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A Brief History of the Tao
(taken from The Tao of Teaching)
Almost
twenty-five hundred years ago, during the Golden Age of ancient
China, a Wise sage named Lao-Tzu is thought
to have taught in the royal courts. He was a Chinese scholar
from the Court of Chou during the sixth century B.C. Many
stories about Lao-tzu agree that he was fed up with the spoiled
feudal
princes he was supposed to inspire. They were more
interested in sport and eating and drinking than in listening
to words
of wisdom. He rode off on a buffalo into regions beyond
the empire's borders. At the frontier, the pass keeper
urged him to leave a record of his wisdom before
he traveled on into the mountains.
And so, brushing his way
through five thousand Chinese characters, Lao-Tzu is said
to have written the original eighty-one chapters of the Tao
Te
Ching. He
left behind an instruction manual for individuals to learn
how to be happy and wise. Because of the book's close association
to this one individual, the book is often simply called the
Lao Tzu, although most modem scholars say that the chapters
are really collections of writings and sayings by various
people over time, rather than the works of any one person.
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Before Lao-Tzu and Confucius
Lao-Tzu and
Confucius were but two of hundreds of wandering sages and
wise men who instructed feudal princes and dukes. Before
their time were the so-called yin and yang philosophers,
whose work, based on the I-Ching (Book of Change), influenced
the
philosophies of both great teachers, who ended up being
the figureheads of
Taoism and Confucianism. In both, yin (earth) and yang
(heaven) represent the intercourse of the fiery golden dragon
and the
shining silver dragon, the ancient concept of interplay of
dark and light, ever-changing like cloud formations: All
things carry
yin and hold to yang; their blended influence brings harmony.
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Confucian vs. Taoist Philosophies
The Confucian and Taoist philosophies diverge on many issues
beyond yin and yang. The Confucianist believes in the
worldly affairs of a happy citizenry in an orderly, paternalistic
system, whereas the Taoist sage believes that understanding
develops
from instinct and that one must respect lofty virtue,
deep
sincerity, a love of stillness, devotion to a worthy
teacher, and wide learning.
Taoism flourished in historical eras of poetry, painting,
dancing, music, and it promotes those outlets in individuals.
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Recommended Reading
Ginott, Haim G. (1969). Between Parent and Teenager.
New York: Avon Books.
This classic has wonderful vignettes that can help
you to think of positive, nonaggressive ways to speak in
a great variety of situations.
Goldberg, Natalie (1986). Writing Down the Bones.
Boston: Shambhala.
You may be surprised at this one. It isn't about parenting;
it is a very readable book about writing for you to enjoy.
Yes,
you. It is good not to pay constant close attention to
your parenting, and it is wise to reflect and explore your
own
creativity. Grow
in attentiveness to detail. Have a good read, and jot down
a few things about your family.
Keirsey, Ken, and Marilyn Bates (1984). Please Understand
Me.
Del Mar, CA: Gnosology.
Human interactions are affected by the
personality styles of the individuals involved. Learn about
your own preferences and tendencies as you attempt to understand
others.
McGinnis, Alan Loy (1985). Bringing Out the Best in People.
Minneapolis: Augsburg.
Leading a family is not exactly like leading a corporation.
At many times it is more difficult. This book will help
you to take some time out to think.
Peck, M. Scott (1978). The Road Less Traveled.
New York: Simon and Schuster.
Expanding the capacity to love extends the capacity
to grow.
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