Tao Te Ching... the Source of the Way

Very Brief History

China has had a long history filled with changing dynasties, technological advancements, periods of high art and culture as well as long periods of war. During a tumultuous warring period called Chūn Qiū (722 b.c.e.- 476 b.c.e.), two contemporaries emerged who would influence thinking in China, thus eastern Asia. One man was K'ung Fu Tzu and the other man was the semi-legendary figure Lao Tzu. Confucius (the Latin form) advocated a way of thinking which urged a proper gentleman to be deeply devoted the arts, his family and the state. His thoughts and works were a code for living in society. Lao Tzu advocated a way of living which was far broader in scope; a point of view that was as deep as the ocean and as vast as space.

Lao Tzu, as the legend has it, was a librarian of a kingdom's royal library and was considered very wise (Lao is Chinese for "old", Tzu could be interpreted as "master"). He had enough of the wars and decided to leave civilization and live the life of a recluse in the wilderness. A guard stopped him before he left the gates for good and asked Lao Tzu to pass on his knowledge. Lao Tzu kindly obliged. What he left behind was truly beautiful poetry and an enriching philosophy.

Make Up of the Book

The collection of poems in the Tao Te Ching is in 81 chapters. Scholars speculate that the beginning works were written by Lao Tzu (if he really existed) and later chapters were added by a various disciples. Regardless of who put the words down with brush and ink, the result is profound and cuts to the core of a spiritual life. It promotes a way of living life that is basic and very pleasant to lead, but quite difficult for the average person, who is often too caught up in the ways of society, to follow. But such is often the case with any spiritual pursuit. The destination of the path is showed by Lao Tzu to be the true realization of the ultimate way to lead a life that brings harmony and true happiness.

The Essence of the Poems

Tao Te Ching could be translated as "the book of the virtue of the way." As suggested by the title, it is a collection of descriptions (not really a direct "how-to" book) of what the Tao is and its many benefits. The first chapter immediately puts the reader into an abstract frame of mind by suggesting that the Tao (or "way"), that is spoken of is not the true Tao. It is something that can neither be seen or felt, heard nor smelled. Rather, it is realized through "inaction" in life, or, in a sense, using intuition as your guide (as opposed to literally doing nothing). It cannot be grasped by logic or on any sensory level, no matter how much desire one has to experience the Tao. One must perceive it on a level in which words fail to completely describe.

Lao Tzu suggests the nature of the Tao is infinite, yet empty. He uses the metaphor of the emptiness of a house to help the reader better visualize his explanation. It is the space inside which makes it livable. In a similar example, Lao Tzu states that it is the emptiness of a container which allows it to be used for its proper function. Emptiness of self is a key element in many of the chapters. The Tao is emptiness which is filling. To be a vessel filled with the Tao, one should be empty.

Flexibility in life is also a common theme which Lao Tzu addresses. He uses the metaphor of a tree and and a reed to demonstrate why flexibility in life is important. In a strong wind, the tree will break because of its rigid nature. The reed in the stream will survive the same wind, for it can bend to the situation. Such theories inevitably influenced the Chinese exercise practice of Qigong, where flexibility helps in the flow of the life force (Qi) that preserves the body.

There is a purity within children which should be aspired to by the would-be follower of the Tao. Life's basic energy flows through children, allowing them to scream without tiring, have a softness of skin which is usually maintained at the beginning of life, and a care-free, untroubled mind that knows nothing. For a Taoist, such energy flowing through the practitioner is highly beneficial. It is an energy provided by the universe and conducted through the body by means of the Tao.

Lao Tzu advocates not clinging on to the differences between things which are common dualities in life. For example, if you perceive one thing to be beautiful, then other things are ugly. People get hung up on the differences, not realizing that it is just two different sides of the same coin. The coin is what is most important, not what is etched into it.

There are also some insights into leadership within the Tao Te Ching which are contrary to standard modern thinking. Lao Tzu said that the people should be governed without being governed. Again, it is like the "inaction" he mentions often. The people who seek leadership should be lead in a way that the people feel like they are leading themselves. As studies show, a happy employee is more productive and having the freedom to make their own decisions in life brings about great satisfaction at the workplace. A developing child inately thinks this way, too. It is simply natural. So, Lao Tzu's ideas for leadership do have relevance even 2,500 years later.

Violence and war was prevalent in Lao Tzu's time, so he writes about both in several chapters. Lao Tzu advocated peace and harmony, and his philosophy was definitely one of peace. War and fighting are fruitless. Sun Tzu, the military philosopher who wrote The Art of War, may also have been influenced by Lao Tzu's thinking. Sun Tzu's first point about winning a war is that not fighting is the perfect victory. Lao Tzu would have gone one step further by saying just being non-competitive and losing desire would provide no grounds for war in the first place.

Like Buddhism, the Tao Te Ching has an emphasis on rejecting materialism, as it is a hollow pursuit. "Have, but do not possess" is what Lao Tzu would have advised. The way to a spiritual path is, according to Lao Tzu, just giving up everything to gain everything, including the idea of self.

The Results from the Book

For many people, Tao Te Ching has been a powerful tool for leading a spiritual life. The words, as simple as they are, convey a deeper and higher sense of existence and provides an explanation of life which can be difficult for the logical mind to grasp. It turned into a philosophy which inspired many other Taoist sages, such as Chuang Tzu and Lieh Tzu (also good sources for spiritual living).

Like any good philosophy, though, Taoism was eventually became a formalized religion. It incorporated rituals and practices and began a collection of stories dealing with immortals who were god-like. The goal of the Taoists became the ultimate quest for most human beings in every culture in every age: becoming immortal. People started looking to others for salvation and properity and stopped looking within for happiness. As with most organized religions, Taoism had strayed far from the way of the original thoughts and instructions of the one who first attempted to explain it.

Taoism is a powerful philosophical movement and the exploration of it, starting with the Tao Te Ching, is a well-worn path that is worth every step taken. As Lao Tzu suggests, the path of a thousand miles begins with one step. Making that first step can be done at any time, but there is no time like the present.