TAOISM 道教
The Way
Taoist literature describes the Tao as the "path" or "way". It is the supreme life source and power that encompasses all things living and non-living. It is the natural order of the universe, forever spontaneous and nothing but itself. Non-opposing, non-struggling, and non-striving, the Tao flows through all things, balancing and nourishing with no thought for past, present, or future. Intrinsically dynamic and in continual flux, the Tao is in a state of ceaseless motion, activity, and change. The Tao is behind all existence, governing all life and change within it. In essence, it is the unseen, underlying law of the universe from which all principles and phenomena proceed.
Taoism simply adheres to the universal principles of the Tao.
The aim of the Taoist is to live life in accordance with the Tao. Non-planning, spontaneous in thought and action, in balance with nature, non-striving, accepting life and change: Passivity, calm and humility are all part of the universal principles of following the Tao. A Taoist does not struggle, oppose or strive.
The Tao cannot be understood purely on the intellectual level alone: It needs to be felt, and this is why most ancient Taoist literature was written in prose or in story form. This conveys the expression of the writer, and the reader absorbs the intent through feeling as well as understanding. As the Tao remains elusive to intellect, herein lies its beauty - simplicity. No rituals, rules, religious doctrines, laws, or clever intellects are required to follow its path. It is open to each and every one of us, whatever our walk of life.
WU WEI 無爲
A key principle in the life of the Taoist and in attaining oneness with the Tao is that of Wu Wei - the art of non-doing or non-action. Applying Wu Wei means doing things without actually realising that we are doing them. By following nature without pretence and 'going with the flow' without trying, forcing or intellectualising, we become attuned to the Tao effortlessly. This does not mean doing nothing: We are in touch with nature by participating in life and being in touch with our faculties of intuition, sense and feeling, so that we are able to perceive and respond to the world spontaneously and without effort. We sense the world around us, and change and respond accordingly when the time is appropriate. This involves listening to our inner intuition, and feeling what is happening in the environment around us: The interplay of Yin and Yang comes from within and without. More on Wu Wei
The mind of Wu Wei "flows like water, reflects like a mirror, and responds like an echo".