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Mike Shreve was a teacher of yoga at four universities. (The portrait above was drawn by one of his students in 1970.) Then a spiritual rebirth brought him into a real relationship with God and drastically changed his heart, his life and his belief system. Read his story here.
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TaoismPronounced "Dowism," this Chinese philosophical and religious worldview is believed to have begun around the sixth century B.C. Taoism claims Lao-Tzu as its founder, believed to be a contemporary of Confucius. His name means either "wise old child" or "old master." Certain traditions claim Lao-Tzu was born a white-haired philosopher, after being carried seventy-two years in the womb of his mother. Some Taoist scholars admit he is only a legendary figure. However, according to the Shih-chi, he was actually a custodian of the archives in the court of the King of Chou. Disagreeable situations in this royal court motivated Lao-Tzu to resign and travel west. At the mountain pass of Hsien-ku he was constrained by Yin Hsi, the guardian of that pass, to preserve his views by putting them into writing. The result was the Tao-te Ching, a document made up of 5,000 pictograms. It is the main sacred text on which this religion is based. After transferring his beliefs to paper, Lao-Tzu disappears, walking off the pages of history. He was later deified by his followers, some even suggesting that he was a manifestation of the primordial chaos and that he had previously reincarnated numerous times in order to guide the human race with his teaching. Another famous and greatly influential leader in Taoism is Chuang-tzu (369-286 B.C.). Eva Wong, in The Shambhala Guide to Taoism, identifies five different and primary paths within Taoism: Magical Taoism (the Way of Power), Divinational Taoism (the Way of Seeing), Ceremonial Taoism (the Way of Devotion), Internal-Alchemical Taoism (the Way of Transformation), and Action and Karma Taoism (the Way of Right Action). The Tao-te Ching describes the Source of all things as being Tao (meaning "the Way"). It is "eternal, nameless." Yet whenever it is manifested, it is given "different names." (Tao-te Ching 1, 32) Any name given to a manifestation of Tao is only earthly and temporary"”"The name that can be named is not the eternal name." (Tao-te Ching 1). On the highest level, Ultimate Reality is an impersonal energy force. In Taoism, the secret to a successful life is to come into harmony with Tao. This harmonious union is called wu-wei (quiet non-striving). The superiority of this way of life is compared to water (that appears shapeless and weak) wearing away stone (that appears permanent and strong). The "parent of all teachings" is that "the violent man will come to a violent end." (Tao-te Ching 42, 78) Select the desired topic from the drop-down box |
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"In Search of the True Light" ©2002 copyright
by Mike Shreve.
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