Taoism (or Daoism)

Taoism is an outlook on life that attempts to harmonize the individual will with natural and spiritual influences. Personal thoughts and actions alternately coincide or conflict with the Tao, which signifies the flow of the universe, or in some commentaries, … Continue reading →

What is a Saint?

Embed from Getty Images The word saint (Latin sanctus = sacred or having been made sacred)  has several meanings. In everyday usage, saints are unusually kind, ethical people who perform good works on a local or grand scale which almost … Continue reading →

Evil: Natural, Moral and Intrinsic

How we define evil is influenced by our core beliefs. Materialists and some scientists dismiss the idea of evil as if it were culturally inherited from a world once peopled by believers in magic and outdated superstitions. Today, violent criminals … Continue reading →

Rakshakas – Hindu and Buddhist demons

Embed from Getty Images Ogoh ogoh, demon procession during Balinese New Year’s Eve in Ubud. In Hinduism, Rakshakas (or Rakshasas) are demons appearing in the Puranas (sacred scripture laden with mythic stories) that are capable of shape shifting. Females are … Continue reading →

Sin

In early religion, Sin was a Mesopotamian moon god, also called Nanna. His cult was most prominent at the Sumerian cities of Ur and Harran. Bestowing light in the dark, Sin maintained justice through the night hours. In Catholic theology … Continue reading →

Tao-te-Ching

The Tao-te-Ching is a Taoist text also called the Lao Tzu. Related Posts » I Ching, Taoism, Tao  

Tao

Tao (the way or path) is a concept central to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Taoism. Taoism is an outlook on life that attempts to harmonize the individual will with natural and spiritual influences. Personal thoughts and actions alternately coincide … Continue reading →

Tai Chi

Tai Chi (Chinese: “ridge beam”) is an ancient Taoist concept denoting the ultimate and supreme, consisting of yin and yang. In their dynamic combination, yin an yang create the five elements of metal, water, wood, fire and earth, which constitute … Continue reading →

Alan Watts

No one really knows just who the British-born Alan Watts (1915-1973) really was. Scholar, writer, Tantric yogi, ex-Catholic synthesizer of Eastern and Western beliefs—all would apply. He had such a powerful presence when I was an undergraduate student that he … Continue reading →

Wu Wei

Wu Wei is an early Taoist term meaning non-action or effortless action. It is often misunderstood as being still, physically. But the idea is more about the belief that we’re in sync with the Tao by intuitively grasping when and … Continue reading →