While standing in line at a local store the other day, an acquaintance remarked, "If I remember correctly, you don't celebrate Christmas, do you?" Before I could say anything, another person I vaguely know turned around to declare, "What do mean? Everybody celebrates the birth of our blessed savior!"
The first person winked at me and replied to the second person, "Ooh, are you in for a big surprise!"
Of course, I explained to person #2 that Christmas IS a Christian holiday and, since I am not a Christian, Christmas doesn't hold much of any meaning for me. After person #2 (let's call her Jane) expressed a bit of consternation, the discussion turned to an explanation of philosophical Taoism and how it is a far different belief system.
The concept of Tao runs counter to this. We don't seek to define the mysterious way. In fact, we readily admit that any definition places limits on that which is limitless. So, rather than trying to define that which is indefinable, we look to the world around us to see the manifestations and principles that apply to existence. We learn of the ways of Tao by watching how the cosmos actually works.
Are we able to understand it all? Of course not. But we try to apply those parts we do understand -- like harmony, desirelessness and the cyclical pattern of things -- to the way we lead our lives.
The first person winked at me and replied to the second person, "Ooh, are you in for a big surprise!"
Of course, I explained to person #2 that Christmas IS a Christian holiday and, since I am not a Christian, Christmas doesn't hold much of any meaning for me. After person #2 (let's call her Jane) expressed a bit of consternation, the discussion turned to an explanation of philosophical Taoism and how it is a far different belief system.
Jane: Oh, I get it. Tao is just another name for God.Whenever we give an object -- particularly an object of affection -- a name replete with its own personality (set of parameters), it is as if we are trying to keep it in a box. We limit it to a set of emotions and actions that we can readily understand and identify with. If we look at the Judeo-Christian God (it's equally true of Allah) as reported in the Bible, he is as petulant, jealous, petty, inconsistent and revenge-seeking as any person is.
Me: No. God is viewed by most people as a specific "it."
Jane: God is not an it; God is a he, our heavenly father.
Me: He/she/it -- all the same concept. My point is that it-ness seeks to confine and limit.
The concept of Tao runs counter to this. We don't seek to define the mysterious way. In fact, we readily admit that any definition places limits on that which is limitless. So, rather than trying to define that which is indefinable, we look to the world around us to see the manifestations and principles that apply to existence. We learn of the ways of Tao by watching how the cosmos actually works.
Are we able to understand it all? Of course not. But we try to apply those parts we do understand -- like harmony, desirelessness and the cyclical pattern of things -- to the way we lead our lives.
Based on "Jane's" initial statement, I can imagine no way for that conversation to go well. But good on you for trying. I don't talk about this stuff with most people.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for the God of the Bible, yeah, he's like the ultimate ego.
my feed says you posted a post on 'the internet threat' but you must have subsequently deleted or pulled the post - are you planning on re-posting?
ReplyDeleteJust tell them, axial tilt is the reason for the season,
ReplyDelete