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Taoism
Taoism is one of the main spiritual currents of ancient China. Tao is basically the ultimate spiritual reality, the reality lying beyond opposites (and outside the game of yang-yin).
Tao is a reality that can be perceived only in mystical way - through a spiritual experience.
According to Taoism this reality (Tao) is not possible to attain in intellectual, logical and deductive way. Tao is what is the biggest secret - it is the deepest dimension of reality.
Taoism was one of the three main currents of spiritual and cultural past in China - in addition to Confucianism and Buddhism. Sometimes it is said that the majority of Chinese people in ancient times were followers of the three religions simultaneously: Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism - for example, someone passed a rite similar to baptism according to Taoistic system, married according to tradition of Confucianism, and had a Buddhist funeral. Often it looked this way.
A great deal of teachings and practices of Chan (Chinese word for Zen) and Taoism were similar to each other - the two schools had an impact on each other, and Confucianism complemented the realm of cultural customs and duties.
Taoism as a trend is usually divided into:
1) philosophical Taoism
2) magical-religious Taoism
These two trends share the book Tao Te Ching as ther inspiration, but the philosophical Taoism concentrates usually on the spiritual significance of the Tao in its works. Religious Taoism, however, additionally introduces a number of practical exercises for the inner transformation and alchemy with the Absolute.
Tao Te Ching is one of the best known, and also the deepest and most mysterious of all Chinese texts.
1) Philosophical Taoism
The leader of philosophical trend in Taoism was Lao Tsy (Laozi). It is believed that he was initially the court librarian (registrar) at the Zhou court, and then he went to the West, to the saddle Xiangou, where he wrote his work Tao Te Ching.
Book of Tao Te Ching (Tao Te King, Daodejing) consists of about five thousand words, has two parts and contains lectures on science of Tao and Te.
The title "Tao Te Ching" means: Ching - Book, Tao - Way, Te (De) - Virtue.
Tao Te Ching therefore is the "Book of the Way and Virtue."
It should be understood that meaning of the term “Tao” means the Way in the sense of the deepest meaning of human life - a spiritual path to Tao (ultimate reality).
The Way here is also present in the highest, incomprehensible reality. Virtue (Te) is a valuable helper here - something that is important, when we lack understanding of the Way.
If you can not rely on the Tao, or grasp it, then the alternative path might be based on Te, as much easier to grasp. An adept may, for example, rely on the patience and inner softness - as examples of the virtues helping to approach Tao.
2) Magical-Religious Taoism
This trend had a lot of lectures and sciences (Daozang). In particular, there are
a) Three caves
b) Four Extras
Three caves are:
1) Authenticity Grotto (Dongzhen - text of the meditation)
2) Mystery Grotto (Dongxuan - a description of rituals)
3) Holy Spirit Grotto (Dongshen - esoteric science)
Four Appendices are:
1) Great Mystery - a work inspired by the Tao Te Ching
2) The Great Calm - alchemical text, similar to the "Taiping Ching"
3) Great Clean - another alchemical text
4) Classic Text (Zhengyi - text presenting the Way of the Heavenly Masters)
In greatest simplification it can be said that the religious and magical Taoism particularly focused on health, especially the issues of life extension.
Therefore, great emphasis on the strengthening of vital forces was put to practicing the Magical-Religious Taoism.
Practitioner reinforces his 3Dan Tien - centers of energy, sometimes called "fields of cinnabar.
These three fields correspond respectively to:
1) the Earth (with the material - at the center below bellybutton)
2) man (with the human, social and mental - in the center of heart),
3) the sky (with the spiritual aspect - the center of the head).
The processes of breathing are highly developed - to breathe consciously, according to the recommendations, both the ambient air, and the brilliance of the sun, moon and stars. There is also an inner breath (not involving any movement of the lungs, but centering more on the attitude of mind and inner focus), called embryonic breath.
A valuable tool to help in longevity are also sexual meditation (now known as the method of Tao Sex). Through the introduction of the sexual attitudes and conscious relaxation of vigilance on the vital energy - the partners can mutually reinforce their biological and emotional energies.
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