Revision [28493]
This is an old revision of Tao made by OpenMindSpace on 2013-07-12 08:52:20.
Tao 道
Tao or Dao is an ancient Chinese Metaphysics metaphysical concept, thought to originate with LaoTzu Lao Tzu, which is often translated as The Way or The Path. Tao signifies the primordial essence or fundamental nature of the universe. In the foundational text of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching, Laozi explains that Tao is not a 'name' for a 'thing' but the underlying natural order of the universe whose ultimate essence is difficult to circumscribe. Tao is thus "eternally nameless” (Dao De Jing-32. Laozi) and to be distinguished from the countless 'named' things which are considered to be its manifestations.
In Taoism, ChineseBuddhism Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism, the object of spiritual practice is to 'become one with the tao' (TaoTeChing Tao Te Ching) or to harmonise one's will with Nature (cf. Stoicism) in order to achieve 'effortless action' (WuWei Wu wei). This involves meditative and moral practices. Important in this respect is the Taoist concept of De (德; virtue).
Metaphysics TaiChi
