Taoism Three Meanings of Taoism, Term Paper

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"Creative quietude" was key to these men's interpretation of the Tao and wu wei, or the second life-giving force of the Tao which flowed through human beings without the force of will, if only it was allowed to do so by a yielding spirit (207-208).

The contrasting camp of Philosophical Taoist were adepts who emphasized using rather than bending with the Tao through herbs, yoga, breathing, and other active methods deploying matter, movement, and their minds to use the Tao with maximum efficacy (201). Meditational Taoists tried to use the Tao to enhance the community, fusing Taoism's spirit with Confucianism (200). Selflessness, cleanliness, and calm and purity of mind were the ideals of this brand of Taoism. Virtually all forms of Philosophical Taoism rejected worldly competition and the pursuit of world values, as well as anything but total simplicity in art and life (213) Simplicity and an emphasis on nature rather than the world separates Philosophical Taoism most strikingly from Confucianism.

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While Philosophical Taoist formulations might seem to embody self-help movements, or small, intellectual or spiritually driven schools of thoughts, Religious Taoism was a far more popular and populist incarnation. Although its use of magic talismans and hypnosis might seem contrary to the simplicity of the Tao and the philosophical schools, it is worth remembering that many popular forms of religion including Christianity have exhibited such elements when combining with folk religion and local culture (207).

The Tao is understood simultaneously as the origin of all life, the way that life is generated, and the way to live best in harmony with this life force. Although the ways of understanding this complex rendering of the human condition and nature took many forms, all schools attempted to use the power of the Tao to lead a better life, even if using the Tao meant not 'doing' anything at all,….....

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