Maddie

To me chapter one makes it seem like defining Tao is impossible. 🤯

So while not Taoism these other religions are "a way" so are they not a Tao?

So I think as this thread progresses it's helping me to better define my question or at least the problem in my mind. When a word means everything then it effectively means nothing. I think the confusion with the word Tao is that it means the way. The way could be anything meaning everything therefore meaning nothing. It would seem that the only way to make this word mean something it's to limit it from what it does not mean. So I guess if I was to rephrase my question I would ask what is not Taoism as opposed to what is.

I saw that...... Delightful 😉

That's it, my Tao is now Toast-ichi-do, the art of toast arranging. Universe prepare to have your secrets unlocked. 😌😇

Yes, but what does that mean?

I wonder what was between Lao Tzu and the Heavenly Mater's school? Was it more of an individual thing?

Thank you Sir Palomides for that very nice answer! 😌

Another question. I realize there are different Taoist sects, but what are they? I know for example in Buddhism you have the Tientai and Nichiren groups the place a lot of emphasis on the lotus sutra as being the most important sutra and sacred in and of itself. Is there a Taoist group that focuses a lot on texts? Another example would be is in that focuses more on meditative practice. Any equivalent in Taoism? Then you have pure land Buddhism which is more about praying to Amitabha Buddha to be reborn in the pure land. Anything like this in Taoism? I'm assuming different Taoist groups place emphasis on different things I would just be interested in knowing more about those.

It makes me wonder if there's a Tao of avocado toast? Kind of like finding the perfect cherry blossom, which if you were to find would not be a wasted life. 😌

As a further follow up question which I realize is very subjective, what are everyone's favorite styles of Qigong and why do you like the one you do?

The replies have been great. They have led me to ask a question that is more of a survey. How do you all actually practice Tao? What specific methods do you use? Qigong? Martial arts? Study? Ceremonies? Art? Other?

Very nice reply Steve.

I'm going to assume there are multiple methods and routes for an auspicious rebirth or immortality? Is it similar to Buddhism as in making good karma to have a good rebirth? Or letting go of attachment for liberation in regards to immortality?

Would you mind elaborating on this please?

Thank you CT for that well written reply. So I guess one of the important aspects getting a good answer is asking a good question. So I suppose backing up a little bit and reforming my question I would ask, what is the goal of Taoism? In Christianity the goal is to go to heaven and be with God as is the goal in Islam. In Buddhism and Hinduism the goal is liberation from Samsara. What is the goal in Taoism? I know some will say to obtain the Tao, but what does that mean?

Yes that pretty much describes my journey especially at the beginning lol. 🤭

Love that! 😌

One of the main reasons I asked this question is because that was pretty much my experience with Buddhism. I was the typical Westerner who read the books and practiced on my own until I did a meditation retreat at a Buddhist temple and found that the Asians weren't reading the same books that I was reading lol.

What do you base that on?

What do you mean?

So it tends to be very practical it would seem.

If you don't mind would you be so kind as to break that down a little more simply as to what that means and entails please?

That is interesting but what that makes me want to know is, what is the purpose or goal of this practice?

So let's go with that as a starting place then. When one goes to a Taoist temple, what are they doing and what is the purpose(s) (I assume there is more than one thing one would go to one for) and what do they do?