The Practice of Tao
Hello!
In preparation for the upcoming lecture series, I have been gathering my thoughts on the various topics I am hoping to present this coming week, and in coming months. I started to write an outline, and this loosely formed thought blurb came forth. I read it to Sifu to see if he approved of the direction my talk was going in and he felt I should share it ahead of the presentation. Since so much is spontaneous, I thought why not? I tidied it up a bit for posting. I hope that it offers some insight.
In the upcoming lecture series on the first Wednesday of every month, I will be discussing the philosophical and metaphysical concepts contained within the training we are doing. I feel this will bring the practice into greater focus, and help build the mental and spiritual framework that is fundamental to the physical and energetic work we do through our training. Please enjoy these general thoughts on the practice of Tao.
Taoist philosophy, theory and practice are focused on the direct experience of nature and the pursuit of truth. There are many different approaches to the practice and work of Tao, including religious, philosophical, and magical perspectives. Our focus at Tao Institute is most oriented towards the philosophical and the mystical.
Tao, in its many manifestations, has a common core principle — to abide by “the way” — the natural path and universal law that underlies all of reality. This singular, simple idea has countless expressions and interpretations in the world of Taoist practice. The philosophy and practice of Tao is flexible, eclectic and open in this way, which while being one of its more interesting, positive, and universal attributes, can make it quite confounding for the person first encountering Taoism at a deeper level. When it comes to Tao, looking at different schools, methods and practices is like looking at the branches of a tree — there are so many variations, and it quickly becomes confusing.
Knowing this, what is most important for us is to go to the root, to understand the underlying essence and principles of Tao, in order to truly understand its function and ultimately translate this awareness to practice and daily life. Though Taoist theory can be quite complex, it is also abundantly simple. A paradox that will become familiar as we continue to examine all aspects of this philosophy and cosmology.
Taoist practice and thought is focused on the one thing that ties all of life, philosophies and religions together, and that is the “Unchanging Truth.” Or sometimes it can be described as “Ultimate Reality.”
A good way to understand Ultimate Reality is to consider the way our mind and consciousness tends to define reality. In life — our culture, customs, education, political leanings, etc, all define what we believe to be real and true. This is our human conditioning. If you look at each of these components of conditioning as a construct or matrix of consciousness that we essentially are a part of, or join with, according to our nature, we could see these essentially as collective thought forms that humanity has created.
The concept of Ultimate Reality is the space beyond all of these human constructs — it describes consciousness at the level of nature and the cosmos. The immortal life — which is beyond even the cycles of life and death.
In essence, self cultivation can be understood as a process through which we work towards the integration of our human self, with the highest, cosmic self. The self that is the Tao — or the consciousness of the universe at large. To awaken to this aspect of ourselves, and then build and maintain a consistent connection with it, takes a lot of time, effort, and patience — and also a great deal of evolution and personal transformation. A major part of self cultivation is learning to distinguish between the nature of the cosmic self and the human self, and to gradually transform the false attitudes of the human self to be in alignment with the orientation of our true self. This includes learning to understand and see human constructs for what they are, and detach from them, connecting instead with the higher order of reality, the Tao.
Detachment is a subject in Eastern spirituality that often becomes distorted both by practitioners and those critical of the idea as a spiritual ethos. For the sake of this writing, I would like to define the idea of detachment in the following manner: Detachment, in this context, is a form of skillful engagement with human life. To be “in the world” but not “of the world.” A true knowing that at our highest levels of consciousness, we are sovereign beings with great freedom not confined by our human life and its struggles, but that through our human existence and experiences, we have the opportunity to continually refine the human self to hold greater wisdom, tolerance, compassion and virtue. Not from a place of pretense, but from a deep understanding of the dichotomy and complexity of this existence.
When we are able to achieve detachment, we are not locked in to only one way of seeing things, and can instead be observational about life, change, and ourselves within the dynamic drama of it all. It becomes easier to see the many levels at work in our circumstances. This in turn allows broader vision, deeper integrity of action, and the ability to smooth or lessen the turbulence, and energy drain, of life’s ups and downs. From this place, we are better positioned to observe harmony and disharmony, and determine what is ours to effect. Likewise, detachment lends a hand in cultivating acceptance for all that is beyond our personal sphere of influence. To develop discernment with regards to our own, and other people’s motivations, and to also understand the virtue of “non-interference.”
So like all things in Tao, it is a yin/yang process that we work with — to understand the spiritual side of life, and yet also understand the human side — and find a way to integrate the two in a manner that is healthy for us. There are many, many different stages we go through with this dynamic union throughout our lives, and all of it is a part of the cycle of clarification and refinement.
In the Tao Te Ching it is often expressed that it is important to remain plain and simple. This has many meanings as it comes to practice and life. Plain and simple: Remain with foundations, stay close to what’s real, remain humble. Pursue the truth and the spirit of life, but also be a part of the world. If you do find transformations along the path, remaining in the world can be one of the biggest trials of all, as it is not a friendly, fair, or kind place. But that is a part of understanding life, also. A part of what we are deepening to hold and transform within ourselves.
So why is this study important? Well, it is really just an opinion, but I personally believe that, in life, if we have a basis to work from that is in alignment with natural, universal laws, a cosmic roadmap as it were, we are also given the keys to a more enriching and true path — one that is more harmonious not just for ourselves, but for all that we touch. In the world today, much of what we see is destructive in nature. But to understand and work towards a higher order of harmony, we have the opportunity to turn the wheels of change towards more constructive pursuits, relationships, and actions. This also translates to a stronger inner compass, greater mental and spiritual resiliency, and clearer vision.
Beyond these more esoteric concerns, to live in greater harmony with natural cycles is simply more sustainable. This was actually a major motivation of the ancient Taoists, many of whom were interested in achieving some form of immortality. To live in a manner that is truly natural produces less wear on our bodies and energy systems. From a spiritual level, such harmony and integrity is like entering a spiral of purification — as we are entraining ourselves to reunite with the cosmic order, and the meaning of life from that perspective.
So what we are talking about here is not a religious idea, but really a perspective, or spiritual construct, that serves all aspects of life. The truth is unchanging and constant, yet also unique in its expression. Every person has a different path. Every person will manifest their lives, and evolve through them, uniquely. But to know the basic principles, deeply and truly, makes a huge difference in the higher management of life.
It is the discussion of these principles that we will begin to unpack in the coming lectures. Understand that many of these concepts, and the work we are doing through our practice, take a very long time to uncover and digest for yourself. It will be your own process. I am merely sharing what I have understood myself, having immersed myself in this study for some time now. My aim is to explain and synthesize this material in a manner that saves you some time and struggle in wading through the density of this subject. Maybe my role is just that of a guide through the river in the fog. May we find great riches on the journey together.