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Chi- the universal energy

Posted on January 31st, 2008 in Beliefs, Spirituality, Uncategorized by

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In Tao beliefs, Chi is the vital energy in the universe from which the rest of the world was created. It is believed to exist in every living creature. Though the source of Chi is unknown to man, it is cosmic in nature and it is manifested and can be applied practically through disciplines such as martial arts.

People try to create a link between themselves and Chi by using images and pictures of gods in religious ceremonies which they believe bring themselves closer to the Chi and helps them find the path in life. It is common Taoist belief that this connection to Chi gives them mental strength and fortitude and gives them a better understanding of life and all its realities. This connection makes them realize their mistakes in the past and also helps them see clearly their place in the world.

Chi Kung is the ancient art of developing such energy which brings with it better health, longevity, vitality and helps one become more spiritual no matter what one’s religion, sex or cultural beliefs. This is called Chi Kung in Taoism while Hindus refer to their method as Yoga and the Ancient Egyptians called it the ‘mystery art’.

Attaining the energy helps in curing a number of diseases from everyday ailments to more serious medical problems.  A lower level of chi kung training brings about better blood circulation, muscle relaxation and the like while a slightly more advanced level of chi kung is believed to prevent ailments like common cold, fever and curing things like asthma, body aches and pains, tuberculosis and some others. High level practicing of Chi Kung is believed to give one enough energy to fight diseases like ulcers, diabetes and even cancer.

This is based on the belief that if there is insufficient energy in the human body the natural systems of the body do not work properly and thus illness occurs.

Taoism

Posted on November 27th, 2007 in Uncategorized by

Taoism (or Daoism) is the English name referring to a variety of related Chinese philosophical traditions and concepts. These traditions influenced East Asia for over two thousand years and some have spread internationally. Taoism’s origins may be traced to prehistoric Chinese religions in China. They are found in the composition of the Tao Te Ching (3rd or 4th century BCE), or amidst the activity of Zhang Daoling (2nd century AD). Laozi received imperial recognition as a divinity in the mid second century CE. Taoism gained official status in China during the Tang Dynasty, whose emperors claimed Laozi as their relative.Taoist propriety and ethics emphasize the Three Jewels of the Tao; namely, compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoist thought focuses on wu wei (” action that does not involve struggle or excessive effort” ) spontaneity, humanism, and emptiness. There is debate over how, and whether, Taoism should be subdivided. Some scholars have divided it into the following three categories

·         “Philosophical Taoism”. (Daojia). A philosophical school based on the texts Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi;

·         “Religious Taoism”. (Daojiao). A family of organized Chinese religious movements originating from the Celestial Masters movement during the late Han Dynasty and later including the “Orthodox” (Zhengyi) and “Complete Reality” (Quanzhen) sects, which trace back to Lao Zi or Zhang Daoling in the late Han Dynasty;

·         “Folk Taoism”. The Chinese folk religion.

Tao can be roughly stated to be the flow of the universe, or the force behind the natural order. Tao is believed to be the influence that keeps the universe balanced and ordered. This is intimately tied to the complex concept of Te, or literally “virtue”. Te is the active expression of Tao. Taoism generally expresses this as “integrity” or “wholeness”. Tao is considered a “way”, while Te is the active living, or cultivation, of that “way”. The number of Taoists is difficult to estimate, partly for definitional reasons. There are many symbols associated with Taoism but the most famous one is  (”yin and yang”) symbol. Taoism has been a resource for those in environmental philosophy, who see the non-anthropocentric nature of Taoism as a guide for new ways of thinking about nature and environmental ethics.