Wiki source for Tao
======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 harmonize 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).
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[[Metaphysics]] [[TaiChi]]
//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 harmonize 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).
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[[Metaphysics]] [[TaiChi]]
