Are you a Taoists ???

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A large state is like a low-lying estuary,
the female of all under heaven.
In the congress of all under heaven,
the female always conquers the male through her stillness.
Because she is still,
it is fitting for her to lie low.
By lying beneath a small state,
a large state can take over a small state.
By lying beneath a large state,
a small state can be taken over by a large state.

Therefore,
One may either take over or be taken over by lying low.

Therefore,
The large state wishes only to annex and nurture others;
The small state wants only to join with and serve others.

Now,
Since both get what they want,
It is fitting for the large state to lie low.

When the Way prevails under heaven,
swift horses are regulated to fertilizing fields.
When the Way does not prevail under heaven,
war-horses breed in the suburbs.

No guilt is greater than giving in to desire,
No disaster is greater than discontent,
No crime is more grievous than the desire for gain.

Therefore,
Contentment that derives from knowing
when to be content
is eternal contentment.

My Mum was going to enrol on a relaxation course and it recommended the Winnie-the-Pooh book about Taoism so I bought her a copy and I was hooked!

I particularly liked the story about the stone mason who always wants more power and eventually it comes back to being a stone mason. I know so many people who spend their lives wanting more money and more things and more power, but they're never satisfied when they reach their goals.

So then I bought a copy of the Tao te ching and although I find it hard to understand in places, some of the sayings really struck a chord with me.

To me, taoism is all about accepting what you have and adapting to it. In addition to AS, I also have an incurable health problem, and that philosophy is really the only one I can follow in order to be happy.

Yes, the tao has helped me get over my "why me" complex. I think it would help many people get over their "problems".

I have heard of it and heard it is pretty cool, but I have not actually read it, save for a few quotes.

I've heard that Taoism has quite a lot in common with quantum mechanics.

What I have read of Tao Te Ching and Chuang-tzu I found great and if I were obliged to choose a methaphisical doctrine I would choose Tao.

Sweet! I read some tao on a daily basis. It's the only doctrine i will accept these days.

Ive heard that the Yi-Ching has a lot in common with DNA, the basic numerology and structure of both systems being the same.

I downloaded the 'timewave zero' software, but it was a bit over my head!

I've been reading Dr. Wayne Dyer's interpretation of it. It has greatly influenced the way I view life.

I've read too much on the Tao. I was originally interested in Buddhism, but it never clicked completely. I always felt it was lacking something. Well after discovering the Tao, I realized it wasn't missing anything, it was try to be as complicated as today's bureaucratic religions.
I still like Buddhism more then the Judeo/Christian concepts, but Taoism kinda turned on a light switch in my head. Its a great explanation of the universe and how our actions and lack of actions can alter history forever.

Ruling a big kingdom is like cooking a small fish.
If one undersees all under heaven in accord with the Way,
demons have no spirit.
It is not that the demons have no spirit,
but that their spirits do not harm people.
It is not merely that their spirits do not harm people,
but that the sage also does not harm them.

Now,
When neither harms the other,
integrity accrues to both.

wow that sounds great. this might be a religion i can actually commit too!

Quality is the Tao.

According to Robert Pirsig anyhow. So far I am inclined to believe him.

Hmm? Familiar with Pirsig?

No, not really, but i would love to read his book about motorcycle maintanence.