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Four Ways of Approaching Taoism

Basically we may trace four ways of approaching Taoism. Here they are:

1. The ethical approach based on the ideas of living in harmony with everything that surrounds us, love our neighbor, do not kill etc. From this perspective Taoism resembles any religion. Most Taoist presentations on the Net embrace the ethical vision.

2. The metaphysical, the so-called union with Tao, that is, with the Supreme Power or Nature. However, it is unclear what or who is Tao, or this Supreme Power, and how this union is possible in a concrete way. This approach usually accompanies the first. In this respect, we find all sorts of ethical and metaphysical blends with dietary advice and so forth.

3. The sinologists/experts approach who see the ancient Taoism as a museum of curiosities and therefore dead and ineffective. This approach can be found in university sites, at specialists, translators, philosophers and even Marxists!

4. Taoism viewed as a way of life (this is also our approach). We strongly believe that the ancient Taoism provides one a great deal of teachings and methods to free him/herself from the turmoil of the today life and deeply injected neurosis.

You can find more about this way of life by taking our Tao Practice in the Day to Day Life email course.

Read also

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• Taoism practice
   
• What we mean by practicing Taoism
   
• Benefit of practicing Taoism
   
• Master Lu on Taoism
  Commented sayings and dialogues
   
• Taoism beliefs
   

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