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The Tao
that can be followed is not the eternal Tao. This
sameness is the mystery, The
door to all marvels. - Tao
Te Ching 1 What is
Tao? There are
two translations I have heard in English for the Chinese word “Tao”. One
which is the most popular and regarded as the most accurate is “path” or
“way”, The other, more interesting interpretation is “all that is”. Both
definitions mean roughly the same thing once one realizes that their path or
way to them is all that is. This statement is essentially the truth for all
of us. We all have a picture in our mind of what we believe is reality. This
picture comes to us complete with all of our visual limitations and
shortcomings in universal viewpoints. In other words, our perception of
reality is skewed by our experience and learning. This is not a fault or
failure on the part of Tao, our parents, or ourselves, it is the way of
nature. If we could really attempt to grasp the essence and magnitude of Tao
in a single breathtaking moment, would we survive the encounter? Could our
minds and spirits really absorb that essence? I think maybe not. The price
we pay for being human, is curiosity. We are compelled to try with all of
our might to find out what happens to us after we die. We are taught various
forms of faiths, belief systems, values, and dogmas from birth by our
parents and their respective societies and cultures in the sincere hope that
through that learning experience both they and we might avoid some form of
eternal punishment. Most children worldwide are taught some form of
spiritual retribution for wrongdoing and “sinfulness” from the demons of
Buddhism to the eternal hell of Christianity, to the burning valley of Henom
in Judaism from their earliest possible memories. They are dressed up and
paraded before their congregations like pretty lambs right before they
become cutlets. But have they learned the truth? Have we? I believe there is
not a soul alive who will read this who does not identify with this
paragraph, and in whom the control mechanisms of modern western faith and
culture to this day do not tug strongly at their heart. In so much as these
folks genuinely believe and practice what they say they believe, I have no
problem, after all, I could die tomorrow and find out I should have been a
Mormon. There’s the
truth. Hiding right behind the theory. Should I be a Mormon, a Jew, a
Christian, Islamic, Buddhist? Do we really know? How many people from behind
how many altars of various descriptions claim to know absolutely one hundred
percent what it is we should believe? I know of several. All different and
all right. How can this be? The truth is, it can’t all be right, but it all
may still be valid. There are a few simple truths that I personally believe
are the underpinning of theological and philosophical Taoism. This may or
may not reflect the feelings, thoughts or teachings of anyone else on the
subject, and that’s just fine. First and
foremost, I know that in the final analysis I do not know what will happen
to me when I die. I know what I believe, that is different than knowing what
will happen as a fact. Second, I
know one day I absolutely will die. That is a fact. It is also the way of
nature and the way of Tao. Since this event is unavoidable, I choose not to
dwell on it. I would not hasten that moment by so much as a second. I will
admit, sometimes that moment scares me. Third,
Knowing those two things, I also know some things are supposed to be
mysterious and not readily or clearly understood, if they are to be
understood at all. The Tao is one of those things. To paraphrase, the God
you can name is not God, no matter what name you give that entity. The God
you can touch, label or box up, is not God. Naming is what we do, labeling
is what we do, categorizing and subdividing and organizing, those are things
we do. Why? Because we’re human, it is in our nature, the curiosity drives
us to do these things in the hope that we will understand and somehow be
enlightened. All of that activity for sure, has brought about some
remarkable things and wonderful events, but it has also brought about the
very worst in us. At some point, to have peace, and true understanding, it
is necessary to realize that some things are just not meant to be grasped
and analyzed. The Tao is one such thing. In the naming, we see the creations
of the source (Tao), in the separation we see the created things of the
source (Tao). In the nameless and empty, seen only with the heart and
spirit, we see the eternal. Fourth,
Everything happens when and how it should whether we want it to or not. This
is an absolute truth, immutable and carved in granite. We do not have the
power to alter Tao by so much as an atom. The difference between an event
happening when it should, and when it should not, is perception, not
reality. The sage realizes that his path is his path, so he gives no worry
to where his feet go. In this way, there is no conflict, no competition, no
derision, no delusion, no inappropriateness, no right, and no wrong. There
only is the way. The sage does not explain himself, ever, even if he did,
the explanation would likely not be understood, other peoples paths are
their own, not his. The sage does not judge the path of another, it is not
his journey. Since the sage does not label, judge, compete, or fight, and,
since the sage follows what is his true nature the sage is eternal, and in
spirit, and truth, and wisdom, deals with the eternal. This is the mystery
of oneness with Tao. There is no way to work one’s way up to Tao, but many
ways to follow Tao peacefully. Fifth, Once
again, the opinion and belief of an old Sifu, I do not judge anybody else’s
faith or path. Since we all are right where we are supposed to be, there is
no need for judgment. Buddha said
“When we act with sincerity, everything we do is right” better perhaps not
to worry so much about the what, but about the why. If the intent of your
heart, mind, and spirit, is one of peace, compassion, and wisdom, with
respect towards all living things, it is difficult to make too much of a
mistake, no matter what anybody else says. Always be true to your own path.
(c) Indiana Tai Chi 2004 all rights reserved |
