2006-01-04
Comparison of Taoism with Christianity
I find a different spirit in Taoism than I do in religion or even in ordinary Western ways.
In the West we seem to be on a quest to love God and/or to pursue happiness. We've been commanded to love God. It's the "greatest commandment." But Taoism has no commands. We love the Tao because the Tao supports us without demanding or commanding. We can't help but love the Tao. It requires no effort. It's natural and genuine love. Love on command isn't real. No wonder we have so much doubt. And we've been given the "inalienable right" to the pursuit of happiness.
But happiness is a result, not a pursuit. I'm glad we have the freedom to live in such a way so as to satisfy our needs. But does it really take much for us to be happy? The advertisers for the corporations want us to believe it does. The Tao Te Ching knows our needs are simple and that love and happiness are spontaneous. I'm glad Taoism has this practical side to it, and that it meshes perfectly with the "spiritual" vision of Tao.
And we're not in it for a future reward. The beatific vision is now. Satisfaction is now. Wholeness is now. We don't need to claw our way to the top, or to heaven. We're home already, and we've been give all we need to be whole and satisfied.
Posted by: Jim
At Taoist-Path
meyamind at 2:21 a.m.
