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The purpose of the following list is to
address particular issues which weigh heavily on our lives, and to give examples
of how Reform Taoist principles might be used to cope with them. Please
feel free to e-mail us with any
suggestions you may have pertaining to this list (i.e. subjects that should be
added, revisions, etc.)
 Meditation Music and the
Arts Nature,
Protection of Other
Religions, Our Approach to Prayer Procreation Qi Science Sexuality
and Lust Sexual
Orientation Social
Structure, in Modern Society Social
Structure, Within the Reform Taoist Community Tao Te Tolerance Traditional
Taoism, Our Connection to Violence
and Military Force WealthMEDITATIONMeditation is a term which means something a little bit different to every person. To us, it is defined only as whatever type of introspection an individual uses to gain insight into Nature and the Way. For some, this is a classic sitting meditation. For some, walking may be the key to concentration. Regardless of what form a person's meditation takes, Reform Taoists are careful to set aside time for meditation regularly, allowing us to constantly adapt to the world around us.MUSIC AND THE ARTSArtistic endeavors are frequently overlooked and discounted by Western culture, in favor of more analytical and concrete pursuits. This is probably due to the fact that relatively few people have enough artistic drive to dedicate their lives to their art.Reform Taoism takes a much different stand. While we can only perceive so much with our eyes and our intellects, art allows us to perceive the universe in a completely different way. Artists have a gift for detaching their intellect from their imagination, and this allows their creations to be completely untouched by fallible human reasoning. By bypassing that reasoning and intellect, art can truly communicate directly with the soul. Artistic expression is the closest humans can come to communicating the Tao to each other, and for that reason it is precious. To discount or invalidate it would be to discount the reality of the Tao. NATURE, PROTECTION OFIt is through Nature that we observe and study the Tao. Nature is the true, unbiased manifestation of the Way. Thus, if we harm Nature, we are acting contrary to the Tao, and we are also injuring our own ability to perceive it. We act in the interest of the Natural world wherever and whenever possible, through ecological and environmental activism, as well as active protest against those who would carelessly damage Nature for their own gain.OTHER RELIGIONS, OUR APPROACH TOWe believe that all religions essentially seek the same understanding. No religious path is "better" than another (since every creature sees the universe in a slightly different way), but because we are Taoists, we understandably believe that Taoism is more "direct" than other traditions. We make that statement based on the following observations:1) We do not feel the need to personify the Tao or depict it as a personal god(s), unlike the vast majority of organized world religions. 2) We do not need the selfish goals of "salvation" and "immortality" to keep us on the Path; we seek a more evolved, self-reliant sense of conscience, and we devote our lives to harmonizing that conscience with the Way. 3) We do not believe in sin, in concepts of damnation or godly retribution, or in karma; if one of our brothers or sisters strays from the Path, it is seen as part of the learning process, and nothing more. We devote ourselves to the Tao not out of fear or selfish concerns, but because we have a responsibility to ourselves and to Nature to do so. It should be stressed that we hold other religions in the highest regard -- after all, we are all working toward a common vision. We do not judge other traditions as "right" or "wrong"; we recognize that given of a number of paths to the same destination, some paths will be more direct than others. PRAYERWe do not practice "prayer" in the common sense of the word. Because the Tao is not personal, we do not practice the voicing of personal concerns and requests to the Tao. We believe that the insight we need as humans comes from Nature and the Way, not from a personal god. We therefore find the answers to our personal problems through inner meditation and outer observation.PROCREATIONAs we have already discussed, human life is to be treasured and kept with the highest respect. It follows that procreation is one of the most important acts humans are capable of. However, our devotion to the Tao indicates that we must take responsibility for maintaining harmony and balance in our lives and the lives of others. (The growing problem of global overpopulation is an indication that humanity is losing its balance as a species with Nature).QIThe First Law of Thermodynamics asserts that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but can only change form. In the last century, Albert Einstein mathematically demonstrated that matter and energy are interchangeable. We believe that the basis for these natural laws is the existence of qi (or chi), the "breath" of the universe. Qi is the most basic form of energy, that which comprises all others (including matter, both living and non-living). It is constantly changing - dispersing, condensing, and flowing.Regarding the qi of human beings, while we believe that qi circulates within each person and flows between each person and his or her environment, we do not presume to know whether qi can be consciously or physically controlled (as through Qigong practice or acupuncture); we leave that determination up to each individual's own personal experience and beliefs. SCIENCEBecause the Tao cannot be comprehended through human intellect, and because science is considered an intellectual pursuit, the study of the Tao and the study of science necessarily follow two completely separate paths. However, each frequently lends support to the other. Thus, the pursuit of science (which is often seen as a threat to some religions) should be not only tolerated, but nurtured.SEXUALITY AND LUSTTraditional Religious Taoism is famous for its teachings on this matter. It teaches that sexual activity is essentially a life-draining activity, and must be engaged in sparingly if one is to remain healthy and strong; if one absolutely insists on engaging in frequent sexual activity, one is urged to learn techniques such as "retrograde ejaculation", which can be physically dangerous. Reform Taoism takes a much different approach: Sexual instinct is one of our strongest ties to Nature as human beings, along with hunger, our sense of community, and other such attributes. As such, to ignore or suppress it would be to suppress our ties to the Tao, and thus hinder our search for the Way. Therefore, if our Natural impulses indicate a need for sexual activity, we should do our best (within the limitations of reason, civility, and rationality) to accommodate that need.It would, of course, be a mistake to over-indulge in such activity as well. Our Natural impulses direct us very precisely as to when we require sexual activity, just as they tell us when we require food or water; we must simply learn to listen. Furthermore, in modern society, sexual activity is not necessarily connected with procreation. We feel this is a justifiable distinction, and because of that we completely endorse the use of artificial birth control. SEXUAL ORIENTATIONGiven that Reform Taoism is a "Natural" religion, some might wonder whether we label homosexuality as "unnatural" and summarily condemn it as anti-Tao. Actually, our approach to this issue is quite the contrary.The reason for this is that the word "Nature", to us, has a much different meaning than for non-Taoists. We believe that Nature is the outward expression of the Tao. All things and energies in the Universe are integral parts of the Tao, and thus nothing which naturally exists is inherently anti-Tao. Therefore, the very fact that homosexuality naturally exists makes it an essential and integral part of the Tao. Love is only unnatural when it is denied and oppressed. SOCIAL STRUCTURE, IN MODERN SOCIETYWe believe that social equality and equal rights must be preserved in all facets of society. We actively protest legal and social movements whose goals would cause others to suffer on the basis of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, occupation, nationality, heritage, beliefs, religion, expression, or even their species.SOCIAL STRUCTURE, WITHIN THE WESTERN REFORM TAOIST CONGREGATIONAll members of the Reform Taoist Congregation have an equal voice, regardless of personal differences. We function as a community, and we freely exchange ideas. Personal attacks are not tolerated by our community, nor is pointless bickering. We ask and expect that all of our members are courteous and respectful of other brothers and sisters. The Congregation is a forum for us to learn and grow in our dedication and commitment to the Tao, and must never be used for injury or hate.TAO"The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right. The concept of Tao (alternatively spelled "Dao") is our most deeply held belief, and the foundation for our religion. The concept originated in ancient China as a basis for philosophical thought, and was later incorporated into a religious movement. The Chinese word "Tao" roughly translates as "Way"; for Taoists, it refers to a non-sentient, impersonal power that surrounds and flows through all things, living and non-living. The Tao regulates Natural processes and nourishes balance in the Universe. It benevolently embodies the harmony of opposites (i.e., there would be no love without hate, no light without dark, no male without female). Laotse, an ancient Chinese philosopher (or perhaps a composite of several philosophers), is widely regarded as the founder of ancient philosophical Taoism. He taught that "The Tao that can be told is not the Eternal Tao; the Name that can be named is not the Eternal Name." In other words, the Way simply defies description. The only true way to seek it is through personal spiritual exploration and dedication. TETe (alternatively spelled "De") is the "unfolding" of Tao. In other words, while Tao is the Nature of the universe and all within it, Te is the embodiment and manifestation of Tao within each of the Ten Thousand Things. Te is the virtue that we sense in others who seem to be intimately tuned to their own Nature and their place in existence; it is the property possessed by those things (including humans) which are content with their own existence, and have no need for facade or pretense, jealousy or envy.TOLERANCE"In dealing with others, be gentle and kind." "Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things." Taoism is a faith which applies to all parts of life, and social tolerance is one of the foremost of those applications. The philosophy of yin and yang has an indisputable connection with racial and social harmony. We are all one people, whether short or tall, homosexual or heterosexual, Muslim or Christian, black or white. Furthermore, other species are not exempt from our tolerance. Every creature must be treated with respect, lest we injure the harmony of the Tao in Nature. We must never harm or kill unless it is unavoidable. TRADITIONAL TAOISM, OUR CONNECTION TOLaotse, Chuangtse and -- to a lesser degree -- other prominent figures in the Traditional Taoist tradition, hold a strong place in Reform Taoism (hence the various passages from the Tao Te Ching and the Hua Hu Ching which have been included in this Statement of Beliefs). After all, without their teachings, our religion would not exist. We believe that ancient Taoist texts must be used to understand our philosophical history, but in many cases need not be taken literally. The authors of the ancient works were writing for a different world, and from different experiences. Our religion was formed to nurture Taoism in the modern, western world. In order to succeed in that mission, we must develop new methods of teaching which are effective and meaningful to modern life.Thus, the ancient texts are indeed revered and respected as representing our heritage and roots. Reform Taoism, however, is dedicated to developing new ways to discuss and learn about the Tao, rather than relying on texts with which many people cannot identify. VIOLENCE AND MILITARY FORCE(SEE ALSO TOLERANCE)"Good weapons are instruments of fear; all creatures hate them. "A brave and passionate man will kill or be killed. The problem of the "military" concept is a very gray issue in Western Reform Taoism. While we abhor violence as a rule, the military is a very clear example of a basic yin-yang relationship. Those who enter the military generally do so not because they want to destroy for the sake of destroying, but because they want to serve and protect their country, its people and its ideals. A philosophical problem arises when we consider that the fundamental purpose of the military and the focus of its training is built on one clear principle: The destruction of one people in order to save another. Our doctrine supports the use of violence for only one reason: To preserve life. The military is the embodiment of methodical, strategic destruction, which we vehemently oppose. We must consider, though, that the larger purpose of the military (ideally) is to preserve life. Thus, we are obliged to tolerate the military insofar as it is a "necessary evil" of the modern world; we should, however, continue to vigorously explore other non-violent methods of global conflict resolution, in the hope that military force might one day be obsolete. WEALTH"He who knows he has enough is rich." Reform Taoism is very open to individual judgment on matters of wealth and financial security; each person has different financial needs and priorities. Ultimately, though, a physically-comfortable existence enables a person to see his or her spiritual journey with greater clarity and peace of mind. Thus, we believe simply that an individual should strive for (and be allowed by society to attain) whatever level of financial comfort he or she requires to live comfortably and happily -- no more, no less. After all, too little wealth is harmful to the body; too much wealth is harmful to the soul. |
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