothers.Peopleusuallyintendtheiractionstoconformtotheirdutiesaswell as follow the practices performed by others, regardless of whether youshouldacknowledgeyouractionstobetheguidingprincipleforothers.

Taoisregardedasadiscoursewhentheactionsareviewedasinterpretations;itis regardedasaperformancewhen theactionsof theTaoareevaluated.Sincetwo different attitudes develop to study the attitude of the Tao, Chinesephilosophers did not consider the attitudes to bemetaphysically different.ThenormativeanddescriptivetypesoftheTaoareconsideredasevaluativeattitudes,whichareexpressesasshi-feii.e.judgment.

Usually,amusicalpiece,orscriptureisregardedasadiscourseTao,whichcanbeexecutedorinterpretedinthetermsofaperformance.ItcanalsoberegardedasasubjectofskepticisminrelationtoConfucianism.

The Chinese philosophers considered the study of moral conduct of a humanbeing.Thenormativeconceptassociatesvariouskindsofbehaviorandphysicalstructuresasaguidingprincipleoftheactionsofahumanbeing.DiscourseTaoemphasizesontheinterpretationofthehumanbehavior.RecentscholarssuchasMcDowell and Brandom faced challenges to express how norms can bedeveloped as facts that can justify the moral practices. Chinese philosopher,Mozi argued that he will not define morality simply because the traditionalsociety required doing so. He expresses his approach using the traditionallanguage to question the nature of the Tao and clarify doubts regarding theConfucianprincipleoftheguidingTao.Heusesthetermshi-feitodescribethe

knowledgeofadisputeoverdistinctionofconcepts.Heusestheterm’ming’torepresentachievementofmasteringshi-feiaccurately.

The normative and interpretive method of explicating action and guidance,witnessed in ancient China alongwith the vague concept of individuating theTao helps us understand how the relativist, skeptical, monist and mysticalconceptoftheTaoemergedinthemetaethicalphilosophyofChina.

ANALYSISOFTHETAOMozi emphasizes the need of Tian, the relationship of nature and sky, as thecentralcomponentofthenormativetheoriesoftheTao.TiancannotescapetheTao in away similar to a ruler’s edictsor agroup’s convention.HeconsidersTian as a solution to both the concepts of understanding the Tao. Tianexemplifies the difference between harm and natural preference for benefits.ThisimplicationsupportsthenaturalinclinationsoftheTao.AnyindividualwholearnstofollowtheTaopresumessomenaturalpathtoacquireaswellasfollowit.

TheZhuangziemphasizesontheTaoasaconceptofinterdependence.Thereisno clear distinction of motivation and justification, causes and reasons. Theoperational standard of theTian is not evident as theTao leads individuals toadopttheirownwayofchoosingandfollowingtheTao.Hence,theTaocanbeaway to choose and interpret actions both developing into a discourseTao thatcanbeeasilyidentified.

We embrace the Tao as a natural phenomenon of acquiring, mastering andselecting the discourse Taos generated by the common society. In a normalactivityguidedbytheTao,thestateoftheTaoispredetermined.

It is essential to realize that Mohist principles, while it offers a technique toanalyze the Tao, it differs from the Taoist analysis. The Mohists developedinnovationsinthelanguagetoappealtheTian,theTaoandcreateanidealstateoftheTao,andnotthespecificTaoistprinciples.

Hence, we have adequate basis to comprehend the existence of the Taoeverywhere that is inescapableanddoesnothaveanexplicitmeaningassuch.TheMohists’modelofthenormativeanalysisoftheTaoisapplicabletobothaninterpretation of the discourse transforming into a performance as well asevaluatingperformancesasacertain‘way’ofthediscourseTao.Thelanguageseems to be contextual while interpreting the ‘benefit’ of the Tao. The Taoemphasizes more on its performance since analytical tests determine theappropriate discourse Tao. The real Tao establishes a standard that works tojudgethenatureoftheTaoanddiscussesthenatureasanoperationalstandardaswellastheconceptinwhichanindividualachievessuccessornot.

Zhuangzi suggested that context is an equally important participant in theprocess of guiding the Tao. It is as essential as the explicit meaning of the

discourse.Anykindofbehavior,weusually assume theotherTaobesides theTaoinview,i.e.theTaoofselectingthefirstorderTaoandthewaytointerpretit. The notion of Te (virtuosity) in performance is dependent on the contextalongwiththecriteriaofreal-timesuccess.AnactinvolvingmanyTaosislikelytocreateconfusion,notasexperience,butasaguidingprinciple.Thismeaningof theTao synchronizedwith individuation, natural effect and blurred contextcanexplainaholisticviewofasingleTao.

The analysis of Mohists promoted the concept of unity of the Tao. Naturalstandards of benefit-harm are mentioned in the constant nature. Contexts andstandards are predetermined in the constant nature. The principle of searchingthenaturalTao toguide theactionsofhumanbeings is aprobable solution toyieldacollectiveconstantstandardofhumanaffairs. Thisprinciple,however,demandedquickadjustmentstoadapttothecomplexnatureoftheworldactions.The Mohist analysis emphasizes on the outcomes of real performance andencouraged a trend to emphasize the unique nature of the situations of eachaction along with the collective effort of universal reasoning simultaneously.Somemoralthinkersfollowedsuithowever,driftedawayfromthediscoursetoaspecificintuitioncreatedtoguideaconcreteprocess.Nevertheless,theyagreedto the reasoning of what type of behavior was associated with the naturalstandardsrangingfromtheuniversalutilitybelievedbyMozitothepresenceofegoismasmaintainedbyYangZhu.

TheobjectiveoftheMohistanalysiswastodevelopanormoraformulatobeestablishedasastandardofreforming,choosingoranyotheractioninrelationtothe constant discourse, the content of which will not change regardless oflocation or time. It is viewed as a discourse involving operational interpretivestandardspracticingawaythatisunequivocal.Neitherinterpretationnorcontentshouldchangewithdifferentschoolsof thought.Theimplicitobjectivecateredtoevadenormalintuitiveprocess,butitemphasizedonperformanceasaresultofspecialintuitionofchoosingtheTao.

PHILOSOPHICALROADBLOCKSZhuangzidoesnotmentionYangZhuorMencius in thehistoryofTaoism. Itpresents the philosophy of Lao-Tze and Mozi. Shen Dao, a Chinese thinkerbelieves in a stage of reduction of Mohist analysis and the concept ofintuitionism.TheprinciplegivenbyShenDaoandTaoismrejectingtheMohistanalysis isacrucialstep towards thedevelopmentofametaethicaldialecticofancient China. ShenDao coined the term ‘Great Tao’ that refers to the total,actual process, i.e. the real historical world. He believes it is not required toacquiretheknowledgeoftheguidingprinciplesinordertofollowtheGreatTao.HeemphasizesinexploringandrealizingtheGreatTao,asconceived,withoutanynormativeforce.ZhuangzipointsoutthataccordingtoShenDao;Taoisareferencepointfordeadpeople.

ThenatureoftheTaorepresentsatokenperformanceoftheSelf,andwiththeabsenceofanormativeforceitdoesnotactasaguidingprinciple.Tofollowaguiding principle, we require another source giving normative directions toselect an action. The metaethical viewpoint would undermine the notion ofnaturalconstancy.The instructionofconforming tonaturalconstancydoesnotofferaguidingprinciple.WeknowabouttheTaoofnature;howeveritdoesnothelp us in choosing the Tao. The option of Qiwu Lun can be interpreted toexpressthisinsight.Similarly,thenormativeTaocompetesforchoosingtherealguidingprinciplesofTian.Wenaturallygenerate thewayof talkingandmakedistinctions to choose the appropriate behavior. The nature’s appeal does notresolvetheproblemofchoosingarivalTao.

Hence, traditional Taoists adopt the Tao, and not the Tian, as their guidingprinciple.However,ifwedonotreadnatureaccuratelyandexecuteouractionsor perform the Tao, it will not offer proper guidance. Appropriate guidanceneeds a combination of discourse and nature. Natural themes mentioned inZhuangzi create the insight of the extended reflection of the confusing andcomplexinterrelatednaturalandsocialviewofthehumanbeingsandnature.

AsimilarexplanationresultsintheZhuangzirejectingtheconceptofintuition.TheZhuangzi states thatwe need to choose intuition as our guiding principleamong the alternative ways to conduct our behavior and also choose theintuitions that will be able to grant such authority. Shen Dao concluded thatGreatTaocannotbeachievedwithoutassumingtheTao.

TaoismclearlyavoidsagainstthechoiceoftheTaoconflictingwiththenature.It states, “do not let the human harm the natural", otherwise it rejects theauthority of intuition and Tian.Usually, the authority to interpret and choicesdependon theassumedTao.Tiancannotarriveatanyparticularchoiceof theTao.Zhuangziattempts todevelopequilibriumof theemphasisofdependencyonsocialTaoandtheinsightofusinganyTao.

On the contrary, Lao Tzu believes no Tao is constant in nature. Themetaphysical analysis insist that the Tao is resembles an object but is not anobjectofanaturalkind.TheseanalysesdenythattheTaoisanaturalpathandnot an affirmation. The Tao guides the behavior, language and our way ofobservingthingsnaturallyinaparticularwaytolivesensibly.

Finally,wedonothaveaclearmetaphysicalsolutionofindividuatingtheTao;we can clearly comprehend the nature of the Tao. The Tao is not an object;though its aspects may be perceived as a road, map, musical score or aninstructionbooklet.TheGreatTaoisaprocess,butirrelevantforthechoiceswemake in our life.Natural Taos represent the limits of the probable choices; itdoesnotactasaguideusinarrivingatadecision.TheTaoisnotrestrictedbylanguageoranydiscourseexceptwhenitismentionedintheextendedsensetointerprettheTaoasaperformanceofbehavior.

The Tao is a combination of natural elements, but never comprises of merereceptivity. A social discourse needs interpretation of the Tao along with theunderstanding the natural Tao. Normative Tao is blended in the guidingprinciplesoftheTao.It isnotaresultoftheexistenceofsomesocialpractice,and it does not require one. The social practices of theTao are interpreted asactionsthatpronouncetheTao.Theseactionsareevaluatedasrightorwronginrelation to the performances of the Tao of writing the Tao. The choice of anappropriate Tao is evaluated as a Tao performing to choose another Tao. AnactioninterpretsthechosenTao.

TAOISMASSEENBYLAOTZUAlthoughsaints,hermitsandasceticssuchasShenTaowerethefirstpeopletowrite the Tao; in 6th century B.C., an ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzupropounded the concept of Taoism. Often, scholars believe Taoism to be acontrary of Confucianism; others believe that Tao Te Ching is a record ofparadoxical verses composed by Taoists under the name of Lao Tzu.A closerelationshiphasbeenestablishedbetweentheEmperorHuangTiandLaoTzu.

Historians and ancient legends state Lao Tzu served as a safeguard of theimperial archives. At the age of 80 years, Lao Tzu travelled to the westernChineseborder(nowadaysknownasTibet),disillusionedandsadaboutthefactthattheChinesedidnotwishtoachievenaturalgoodness.AttheHankPass,aguard named Yin Xi urged Lao Tzu must record the teachings for futuregenerationsbeforeleavingthecountry.Atthistime,LaoTzubeganwritingtheTaoTeChing.

Regardlessofthetruth,peopleneedtosimultaneouslyunderstandConfucianismand Taoism as two different responses to political, social and philosophicalconditionsofthelivesoftheancientChinese.While,Confucianismemphasizeson social relations, human society and behavior, Taoism emphasizes on amysticalandindividualisticcharacterthatishighlyinfluencedbythenature.

LaoTzu believed things created unnatural behavior (wei) due to the intent ofdesires (yu). The understanding of the nomenclature of the doctrine termsestablishesadistinctionbetweenbadandgood,uglyandbeautiful,highorlow,action and non-action or being and non-being. These terms give shape to theindividual desires. Abandoning the knowledge resulted in abandoning names,tastes, distinctions and desires. The outcomewas development of spontaneousbehavior.

The philosophy of Taoism can be summarizedwith a quotementioned in theChuangTzu:

"Toregardthefundamentalastheessence,toregardthingsascoarse,toregardaccumulationasdeficiency,andtodwellquietlyalonewiththespiritualandtheintelligent--hereinliethetechniquesofTaooftheancients."

ATaoistelementconstitutesexistentialskepticismthathasbeenobservedintheconceptwrittenbyYangChuin4thcenturyB.C.Hestated,“Whatisthepurpose

of a man’s life?What comprises of pleasure in it? Is a man’s life meant forrichesandbeauty?Doesaman’slifeincludecolorandsound?However,atimecomeswhen riches andbeauty do not suffice the emotional needs any longer,andwhen excessive color and soundbecomes exhaustion for the eyes and theears.

TaoTeChingstates,"Themenofoldknewthatlifecomeswithoutwarning,andassuddenlygoes.Theydeniednoneoftheirnaturalinclinations,andrepressednone of their bodily desires. They never felt the spur of fame. They saunteredthroughlifegatheringitspleasuresastheimpulsemovedthem.Sincetheycarednothing for fameafterdeath, theywerebeyond the law.Fornameandpraise,soonerorlater,alonglifeorshortone,theycarednotatall."

Examining the amazing natural world, Lao Tzu believed that a man and hisactionscaneitherflourishordamagetheotherwisenaturalprocessesandthings.He suggested people should ignore the evil human pursuits and adapt to hisnaturalselfandcreateaharmonywithotherlivingbeings.AfamousverseoftheTaoTeChingstates,

“Thefivecolorsblindtheeye.

Thefivetonesdeafentheear.

Thefiveflavorsdullthetaste.

Racingandhuntingmaddenthemind.

Preciousthingsleadoneastray.”

Hence, a Taoist follows the guiding principle of accepting the things he feelsratherthanthethingshesees.

ThecentralprincipleofachievingtranquilityistheTao,i.e.a‘way’ora‘path’.Te refers to the virtue adopted by an individual and Ching implies the lawsgoverningtheTao.Therefore,theTaoTeChingcanbereferredtoas‘TheLawofVirtueanditsWay’.LaoTzuandotherTaoistsconsidertheTaoasamysticalterm,aformlessandincomprehensiblesourceofthenaturalthings.

TheTao isnotvisible as it hasno form; it is not audible, it hasno sound; itsintangibility does not allow anyone to hold the Tao; in spite of the threeindefinableelement,theTaoissingle.Itisneitherbrightnordark;itcomesbacktoemptiness;itcannotbedefinedandisbeyondimagination.

Itneitherhasabeginningnoranend,youmustmovealongwiththepresentinorder to live life in congruence with the Tao. It is important to acquireknowledgeabouttheancientTaotounderstandtheexistenceoftheTao.

Lao Tzu believed that all the stress and striving will go in vain and becounterproductive.One should strive to achieve the state of nothing (wu-wei).The state ofwu-wei refers to non-action anddonothing, except following thenaturalflowofforcesandactaccordingly.AnindividualmustnotgoagainsttheSelf or the natural order of events. You must encourage and enhance thespontaneousbehaviorandactions.

TheTaoistprinciples,inthisway,helpusunderstandtheprincipleofwu-weiasamethodtomastersituationsandcircumstancesbycomprehendingthenatureofsuch circumstances and shape the actions and behavior accordingly. ThisconcepthasintegratedtheapproachofmovementsinceitoriginatedinTaiChiChuan.

AclearunderstandingoftheTaoexpressesTaoismasaninterestingfield.First,theTaoistsdiscarded the attemptsofConfucianism to control society and life,andpropagatedalonecontemplationofthenaturallife.Onthecontrary,Taoistsemphasized that doing sowouldultimately restrict theuniversal forces.Doingnothing or being idle, an individual can accomplish everything.Aswritten byLaoTzu,

“TheTaoabidesinnon-action,

Yetnothingisleftundone.

Ifkingsandlordsobservedthis,

Thetenthousandthingswoulddevelopnaturally.

Iftheystilldesiredtoact,

Theywouldreturntothesimplicityofformlesssubstance.

Withoutformthereisnodesire.

Withoutdesirethereistranquility.

Inthiswayallthingswouldbeatpeace.”

TheTaoistphilosophyattemptedtocreateawarenessamongtherulers,advisingthemtofollowTaoistprinciplestopracticeefficientgovernance.Insuchaway,Taoismdevelopedasapoliticalphilosophy.Itbelieved,aTaoistdoesnothave

any ambitions, hence he will never fail. And, he who does not fail alwayssucceeds.Moreover,hewhosucceedsbecomespowerful.

ABRIEFNOTEABOUTLAOTZULittle is known about Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, whopropoundedTaoism.HeisoftenknownasLaoTzeorLaozi.NumerousscholarsandresearchersbelieveLaoTzuwasarecordkeeperintheimperialcourtduringthe6thCenturyB.C.undertheruleoftheZhouDynasty.HeisalsoregardedasanoldcotemporaryofanotherfamousChinesephilosopher,Confucius.Itisnotyetcertainthatwhetherthisstatementismythicalorafact.

HistoriansandscholarsbelievethatLaoTzuwastiredofhislifeattheimperialcourt as the people had become morally corrupt. He decided to abandon theservices of the court and travelled to the western border of ancient Chineseempire.Althoughhedisguisedhimself as a farmer, a courtofficial recognizedhimandrequestedhimtowritehisteachings.Thesacredtextsandscripturesarereferred to as theTaoTeChing.Afterwriting this sacred text, LaoTzuwentacrosstheborderandnoonehasrecordedhishistorysincethen.Apparently,itisbelievedthatLaoTzuadoptedthelifeofahermit.Scholarsbelievethatstoriesabout the Tao Te Ching and Lao Tzu have passes across several schools ofthoughtintheChinesephilosophy,datingbacktoaperiodofoverthousandsofyears.

Inthepresentera,thereareaminimumof20millionTaoists,andmorethanhalfa billion, across thewholeworlds, especially hailing fromTaiwan andChina.They practicemeditation, worship various gods, chant sacred texts, and buildTaoisttemples.LaoTzuisreveredbymillionfollowersforseveralthousandsofyears; one of the famous titles being “Supremely Mysterious and PrimordialEmperor” to describe his innate faith in nature and the association of theSelfwiththeTao.TaoistsventureinpilgrimagestothefiveholymountainslocatedateasternChina.TheyprayatTaoisttemplesandgainspiritualforcefromthesesacredplaceswithabeliefthattheseplacesaregovernedbyimmortals.

Taoism is deeply connectedwith other fields of Chinese spiritual philosophy,such as Buddhism and Confucianism. It is often believed that Confucius is adiscipleofLaoTzu.SomescholarsbelievethatLaoTzutravelledtoNepalandIndia,wherehetaughtBuddha.ThepracticesofConfucianismtilldatenotonlyregard Lao Tzu as a great philosophical thinker but try to adapt most of theteachingsproposedbyLaoTzu.LaoTzucomparedthevariouspartsofthenaturewiththedifferentvirtues.Hestatedin theTaoTeChing,“Thebestpeopleare likewater,whichbenefitsall

thingsanddoesnotcompetewiththem.Itstaysinlowlyplacesthatothersreject.This iswhy it is so similar to theWay (Dao).” Each ingredient of the natureremindsusofaparticularqualitythatweadmireandhopetocultivateourselves.For instance, we can adopt certain qualities by observing the resilient trees,strongmountains,andcheerfulflowers.

CONCLUSIONTaoismisanindigenousphilosophyoflifethathasshapedaChineseindividualfor about 2000 years.ATaoist attitude towards life is seen as inculcating thefeelingofacceptanceandperformanceofthecheerfulnatureofanindividual.Ithelps in developing an attitude that complementsmorally and duty-conscious,purposefulandausterecharacteristicsasdescribedbyConfucianism. ATaoistdevelopspositivecharacteristics,activeattitudetoviewthemetaphysicalnatureoftruthandreality,whiletheConfuciantraditionswerepragmaticandagnostic,givingmarginalimportancetotheseissuesanddeniedthereality.

AprecisedefinitionofTaoismincludes:ideas,attitudesandbeliefsasviewedbyLaoTzuthroughthescripturesoftheZhuangzi,Lieziandothersacredtexts.TheTaoist philosophy permeates the ancient Chinese culture that includes severalaspects that are not usually considered to be the Tao. The Taoist principlesconnecttheConfucianprinciplesandthefolktraditions,asitofferspontaneousreactions tan those governedby the laws.Taoist religion andphilosophyhavecarved their niche into theAsian cultures that havebeen influencedbyChina,some of the cultures being fromVietnam,Korea and Japan. Several religioustraditionsinsuchregionsindicatetheearlyinfluenceduetoChineseimmigrantsandtravelersthathavenotyetbeenproved.

Both,ChinesescholarsandWesternSinologistshavemadedistinctionsbetweenthe Taoist philosophy during the Han times, and the Taoist religion thatdeveloped later.These theories arenotvalid anymore as it studied the ancientTaoism that resulted in thedevelopmentof theNeo-Taoist superstitionsof thelaterperiod.TheNeo–Taoist superstitionsweremisinterpretedversionsof themetaphoricalimagescreatedbythemystics.

However, themystics shouldbe considered, keeping inmind theoriginof thereligious practices that existed during their time. For instance, their ecstasiesmaintained affinity with the spiritual journeys and trances practiced by theshamans andmagicians. The authors of the Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi and theLieziarenotonly the foundersofTaoismbut theyarealsoconsidered tobeafounder of the old Taoist traditions. Hence, as there is a mutual influence ofTaoismonvarious socialclasses, thedistinctionof religiousandphilosophicalTaoismismadesimplefordescriptiveconvenience.

Modern scholars have a tendency to draw a flexible distinction between

ConfucianismandTaoism.Bothtraditionsshareseveralsimilarideasofaman,theruler, thesociety,heavenanduniverse.These ideasstemmedfromabeliefpriortoboththesetraditions.Asacommonbelief,traditionalConfucianismhadlimitations to the field of creating a political andmoral systemof society andChinese empire;while, Taoism propagated the concept of ametaphysical andpersonal preoccupation. The fundamental concepts of Buddhism such asnonexistence of ego as well as the imaginary nature of the world oppose theprinciples of Taoism. Folk traditions since the rule of the Song dynastywitnessed the coexistence of Buddhist and Taoist principles without a cleardistinction.

Tao Te Ching is a guidebook for the Emperor. The ruler should be a Taoistwhoseactionsremainconcealedthatheisnotabletoknowabouthisveryownexistence.Hemustnot imposeanyprohibitionor restrictionsonhis followers.His simpleactionsallow thenatural andpeaceful flowofevents.Hemustnotpracticevirtue,discriminationandambition,becauseitcanharmtherelationshipwithhisfollowers.TheTaoTeChingstates,“whenintellectemerges,thegreatartificesbegin.Whendiscordisrifeinfamilies,‘dutifulsons’appear.WhentheStatefallsintoanarchy,‘loyalsubjects’appear.”Therefore,itisadvisabletoletgo off wisdom, ingenuity and righteousness to increase the benefits of thepeople.

TheTaoTeChingsharesconstancyoftraditionalChinesethinkersbutpresentstheminanindigenousimagery.Thespiritualauraaroundthekinghasarationalapproachandisexpressedasnon-actionorwu-wei,whichdemandssovereigntyalong with the appropriate cosmological orientation with the universe. ThefunctionsoftheTaohaveseveralmeaningsandareemployedbyseveralschoolsofthinking.TheuniversepossessesitsownTao;thesovereignkinghashisownTao,whilethecommonman’sTaoconsistsofcontinuousprocreation.TheTaoTeChingbelievesintheunityoftheTaowiththeuniverseisconsideredasocialprinciple. The idealistic peculiarity justifies the definition of Taoism given bythelaterphilosophersandhistorians.

The literary reviewsof theTaoTeChing state that it has adistinctivewritingstyle.Unlike the anecdotal or dialectic composition of contemporary religioustreaties, it articulates the cryptic terms in concise, short and comprehensiblestatements. About half of the scriptures’ text includes rhyme and the writingpattern observes close parallelisms. The book does notmention any particularnames. Although, the historical imaginations are apparently insoluble, an

abundanceof testimonials justify thevast influenceof theTaoTeChingsinceancienttimesandwithreferencetodifferentsocialcontexts.

Nowadays,weliveintheworldofrightandwrong,lightordark,yesorno,andgoodorevil.Wefacetimesfeelingweareabsolutelyrightandwemuststandbyour decision firmly. Other instances will align the self with the harmonizingenergy.Evenifweremember,atthatmoment,abouttheconnectionoftheselfwith thewholenature, insomewaywewillbeapartof theoppositesideandthus, develop a harmonious relationship that will result in the true balance, aresultthatwillbenefitallthelivingbeings.

ATaoist follows this principle by abandoning the thoughts of right orwrong,and seeks to lead a life that is beneficial for all livingmatter.This concept iscalledthereconciliationofoppositesandachievingthecommongoaloftheTao.

You must remember that what goes up has to come down. We need tounderstandtheworkingoftheYinandYangandmotivateourselvestoembracethedifferencestoexperiencetheTao.

Taoism is the way of responsiveness and acceptance to any form of change.ChuangTzubelievesatruepersonseekingtheTaoisnotintendingtofighttheTaoanddoesn’tattempttocontrivetheTao.TheoutcomeoftheSelfresemblesapatternsimilartothefourseasonsofthenature.

I hope this eBook has inspired you enough to accumulate the principles ofTaoism inyourdaily life. It isahardprocess, though, tobeginwith,butonceyouwillpracticethisphilosophyseveraltimesyouwillassociateyourselfwiththe nature and experience a healthy and long life with the Tao. The Taoistprinciples will serve as a good factor for reducing stress and depression. So,whendoyoubegin?

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