philosophy
there used to be a lot more up here. but as i have learned more of taoism, i have learned not to desire conflict, and have removed certain texts.
taoism
i am a practicing taoist. (is there any other kind?) taoism, to me, is everything i've always looked for in a philosophy. a quick run down, of the Way that cannot be understood: (that's irony, kids.)taoism's key principles are
- natural simplicity - the five tastes numb the tounge, the five colours blind the eye, the five notes numb the ear. there's really no need for all of the mess that society today has created, everything trying to be everything else - coffee pots with alarm clocks would be a good example. everything has it's own tao, it's own nature. there's no need to mix everything up. have you ever made a soup using every spice in your cupboard? don't do it. trust me.
- effortless action - ah, slack. let things come to you. don't take up walking on your lunch hour for exercise, that's silly. instead, walk to work in the morning! don't expend energy to do something that you're going to achieve anyway, or set a goal that can be obtained by fullfilling another. if you work too hard at achieving your dreams, every molehill you run across is going to look like a mountain. by being willing to adjust, you can walk around them instead of trying to go through them.
- spontaneity - opportunity only knocks once. try new things, and don't be so set in your ways that you forget to have fun. take advantage of situations, because you never know if you'll get another shot at it. as the butthole surfers said, it's better to regret something you did, than something you didn't do.
- compassion - there's more to compassion than just being civil to people. put yourself in their shoes. what do you think would be more useful, and mean more, to a homeless man - ten bucks, or a poncho and lunch? have a little heart for your fellow earthlings, too, eh? i'm not saying you should be a vegetarian, like me, but please don't wear fur, or eat veal, or any of the other thousands of things that you know are complete abuses of our planet. mom's patience is wearing thin...