Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu is recognized as the founder of Taoism and author of Tao Te Ching. He was born around 604 B.C.E. and his name means “the Old Boy,” “the Old Fellow,” and, “the Grand Old Master.”
Tao
There are three levels of meaning to Tao.
1. The way of ultimate reality: The way of ultimate reality is the understanding that Tao is beyond words or human comprehension. Tao is the ultimate source of all life, and all life returns to Tao.
2. The way of the universe: The way of the universe is the understanding that Tao is the motivating power behind all life, nature, and the universe. It lives on for eternity, while the temporary forms of nature it takes die. It is a never-ending abundance.
3. The way of human life: The way of human life is the understanding of how humans can best live according to Tao, or be one with Tao.
1. The way of ultimate reality: The way of ultimate reality is the understanding that Tao is beyond words or human comprehension. Tao is the ultimate source of all life, and all life returns to Tao.
2. The way of the universe: The way of the universe is the understanding that Tao is the motivating power behind all life, nature, and the universe. It lives on for eternity, while the temporary forms of nature it takes die. It is a never-ending abundance.
3. The way of human life: The way of human life is the understanding of how humans can best live according to Tao, or be one with Tao.
Te
Te is the power within people that is in balance with the Tao.
Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching is a 5,000 character book of Lao Tzu’s teachings that he supposedly wrote down in three days. Modern scholars believe it was compiled by multiple people sometime after 350 BCE
Philosophical Taoism
Philosophical Taoism is one of the three schools of Taoist thought. It focuses on wu wei, and how to most efficiently spend one’s allotment of Tao and not waste it on conflict.
Wu wei
Wu wei translates into “inaction,” meaning “pure effectiveness.” When a person practices wu wei, they accomplish more because they are releasing the ego and allowing themselves to be carried forth by Tao. They are getting out of their own way.
Religious Taoism
Religious Taoism, or Popular Taoism, was the school of Taoism that became a church. Chinese folk religion heavily influenced it, so shamanic activities and magic are involved, calling upon supernatural forces to serve the people. This was the most accessible school for the Chinese masses.
Third school of Taoism
The third school of Taoism is too eclectic to carry just one name. It is focuses on how to increase the amount of Tao one has to use, by dislodging ch’i in the body.
Ch’i
Ch’i means “vital energy.” It is the life force that flows through the body and can become dislodged. Followers of the third school of Taoism seek to cultivate the flow of ch’i to live longer.
T’ai chi chuan
T’ai chi chuan is a practice of the third school of Taoism that encompasses martial art, dance, meditation, the concept of yin/yang, and calisthenics to increase flow of ch'i.
Taoist yoga
Taoist yoga is a meditation style of the third school of Taoism, largely inspired by Hinduism's raja yoga. It consists of breathing gently and clearing the mind to build up Tao within and radiate it to the rest of the community.
Yin/yang symbol
The yin/yang symbol is a circle of two polarized forces, one white and one black with a small dot of the other color, encircled by a band. The two sides represent dualities, such as light/dark and active/passive, and they balance each other. The band symbolizes their wholeness, and the small dots represent how in that wholeness, the two opposing sides go through a cycle in which eventually, they become one another.