Taoism in the Modern World

Taoism in the Modern World

The Tao Te Ching is the second most revised book in the world; the bible is the only one that has been revised more. It was written sometime between the sixth and the third century BC when china descended into chaos of rival kingdoms. It was supposedly written by Lao Tan, a possible mythical figure, who has said to have lived till he was 160 to 200 years old, but some believe that he is still alive and is wonder out in the woods.

Ever since I began reading about Taoism I have change my point of view about life. “Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart”(Tao). This line in itself has taught me to not look at life as objects but to look at it as a gift. People today have lost touch with what is really important about living. No one goes around smiling anymore. I can remember as a child seeing people smile all the time, maybe that was because I was young and did not see a lot of people. I believe that if people would start to read Taoism and try to understand it than people maybe happy to be alive. This paper is going to focus mainly on ways that the average person can use Taoism to better his or her life.

Even as children we base our life on material things. Our parents buy us toys to make us happy, give us candy to make us smile, and turn on the television to keep us occupied. If a child grow up with out any of these things, would that child be any lesser of a person. The child that grows up with out all this would probably grow up to become a very creative person. The child that grows up with no toys and no television would have had to create his own toys and his own stories.

The Tao can be used every day if people would try to use it. Many people treasure t...

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... up and my pen ran out of ink. I feel that the Tao help me write this paper. One quote that helped me was, “Men knowing the way of life do without acting”(The Way of Life 63). I feel that with the Tao I can accomplish anything. If I do not try to succeed at something than I will. If I do not try to write a paper than my thoughts will come to me and I will be able to write a good paper. I will also treat other people with a more respect than I did before. I will do this just by not saying anything at all. “Those who talk do not know”(Tao 56). The Tao can help everyone only if they let the Tao into their lives.

Works Cited Page

Tsu, Lao. Tao Te Ching. Vintage Books Edition, August 1989.

Bynner, Witter. The Way of Life. The John Day Company, New

York: 1944.

Carus, Paul. The Canon of Reason and Virtue. The Open Court Publishing Company, La Salle, Illinois: 1954