I used to be really big into isms. You know, various ideologies (and yes, some don't include ism as part of the word) that seeks to define a definitive perspective or aspect of the world. For example, for nearly two decades, I was a champion of socialism and environmentalism.
But the problem with isms -- regardless of the brand -- is that they too quickly devolve into dogma. Supporters of a particular ism tend to get into pissing matches about who is being more true to the static concept. Times and circumstances change, yet people hold on doggedly to ideas that someone thought of hundreds or thousands of years ago.
The ONLY ism I still identify with is, of course, Taoism. But, to my way of thinking, Taoism is a totally different kind of ism. There is no official doctrine or creed. It's not something you can sign-up for. There are no membership dues nor attendance policies.
Taoism is nothing more than a loose framework that each individual can use as a springboard into the void of mystery. What each person discovers about him or herself and the interconnected cosmos is the Tao of that individual self (which may or may not exist anyway).
Really. Philosophical Taoism is nothing more than a nebulous starting point. Who knows what paths we will choose or where any of us will end up?
But the problem with isms -- regardless of the brand -- is that they too quickly devolve into dogma. Supporters of a particular ism tend to get into pissing matches about who is being more true to the static concept. Times and circumstances change, yet people hold on doggedly to ideas that someone thought of hundreds or thousands of years ago.
The ONLY ism I still identify with is, of course, Taoism. But, to my way of thinking, Taoism is a totally different kind of ism. There is no official doctrine or creed. It's not something you can sign-up for. There are no membership dues nor attendance policies.
Taoism is nothing more than a loose framework that each individual can use as a springboard into the void of mystery. What each person discovers about him or herself and the interconnected cosmos is the Tao of that individual self (which may or may not exist anyway).
Really. Philosophical Taoism is nothing more than a nebulous starting point. Who knows what paths we will choose or where any of us will end up?
Well said.
ReplyDeleteIndeed.
ReplyDeleteIf more people would learn that -isms almost always serve to lock us into a tiny, rigid box, perhaps more of us could engage in constructive dialogues leading to better solutions to so many of our problems.