r/taoism Jul 09 '20

Welcome to r/taoism!

398 Upvotes

Our wiki includes a FAQ, explanations of Taoist terminology and an extensive reading list for people of all levels of familiarity with Taoism. Enjoy!


r/Taoism Rules


r/taoism 3h ago

How would you apply "creating while not owning" (生而不有) in Tao Te Ching chapters 2, 10 and 51?

4 Upvotes

生 sheng: bring into existence, give birth, create, produce; live, life

而 er: while (also); and, but, yet

不 bu: no, not, non-, un-

有 you: to be; have, possess(ion), own(ership)

This line appears thrice in Lao Tzu's text as an apparent example of sagely or profoundly virtuous (玄德 xuan de) conduct. How do you understand it, and how do you think it can be applied in contrast to how someone not so virtuous or wise would do things?

For example, if you produce a work of art or skill, what is a virtuous attitude toward that work? Is it to give it away for free, or to be ready to part with it so that the parting does good by you and others? Is it to relinquish credit and intellectual rights, or to not personally identify with it in how it's treated and received or how it develops and lives on in the world?


r/taoism 22h ago

Can anyone recemmond me some books on cultivation of qi that explains the theory , philosophy and the process

14 Upvotes

r/taoism 1d ago

Just found Zhuangzi's favourite tree

7 Upvotes

Sorry if memes aren't allowed.


r/taoism 1d ago

Any Taoist beliefs or scriptures about handling familial conflict?

26 Upvotes

I am new to Taoism and the holidays have always been stressful but this year has been worse when it comes to familial conflict between my mother and oldest brother.

Is there anything in Taoism that helps with these sort of issues?


r/taoism 1d ago

Is there a Taoist ritual/practice on karmic cleansing?

0 Upvotes

I recently found out that I have Chinese roots (Through my Great Grandfather), while I am doing our Family tree. :D


r/taoism 3d ago

Winter Solstice = The Moment Yin Begins to Transform into Yang

104 Upvotes

I visit my mom once a year, and we always do a hike to catch up on life. We spoke in Chinese, so I apologize if my translation isn’t 100%. This year, she taught me that the cycles of Nature directly correlate to the turning of the Yin Yang wheel: from Darkness to Light, from Winter to Spring, etc.

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year, with the longest hours of darkness. It represents the most Yin part of the Yin Yang cycle. After this point, the energies become more Yang as the days become longer.

Traditionally, farmers used the Ying Yang concept to plan their crops. I never thought of the Yin Yang as a season marker before, and thought it was cool to learn about one of its practical applications.

Happy Belated Winter Solstice!


r/taoism 3d ago

Analysis of Zhuangzi's "butterfly dream passage; reflection on dreams, imagination, reality, and enjoyment

6 Upvotes

I'd like to analyse this passage bit by bit and give some reflections I had on it. I'll begin:

"Formerly, I, Zhuang Zhou, dreamt that I was a butterfly, a butterfly flying about, feeling that it was enjoying itself. I did not know that it was Zhou."

Zhuangzi himself details an experience where he dreams of being a butterfly that is enjoying itself. Throughout the whole Zhuangzi text, there is this motif of enjoyment. The image of a butterfly happily fluttering about is very evocative.

"Suddenly I awoke, and was myself again, the veritable Zhou. "

He wakes up, as the "veritable" Zhou. As in, the real deal. Or is he?

"I did not know whether it had formerly been Zhou dreaming that he was a butterfly, or it was now a butterfly dreaming that it was Zhou."

Perhaps it is the case that both are true, or neither!

"But between Zhou and a butterfly there must be a difference."

Zhuangzi and the butterfly seem to be interconnected in this instance, dreaming of one another. Yet, they are 2 distinct experiences.

"This is a case of what is called the Transformation of Things.' "

This "transformation of things" might be the most mystic passage in the Zhuangzi text's most esoteric chapter. It is the final passage of this chapter, and the capstone on its many reflections.

This "transformation of things" is a suggestion that in a sense, there is more than meets the eye. It hints at the possibility of other realities that are connected yet distinct from our own, by questioning if the dream of being a butterfly was the true reality, and characterizing the dream as a distinct reality from the waking state of Zhuangzi.

But what are dreams really? To this day science hasn't came up with a convincing answer to that question, and it's a bit of a mystery. However, one can observe some aspects of dreams from our own experiences, and allow me to make some observations here:

  • Dreams can contain aspects of things you have seen and can remember seeing; people, places, and things.

  • However, dreams can also warp these familiar elements enough for them to be uncannily different. For instance a familiar environment can be turned topsy-turvy, re-arranged, re-scaled, made more more vertical, and so on. People say or do things they wouldn't do in real life.

  • There can be fantasy aspects to dreams, such as magic and places out of fiction.

  • There are also forms in dreams which appear to be uniquely from that dream, although they may just be a mishmash of associations, some of which we do not even consciously remember.

-Dreams often reflect on and reference our psychology, such as fears and hopes. They also seem to draw from our imagination, and from things we have seen both real and fictional.

There is much art based on dreams, and many dreams based on art. And what is the commonality between dreams and art? Both serve as conduits for the imagination, dreams unconsciously and art consciously. And what is imagination? It's something entirely new, coming from our minds. Imagination is the creative force in our intellect, and dreams channel from it directly, fusing it seemlessly with snippets from our conscious memories. Art also channels directly from our imagination, and our imagination mixes from what we experience in order to make art. Much of art fuses imagination and lived experience to reflect on various aspects of life's journey.

Zhuangzi often mentions that we should seek to just enjoy life in ease rather than worry about the "best" way to live. Now what are some of our most common sources of enjoyment? Music, stories, movies, paintings, and video games. These are products of our creative force, our imaginations. Zhuangzi encourages us not to rigid so that we may enjoy life, therefore it is worth reflecting on the things that do bring us enjoyment. Notice how he said that in the butterfly dream he was enjoying himself. He questions if he is a butterfly dreaming he is Zhuangzi, implying the dream could be its own distinct reality which is connected yet seperate from his life as Zhuangzi.

Now, what else brings us enjoyment and is connected yet seperate from our lived experience? Art. Art is derived from our pure creative force of imagination. And yet often enough, it is relatable. It says something about life, almost like a reflection of some aspect of it albiet, more symbolic. And in this sense, art, imagination, and reality are inextricably linked. And where do all of them converge? Dreams. Art, dreams, and imagination bring us enjoyment, are spontaneous and freely associated to everything internal and external, and are infinitely varied. They represent the chaotic jumble of the Dao in a sense, and the way they interact and change with eachother is the "transformation of things" Zhuangzi is hinting at. We often forget our dreams, and if we didn't take the time to make art we often forget what we imagine. It is constantly changing, much like the Dao.

And by suggesting that in fact, the dream could be the actual reality, or that both could be reality, Zhuangzi is suggesting that they are all associated and have potential to be distinct realities of their own, which interact with and compliment eachother; these things give us enjoyment and allows us to reflect on the many facets, aspects, archetypes, forms, and dimensions in our experience. If rigid ideology and fixed viewpoints are what Zhuangzi suggests we take our focus away from, these things which relate to the imagination and experience seem to be the "good stuff", which makes our "free and easy wandering" all the more enjoyable.

By ending chapter 2 in this manner, he gives a closing statement which substantiates exactly why we shouldn't be so attached to what we think is true; there is more than meets the eye, and it is often beautiful, imaginative, awe-inspiring, mysterious, and enjoyable. But in order to have these things, we need to be looking on the moment with clarity, unburdened by what we think we know.


r/taoism 3d ago

18yo here. I fucking hate people and reality. Should I spend part of my vacation in something like a monastery? Where can I find one?

6 Upvotes

I feel like I can no longer sustain my life solely with the practices that once gave me meaning. I'm sick of samsara, of people, of this world. I have tried to connect with something deeper through meditation, also hitting the gym, but it is so difficult to be consistent and really feel something...

Now that I am on vacation, an idea came to mind: maybe I should simply step away from everything for a while. don't really know how.

I think about seeking a place of quietude, a spiritual retreat, a monastery where I can disconnect from the confusion of daily life and reconnect with something more essential.

Perhaps there, away from distractions and noise, I can leave behind the destructive patterns that trap me and the incessant desires that never satisfy me. I feel a longing to let go, to accept the world and the people.

I feel tired in a way that goes beyond the physical. I am exhausted by the discord and superficiality around me, but also by what I carry within myself.

There is a weight to living in a world that, to me, often seems empty of meaning. At the same time, there is a weight in looking inward and realizing my own contradictions.

I feel alienated from everything, as if I am in an endless search for something that never seems to be enough.

My perfectionism is also a burden. It traps me in constant dissatisfaction, as if nothing I do or am is ever enough.

My mind is always restless, never at ease, and this prevents me from living in the present moment or feeling truly connected to what surrounds me.

My relationships, whether they are familial, social, or intimate, often bring complexity. My deep desire for genuine connection conflicts with my fear of opening up, of being vulnerable.

I feel trapped in a cycle of dependence and frustration, where I idealize others and inevitably feel disappointed. I seek acceptance but often feel disconnected, as if there is always a barrier between me and others.

I live in a constant oscillation between my fear and my desire: fear of growth and taking on responsibilities, desire to mature and find a deeper sense.

I feel stuck between wanting to expand and the fear of failing. My mind is often a storm, oscillating between the desire for something greater and the feeling of being unable to achieve it.

I idealize my life, my relationships, my future, and when these idealizations fade, I feel empty and lost. I yearn for a true connection, like a starving dog, but I am often held back by my own internal walls, my difficulty in accepting reality as it is and people as they are. Everything is disappointing.

It seems, ultimately, that I am in a constant struggle between my desire for transformation and the weight of my limitations. I want to find balance, I want to find peace, but often, I don't know how.

Maybe stepping away from everything is an answer, maybe the experience in a monastery, with its simplicity and focus, can bring me clarity. But I am afraid. I enjoy some things in this world. I will suffer when my vices disappear.


r/taoism 3d ago

Casual Taoism mixed with other books

17 Upvotes

I discovered Taoism in high school after reading Tao of Jeet Kune Do. Since then I’ve read the Tao Teh Ching and found that it has really helped me. It has applicable lessons all throughout the book.

Later, I tried LSD and read “Heaven and Hell” by Aldous Huxley while also reading the Tao Teh Ching. It had an interesting contrast. Very emotional experience.

Despite not being very religious, I find that this helps me deal with my issues a lot.

Does anyone else relate? Is anyone else here a more casual Taoist? And is it appropriate to call myself a Taoist?


r/taoism 4d ago

The Last Dance -- a 2024 film from Hong Kong about Taoist priests

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23 Upvotes

r/taoism 4d ago

Sharing mystical experiences

24 Upvotes

The oldest known version of Lao Tzu's text (from Guodian) for chapter 56 begins with:

知之者弗言 zhī zhī zhě fú yán

言之者弗知 yán zhī zhě fú zhī

With reasonable directness, it can be translated "Those who know/understand X don't talk about it; those who talk about X don't know/understand it."

Why I chose the Guodian version is because compared to newer versions (which go 知者不言,言者不知) it has the words 之 zhi (=it/them/"X") as an addition and 弗 fu (=doesn't/don't [following verb] it/them) instead of 不 bu (=doesn't/don't/not/un-/non-). This makes it meansomething more than just "those who know don't speak" which is so easy to take as a challenge to keep silent about everything. Considering that the rest of the chapter talks of a mystical state of mind (玄同 xuan tong, "mystical/profound union"), the opening lines can be taken to refer to that theme with its 之 particle (which can be used before what it refers to is even mentioned).

With all that, Lao Tzu appears to tell us that sharing mystical experiences is not fruitful, and that those who attempt it are yet to realize its futility. In other words, we're better off being indirect about the subject, instead focusing on effable effects and realizations that such possible experiences have had on us.

That's just my thought about it. Any further thoughts about mystical experiences or the chapter in question?


r/taoism 5d ago

Story or Explanation for the Trigrams?

10 Upvotes

I’m currently reading/going over “The Taoist I Ching” translated by Thomas Cleary and when he’s going over Hexigram 29 there’s the following quote:

“In human beings after heaven and earth interact, the one point of original yang runs to the palace of earth. Earth is filled and becomes Water and Heaven changes into Fire.“

It is talking about human beings and it goes further into falling into the pitfalls of habit not knowing how to stop.

Is there a continuation of that story/quote above? From Heaven and Earth to Water and Fire, that explains the remaining cycle/creation of the remaining Trigrams?


r/taoism 4d ago

A conversation between a scientist, and a recording artist

3 Upvotes

This was a great interview between Rick Reuben and Andrew Huber and. A short clip I thought was great. I hope the link is OK.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18zraEMh9m/


r/taoism 5d ago

Understanding Balance Through Extremes

40 Upvotes

Often, an individual must experience one extreme to truly grasp the significance of its opposite. An excess of one thing and the absence of another creates imbalance, and a perceptive mind will eventually recognize the importance of what is missing.

This process is intrinsic to life. People spend much of their time oscillating between extremes, exploring and testing both sides in different phases. Over time, they begin to discern the advantages and drawbacks of each. Through this understanding, the individual comes to embrace the middle path—a state where conflict is minimized, and the benefits of both extremes coexist, free from their downsides.

This is the essence of maturity. It arises when one shines a light on their unconscious, confronting internal conflicts with almost no friction. Having walked both paths and understood their lessons, a mature individual finds harmony in the balance, appreciating the profound value of the middle ground.


r/taoism 6d ago

Does someone know which is the translation used in the Tao Te Ching included in this book: The Art of War & Other Classics of Eastern Philosophy

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13 Upvotes

r/taoism 7d ago

Should hope be avoided since it is just as illusory as fear?

28 Upvotes

Hope has psychological benefits, does it not? And yet I definitely see the logic of it being one side of the same coin as fear. I can see how a balance can be attempted, but it comes across as cherry picking what to put on a pedestal and what not to.

Tao te Ching chapter 13

Success is as dangerous as failure.

Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure?

Whether you go up the ladder or down it, your position is shaky.

When you stand with your two feet on the ground, you will always keep your balance.

What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?

Hope and fear are both phantoms that arise from thinking of the self.

When we don’t see the self as self, what do we have to fear?


r/taoism 7d ago

What's you guys opinion on the run from Forrest Gump?

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29 Upvotes

r/taoism 7d ago

Is there a good pocket-sized translation so I can always have a physical copy with me?

5 Upvotes

I have a lil shoulder purse and have had the Stephen Mitchell translation pocket edition in it for awhile now. Recently I was told (and noted myself) how inaccurate this translation can be. While I see a host of superior translations, I’m stumped in finding a good pocket edition.


r/taoism 7d ago

Logical Mysticism

8 Upvotes

r/taoism 7d ago

What do diamonds symbolize in taoism?

9 Upvotes

For years now I've just been hearing the word "diamonds" as I'm going throughout my day. It's not like I'm hearing it spoken externally...the voices are internally in my head.

It seems that when I hear this word, I am on a good path. Taking care of myself, exercising, etc.

I did find some stuff online about taoism and the diamond body but I'd like to hear your thoughts please


r/taoism 8d ago

I want to learn but I need books.

14 Upvotes

What I want to learn is:
Taoist cosmology and Taoist magic (like Fulu, etc.)

Please recommend some good sources! :^)


r/taoism 8d ago

"The Butterfly Dream" - The Chuang Tzu 莊子

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3 Upvotes

r/taoism 9d ago

To be okay with not knowing

70 Upvotes

Questions such as "is there a God, who is this God, what are his characteristics, What is the purpose/meaning of life?"

Such questions always lingered in our mind, more or less. Some seek refuge in science, or religion, just so for maintaining their sanity, and hope to know the answer to their questions.

But let's put things into a different perspective: When you look at a portrait, a painting, does the knowledge of who created the portrait change how you feel towards it? In most cases, no. If we enjoy the painting, we like it. If we think it's ugly, then we dislike it. Having knowledge of the creator won't magically change how we perceive the work.

Now imagine life as a piece of art. A portrait signed with an invisible ink. We can't read the sign to know who made it, and any effort to discover the creator is futile. The truth is simply beyond the comprehension of our mind.

There's nothing wrong in questioning purpose, and meaning, as this is part of our journey. But do not delve into this hole for all your life. Ultimately, one must be content in not knowing. Once we are in terms with this fact, we start to see life for what it is, and enjoy it to the fullest extent. All the light and dark colours, all the contrast and contradictions, all the ups and downs, happiness and pain, the diversities, we swim through it and admire life for what it is.

Life simply is, we simply are. See the painting and be mindful that the canvas is holding it all together. So in the midst of all the contrasts and contradictions, the pure canvas is what unites all.

You are the canvas my friend. We all are.


r/taoism 9d ago

Bringing the Tao to Spanish Readers: A New Chinese-Spanish Edition 🌿📖

11 Upvotes

Hi everyone (and "Hola" to any Spanish speakers here)!

I’ve recently completed a personal project that I’d like to share with this community: a bilingual edition of the Tao Te Ching in Chinese and Spanish. 🌿 This version is the result of working directly with the original text in Chinese, alongside six well-regarded translations in Spanish, English, and French, to create something that is both faithful and accessible.

📖 What makes this edition special?
1️⃣ A new direct translation from the Chinese text.
2️⃣ A side-by-side layout of Chinese and Spanish.
3️⃣ Notes and a glossary to deepen understanding of key terms.
4️⃣ Six essential Chinese characters highlighted in color for easy reference.

I’ve made this available on Amazon [link here], priced as low as the platform allows, but I’d be more than happy to send you the PDF for free if you’d prefer not to buy the physical book or want to review it before purchasing. Just let me know, sharing the wisdom of the Tao is more important than selling books.

Let me know what you think! 🙏


r/taoism 9d ago

A growing library of Taoist inspired articles

29 Upvotes

Each article includes audio narration for your listening pleasure! Click on the "Feedback" button to request new articles or share your thoughts or suggestions. https://qigong-with-carlos.com/library