One of the reasons I have so embraced philosophical Taoism and I've committed my time and energy to a blog that chiefly focuses on this topic is that, unlike almost every religion or philosophy I know of, Taoism is nothing more than a window frame, not the window itself. Taoism provides a framework to view the world, but leaves the actual viewing up to each and every person.
If we think of the metaphor of a window frame, the frame does not define the window. Within any given frame, the physical properties of the window itself can be vastly different. The glass could occupy everything within the frame or be a series of different sized pieces of glass. It might not be glass at all. It could be very ornate or as simple as simple can be.
For me, this point is underscored by Lao Tzu when, in the very first two lines of the Tao Te Ching, he writes,
Contrast this to almost ANY other belief system.
The predominant worldview in America is Christianity (which is the main reason that I utilize this religion as a chief point of contrast). Christianity seeks to define not only the frame, but every square inch of the window as well! It seeks to tell us how big the window should be and the properties all of its constituent parts. It seeks to tell us when we should look out the window and what we should see when we gaze. If a person's perspective differs from its dictates, then we're informed that the problem is ours alone, not that of the perfect and divine window!
In fact, the window becomes an entity all its own. We must clean and dust it daily. We must guard it with our lives and kill anyone who might try to damage it. In many ways, the window becomes far more important than what one might see from looking out of it. In fact, if we are indeed honest, this window is kept closed because the chief practitioners really don't want any of their followers to open it!
The window frame of Taoism, on the other hand, holds a window that doesn't even truly exist. It merely provides an opening to look within. What each person sees is ever open.
If we think of the metaphor of a window frame, the frame does not define the window. Within any given frame, the physical properties of the window itself can be vastly different. The glass could occupy everything within the frame or be a series of different sized pieces of glass. It might not be glass at all. It could be very ornate or as simple as simple can be.
For me, this point is underscored by Lao Tzu when, in the very first two lines of the Tao Te Ching, he writes,
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.What he is telling us is that he will provide no definitive answers, only a framework by which to ask the questions!
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
Contrast this to almost ANY other belief system.
The predominant worldview in America is Christianity (which is the main reason that I utilize this religion as a chief point of contrast). Christianity seeks to define not only the frame, but every square inch of the window as well! It seeks to tell us how big the window should be and the properties all of its constituent parts. It seeks to tell us when we should look out the window and what we should see when we gaze. If a person's perspective differs from its dictates, then we're informed that the problem is ours alone, not that of the perfect and divine window!
In fact, the window becomes an entity all its own. We must clean and dust it daily. We must guard it with our lives and kill anyone who might try to damage it. In many ways, the window becomes far more important than what one might see from looking out of it. In fact, if we are indeed honest, this window is kept closed because the chief practitioners really don't want any of their followers to open it!
The window frame of Taoism, on the other hand, holds a window that doesn't even truly exist. It merely provides an opening to look within. What each person sees is ever open.
Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThe widow should be open. At the very least it should be ajar at all times, and at all cost.
Some times it is better to look through the window from the out side looking in. =Self.
nice metaphor, I may well borrow that
ReplyDelete