Yuma Month: Day 4: Reflection

“Because you and I have the same face.”

An angry Taoist trying to get some knowledge to people.

When I tell people of Taoism it normally doesn't go well. Half think I'm a hippie prick and the other half mock it, mostly unknowingly. I'm here to tell you a few things about Taoist ways I suppose, because I don't trust the internet for obvious reasons. I suppose some Taoist may disagree with some opinions here, but as they are Taoist, I will remind them to be kind in their disagreements, and remember everyone has a right to their own opinion. 1. If you try to tell me "Taoism isn't really real, the book says Tao is formless" I will personally shove my foot so far up your anus you taste my feet. A joke, but seriously. I don't want to hear about how because Tao is formless this whole things a paradox and none of it is real. Do you even hear how moronic that sounds? 2. No. Chakra isn't Taoist. That's Hinduism. 3. No. It doesn't come from India. It's origin is in china. 4. No. The Tao Te Ching is not a bible. Nor is it strictly enforced. It's simply a guideline many Taoist choose to follow, as it tells of how to become truly enlightened in the eyes of Lao Tzu. 5. Yes, gays are accepted. And transgender people. We don't give a shit who follows the Tao, as long as they remain humble enough to pass in the eyes of the Tao itself. 6. Yes, my foul mouth is accepted, as far as I know, there is no chapter in the Tao Te Ching against being aggressively humble. 7. Yes, the Yin Yang is one of the most common symbols of Taoism. Admittedly, I'm not entirely sure if it originated with Taoism, but today it is widely known to be a mostly Taoist symbol. 8. No, the Yin Yang isn't good vs. evil. Well, at least not normally; but I suppose it can be accepted as such, yet that isn't really its normal interpretation within Taoism. The Yin Yang means a great number of things, my favorite being nature vs. mankind. Another may be tied into the flow of water, the rapids of a river vs. the trickle of a stream. Wu Wei, you feel me? 9. Yes, if you punch me, I will punch you the fuck back. "Hey, you're supposed to accept shit as it is and not change it!" I'm sorry but nowhere in the Tao Te Ching does it say 'be a little bitch and take all the shit people throw at you.' I will defend myself, just not with weapons. "Weapons, however beautiful, are instruments of destruction." (Chapter 31, because the Tao Te Ching isn't in English, you may find many ways this sentence is phrased. It all means the same thing.) This is one of the reasons so many forms of martial art exist around the world, because a lot of religions didn't want people fucking shooting each other (will kill you). They'd rather a swift punch to the nut sack (won't kill you). 10. Yes, I can have opinions, and yes I can protest. To be humble doesn't mean sit back and take all the bullshit in this world, hell, Lao Tzu didn't. He saw that most people in is world were complete ass wipes and said "you know what? I'm tired of this shit. Maybe if I make a book explaining my beliefs and why you shouldn't be a horrible to each other, this world will calm down a little." And hey, it sorta worked, as Taoism is one of the worlds biggest religions. Protesting doesn't need to be violent, it just needs to get a point across. In some cases, that's writing a book, other cases, it's marching with a sign that says "this is bullshit and here's why;" 11. No, it's not pronounced "tao". It's "dao". it's not English, so shut up your fuck and just say it right. 12. One of the main lessons of the Tao Te Ching is that to be humble, you must eliminate all boasting and pride from your personality. I admit, it was actually very hard. To be prideful is human nature, and I feel good to say my pride no longer dictates my decisions. But just know when I see you boasting, gloating, or just being egotistical, I am judging you VERY aggressively. 13. No, Tao isn't our god. Tao isn't really a being. It is formless yet it is in our everyday lives. Tao, in truth, has no name, but humans have a strong need to associate everything with a name, and Lao Tzu felt Tao would be the most fitting. 14. Yes, if you feel Taoism would fill that little hole in your heart, pursue the Taoist agenda. But don't say it would be nice just to appease me, or because a 'friend is following it',I can tell the difference between "my friend follows this so it must be good" and "wow this actually seems to make sense, I'd like to apply this to my life." Religion isn't a goddamn product, it's not like when you go to a restaurant and see a dish your friend recommended and say "well they liked it so maybe I will." Religion is a commitment. Not saying you can't think, "you know what? I don't think this fits me as a person, and I'd no longer like to pursue this." That's completely ok. Religion isn't for everyone. Or Taoism. But don't start following it like some kind of goddamn fashion trend. I will find you and stuff a copy of the old testament, the new testament, the Tao Te Ching, The art of war, and every single book written by Confucius and his disciples down your throat. Not really. But seriously, be respectful when it comes to religion, don't act like is a pack of trading cards. 15. It's ok to ask questions, I would love for you to ask actually. I'd rather you hear the opinions and facts from an actual Taoist rather than it be like a kid hearing about sex from someone's older brother, and then they believe the vagina is on the lower back till they're 21 or some shit. I'd love to give you my interpretations of Taoism itself, as the whole thing is very "in the eyes of the beholder, but a guideline and a lot of shared opinions." 16. Yes, we do have a church of sorts, Taoist temples are a thing. If you're trying to convert into Taoism and don't know of any temples in your area, fret not! Taoism isn't like other religions in the sense that you have to go to church every Sunday or something, however, making a trip to a Taoist temple is highly encouraged. It's an excellent way to reset and relax. Maybe even have more questions about the religion answered as there are Taoist masters that congregate in almost every temple, as I, or other Taoists, won't have every answer. If a temple is much to far from your location to travel to, that's just fine. It doesn't make you any less faithful! 17. Seriously, if anyone, newly converted Taoist or not, has any questions, my chat box is always open. I feel it's a religion a lot of people know very little about, and I'd be happy to help anyone in understanding it better, even if it is slight. Just don't ask asshole questions, like in point #1. I've had someone ask me how Taoism was real if the Tao isn't real, because I let them read a single chapter from my copy of the Tao Te Ching, and apparently that's the message he got. Its a question meant to mock Taoism, whether you know it or not, and I do in fact take it offensively. I won't go off on you, but again, very aggressive judging will take place. 18. The Chinese character for Tao is 道. Typically to get it to show up on a computer/phone keyboard, you've gotta type "dao". Annoying, but it's only that, annoying.