Daoism–The Way of Paradox and Ease / Raj Ayyar
Daoism is an ancient Chinese nature spirituality–a non-religion, till its decay in later generations. A non-religion of ease, paradox, and energy flow.
You cannot pray to the Dao for favors–it is a subtle force that pervades all things and is unaware of its own greatness.
You cannot beat up or marginalize the Other, because they offend your smelly little nationalism or religious chauvinism. Daoism in its origins has no identity badges that allow you to do that.
–Raj Ayyar
‘When people see some things as beautiful,
other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good, other things become bad.
Being and non-being create each other.
Difficult and easy support each other.
Long and short define each other.’
–Daodejing, 2.
If you want to shrink something,
you must first allow it to expand.
If you want to get rid of something, you must first allow it to expand.
If you want to take something, you must first allow it to be given.’
–Daodejing, 36.
Taken from Tao Te Ching, tr. Stephen Mitchell.