THE TAO OF ME:
Eastern Religion
in the
Western World
Taoism vs. Daoism:
Pop Culture, and the Misconception
“I want to live simply. I want to sit by the window when it rains and read books I’ll never be tested on. I want to paint because I want to, not because I have something to prove. I want to listen to my body, fall asleep when the moon is high and wake up slowly, with no place to rush off to. I want not to be governed by money or clocks or any of the artificial restraints that humanity imposes on itself. I just want to be, boundless and infinite.”
The following was said by an unknown author, but within its text holds the misconception pop culture has thrust upon Taoism and Buddhism. The text creates a skewed view. In pop culture Taoism is viewed as the path of the rebel, rejecting society in order to achieve harmony with oneself as a separate entity. This simply is not true. Taoism teaches some anarchist tendencies, but not to the degree that we should all reject the institutions society has put in place. Such institutions exist to aid us in living. I’ve discovered such misconceptions are even furthered by one of the books I read to demystify Taoism, the Tao of Pooh.
It was only by reading through the Dao de Jing. I discovered Taoism, and what I have come to know as “Daoism,” are vastly different. Taoism, as we in America have come to know, is best understood as a form of alternate spirituality called “Popular Western Taoism.” Books, such as the Tao of Pooh, fail to provide an accurate account of Daoism. They are considered as a part of a popular Western culture, New Age spirituality, as well as a self-help and pop psychology. Though Western Taoism does have connection with the Daoist Doctrines, it has no actual relation to the religious traditions in Daoism. I found this very apparent after reading the Dao de Jing. While on the surface, the Dao de Jing seems made up of simple metaphors for leading a good, balanced life; however, if we take a look at certain passages, we undoubtedly see chinese spirituality imbedded within.
In China, Daoism is a highly complex religion that involves daily rituals giving tribute to the ancestors, as well as meditation to calm the self. It believes in the connectiveness of all things. Though not structured in such a way that there is a central definition to what Daoism is the religious practices are there. The Dao de Jing is probably the most central and influential scripture in Daoist history, different Daoist adherents, communities and movements revere different scriptures. The primary textual collection in the Daoist tradition is called the Daozang, which is an open textual collection, with new additions having been made throughout Daoist history.
Yoga is a practice that has been highly associated with Taoism and many of the other Eastern philosophies. Though there are stretching and meditative exercises routed in Daoist tradition. The term Yoga itself is derived from sanskrit.