Taoism is a philosophical and spiritual tradition with it a background in China convincing people to live in harmony with nature. Taoism is derived from the word Tao, whose meaning is a human path. It is assumed to be the major creative principle of the world and that all the occurrences are linked to the Tao (a powerful force). It is the life-giving force of the world, a process through which the world controls itself, a mother of everything and all the people are Tao be it Muslim, Christian, atheist, plants, air, good or bad people since they are all one and a subset of the whole.
Often than not, people usually feel interlinked with larger issues than oneself such as sunset or hiking creating an interconnectedness with the environment. During such situations, one goes beyond boundaries of oneself and experience larger reality and what is happening. Such experience is usually highly satisfying, meaningful and memorable (Kardash, 2018). During these experiences, one can be said to have penetrated into the Circle of Tao, an interconnectedness with all life. Taoism offers the best way of viewing and acknowledging reality through practical wisdom devoted to individual well-being, societal unity, and rejuvenated advancement of personal consciousness (Kardash, 2016). It today’s world, this can be a very important tool in helping people understand nature as indivisible from that of the cosmos. For this reason, Taoism function as a steering force to spiritual growth and conversion and are directly relevant to the day to day life.
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Tao further brings out the issue of mystery, the art of not-knowing (Yuen, 2013). To completely experience Tao, one must penetrate into its mystery. To enter into mystery, there is need to go beyond conventional means of thinking and to perceive, and above conventional recognition of meaningful self (Kardash, 2018). Traditional knowledge is based on creating differences and conclusions, on collecting information, an area of logic. The current advancement of technology is linked to the intense research and the need to understand the mysterious things in the world.
Through intense research, one absorbs the experience and necessary information to create balance in the existing situation linking one to Tao (Kardash, 2018). It is interesting that through Tao, crucial information is available if and only if one is open and receptive. The information gathered is essential in initiating change in the world today. Notably, whether one acknowledges the nature's work or is experiencing some problems in the universe of human activities, one can accommodate and appreciate the mystery. And not shocked by the unknown, one can enter into the mystery guided by Tao (Yuen, 2013). With the changing world, the fear of unknown due to the unending change hinders people from performing their best in their life (Kardash, 2016). Often than not, when one experiences an unknown situation, fear emerges and hinders one from making effective decisions making one lose significant opportunities in life. There is need to explore the mystery of life as it may help experience a change in life.
The Taoism can be assistive in expanding awareness in the modern world. However, one of the key challenges of this experience of togetherness is human consciousness which is a double-edged sword (Yuen, 2013). From one point of view, one can divide, differentiate and appraise, a very helpful trait in understanding the universe, making decisions and taking action (Kardash, 2016). This can also deter one to view everything in the world as a disconnect from ourselves, hindering the experience that one is a subset of the larger whole.
The impact of this type of approach or view is that it leads to person-centered behaviors such that one only focuses on personal needs. For example, due to this, environmental pollution become rampant (Kardash, 2018). Such pollutions include soiling of oceans, invasion of the natural habitat without care of its dwellers or even air pollutions. Socially, we allow geographical locations, language, skin color, gender, ethnicity, and politics to divide us creating boundaries that lead to conflict, isolation, and war (Kardash, 2016). At the interpersonal position, people discard their entirety by criticizing, suppressing and denying oneself leading to depression, shame, and low self-esteem.
On the other hand, one's consciousness can feel as major part of the entirety. This feeling of entirety enables the people in the society to function in a way that encourages balance and harmony within and externally. This kind of consciousness helps one view the needs of others as their needs too, and the major focus will be to do good for the benefit of all in the society (Kardash, 2016). If the awareness of the people in the society reaches this level, it means that they are part and parcel of the Circle of Tao.
In conclusion, Taoist teachings can be very helpful in day to day living. Their utmost worth lies in their capability to guide an individual to his/her process of self-investigation, growth, and revolution which links one to oneself and the universe around us. Taoism is very helpful guidance to achieving a connection to the Tao offering a powerful representation of connectedness, harmony, and stability (Yuen, 2013). People often go through stress and challenges in lives and during the problem-solving the mission; the major focus is finding a solution that reinstates one to more reasonable, pleasant and satisfying living standards. Interestingly, by acknowledging and upholding the traits of the Tao one can steadily support oneself with this powerful universal flow of energy. As the saying goes " the journey of a thousand miles starts with one step," Tao is a powerful steering force to intimately link one's nature and the surrounding in life.
References
Kardash T., (2018). Taoism-Ancient Wisdom for a Modern World: The Tao of Daily Living. Retrieved on 27 February 2018 from https://www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/03/25/taoism-%E2%80%93-ancient-wisdom-modern-world-tao-daily-living
Kardash T., (2016). Taoist Sanctuary of San Diego: Ageless Wisdom for Modern World. Retrieved on 27 February 2018 from http://www.taoistsanctuary.org/ageless-wisdom/
Yuen I., (2013). Tao Today: A Sage’s Take on Modern Society, Part 1. Retrieved on 27 February 2018 from https://ekostories.com/2013/04/18/tao-today-culture/
