By: Tevin Johnson

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What is Daoism/Taoism?

• Tao means “the way.”

• It is not monotheistic

• Instead of gods there are masters

• Tao masters spread the teaching of Tao

• Taoism reaches into its followers physical, intellectual, and spiritual lives.

• Taoist say that the Tao that can’t be expressed in words is the real Tao

• To a Taoist the way someone treats their body is as important as what they think, believe, or do to others

• Taoists believe that a healthy body is the first step in a lofty spiritual state

• Taoists forbids no food

Master Zhang San Feng

• Watched birds and animals’ movements

• Founder of taijiquan (t’ai chi ch’uan)

• Taiji exercises helps control breathing• Other exercises embody the natural ‘qi’ of animals

and tenisions that keep others from obtaining inner peace and being in touch with Tao

Meditation

• Used to come into harmony with the universe• The concept of wu wei (“not doing”) is the center of the

Taoist meditation

The Variety of Taoism

• Taoist masters prefer to have students come to them

• Many masters have different interpretations of the belief of the Tao

• There are many levels of Taoism– The purest level can be the basis for a life of

prayer and contemplation

• All Taoists seek harmony and balance in their lives

Yin/Yang

• Yin can’t exist without yang

• The are mostly known to be exact opposites and that is true.

“Yin is passive; yang is active. Yin is cool; Yang is warm. Yin is night; Yang is day. Yin is female; Yang is male.”

Final Facts

• Taoism accepts many point of views and practices

• Taoist monks and nuns stay in monasteries and live to achieve spiritual perfection

• Some people study different Taoist medicines or the practice taijiquan and meditaion. Either way they consider themselves Taoist.

Taoist Phrases

*Teach by example, not by words.

* Pretty words aren't sincere, sincere words aren't pretty.