The Way…
Dao in Mandarin Chinese means “the way,” including all the English variants such as “the path,” “the road,” or “the method.” It is often used especially in the sense of “the path of life” or “the way of nature”. Its purpose is to emphasize doing what is natural and “going with the flow” in accordance with the Dao (or Tao), a cosmic force that flows through all things and binds and releases them.
This initial philosophy came from the ancestral observance of the natural world. The religion developed from an organic belief system in cosmic balance. It is maintained and regulated by the Dao. The principles of ancestor and spirit worship are tenets currently observed by many Daoists today and have been for centuries.
Daoism is sometimes understood as the way of the universe. Daoism teaches that all living creatures are to live in a state of harmony with the universe, and the energy found in it. Ch’i, or qi, is the energy present in and guiding everything in the universe.
The thoughts of the Daoist focus on genuineness, longevity, health, immortality, vitality, wu wei (non-action, a natural action, a perfect equilibrium with Dao), detachment, refinement (emptiness), spontaneity, transformation, and omni-potentiality.
The Digital World is what one might believe is the opposite of Dao. The rigor, pace, and electrical components that make our present-day societal movement are often quite different than what our ancestors had to deal with in their lives of relative natural simplicity.
Did their efforts go by the wayside? Were their lives easier and more comfortable without the technological onslaught of today?
Zhuang Zi’s Essential Writings is a book that questions the perceptions of reality and embraces the harmony between nature and self. Throughout the book, we are treated to a rich tapestry of allegorical tales, parables, and anecdotes that showcase Zhuangzi’s distinctive writing style and unique philosophical approach. Zhuang Zi’s writings add a belief in human virtue. It is basic, primal so to speak.
Its scribe unfolds not only what it is to be, but what it means to be.
Zhuang Zi may have written his essential writings as a way to give guidance to those who are acting and behaving out of balance with nature so that balance and harmony can return to the universe. Zhuang Zi’s Essential Writings are meant to be used as guidance for the truest way to live. Continued diligence in this effort with Zigong’s story is for guidance on how we should interact with technology.
It is my personal belief that our ancestors breathe through the ethereal glass of nature.
In silence, we can feel them.
Assimilation with our humanity fuses.
To me, it is all really quite simple.
Listen and silent have the same letters.
The balance is in the flow that mirrors ongoing change.
Of course, that is just my take on it.
The principles of Daoism and what it means to be envelope change. Does it not?
Intellectual development is part of the human experience, no?
“There is nothing so stable as change.” Bob Dylan
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