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    • #1384

      marigold
      Spectator

      From a book on the Five Elements:

      This is one of those things that seems to be such a simple concept and yet so hard for many of us to comprehend.
      What is the lifeblood that allows everything in our universe to exist? In Chinese philosophy there are some tenets that explain the Five Element theory:

      The Dao (way of the universe) is the one eternal thing, with no separate identity, that contains all things.

      Qi exists within the Dao and is the pure ingredient of all life – the life force.

      Yin and Yang are the dynamic complementary ‘divisions’ of the life force.

      The Five Elements are the manifestations of the life force in constant motion.

      More on the Dao:
      All of heaven and earth, things known and unknown, issue from the One.
      Light and dark separate their names and live in their mother’s realm.
      The Dao cannot be defined by motion or form and has no end.
      There is no measure, no quantity, and no one true name.
      Myriad nature abides the law and exists together.
      All life exists only because of its neighbour.
      The things inherent to this universe
      Live because of interaction.
      There is no separation
      Within the One
      Or of the
      One.

      So in summary, the Dao is, and Qi does, Yin and Yang are the balancing act, and the Five Elements are where everything interacts. In Chinese medicine, the healer seeks to restore balance in the Qi of the patient. Tai Chi means “supreme or great Qi” and using Qi is superior to using muscular strength alone, hence a small person can easily overcome a larger person.
      [/quote:1f3slv9k]

      While the Tao cannot be expressed, Taoism holds that it can be known, and its principles can be followed. Much of Taoist writing focuses on the value of following the Tao – called Te (virtue) – and of the ultimate uselessness of trying to understand or control Tao outright. This is often expressed through yin and yang arguments, where every action creates a counter-action as a natural, unavoidable movement within manifestations of the Tao.[/quote:1f3slv9k]

      so basically, if you don’t understand it, its all good.

    • #41117

      Arthur
      Spectator

      so basically, if you don’t understand it, its all good.[/quote:3oly54bp]
      :lol:

    • #41118

      marigold
      Spectator

      :P

      I like this one as well:

      The ‘Tao of Pooh’ explains Taoism by Winnie the Pooh and explains Winnie the Pooh by Taoism. It makes you understand what A.A. Milne probably meant when he said he didn’t write the Pooh-books for children in the first place.

      Over the centuries Taoism classic teachings were developed and divided into philosophical, monastic, and folk religious forms. All of these could be included under the general heading of Taoism. But the basic Taoism is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life. From the Taoist point of view, the natural result of this harmonious way of living is happiness.

      One of the basic principles of Taoism is P’U, the Uncarved Block. The essence of the Uncarved Block is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily spoiled and lost when that simplicity is changed. This principle applies not only to things, but to people as well. Or Bears. Which brings us to Pooh, the very Epitome of the Uncarved Block. When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few, other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun. Along with that comes the ability to do things spontaneously and have them work, odd as that may appear to others at times. As Piglet put it in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’, \"Pooh hasn’t much Brain, but he never comes to any harm. He does silly things and they turn out right.\"[/quote:1uptkcye]
      http://www.just-pooh.com/tao.html

    • #41119

      Arthur
      Spectator

      These people… might know more about Tao also… I think…

      [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJuNgBkloFE[/youtube]

    • #41120

      marigold
      Spectator

      The Tao is so empty,
      So hollow.
      Yet somehow its usefulness is inexhaustible
      It is so very deep
      So very profound.
      Like the source of everything.

      It blunts the sharpest edges
      Unties the knots
      Softens the glare

      It is so very deep
      So tranquil
      It seems to barely exist at all.
      Its origin is unknown
      It preceded the Gods themselves.

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