Lexie,
In class we are learning about Taoism and its various core values; one sticks out to me more than any other: action/non-action or being/non-being. In our lecture a specialist explores various ways to look at what The Tao, the 6th reinforcing this value: "Tao is the original state of the thing." You know my thoughts about how our modern culture is not sustainable to the human spirit and goes against our innate natures.
So we have "tao" - "a way" to reach "The Tao" - "original state". Action/non-action/being/nonbeing is the way of trying to describe the core value of Taoism that pursuing purposeful action is a way of self-undermining. This has a lot to do with the overarching theme of humility and warns against ambition. This seems radical but think about it... ambition is the root of a lot of suffering. We work hard so that we can survive, but the system is set up to feed the ambitions of the wealthy. Greed & ambition go hand in hand... but if we were allowed to just exist we would be in a utopia. There are too many examples to list. Instead of us chasing ambition to change our lives, Taoism would say to exist and what is meant to be pursued will come to you. If you don't accept the identity thrust on you then you will eventually find who you are in your natural state. Action is born out of non action, being is born out of non-being.
Tao Te Ching warns against ambition, taking glory, accruing excessive wealth, using force to form authority... this is clearly about politics. What we have been dealing with today was taking shape in China when the book was written (6th century BC China). This was a feudal era in China, so naturally there was wars and structural changes, caste systems that allowed for corruption and internal power struggles, and a King with total control. The Tao has a lot of critique when it comes to these things... and honestly I wish this was applied more in today's society.
Miss you always,
Pixie
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