| TAOISM |
| Describing the Unspoken Way: One of the most basic teachings of Taoism is that "the Tao that can be talked about is not the Eternal Way." I have always understood this to mean that the philosophy of Taoism is not something that can be explained in the same manner as Western philosophical thought. It is not explained with the same precision as metaphysics, utilitarianism or existentialism. One learns about Taoism by viewing it from a different perspective and in a different mind-set than the Western world traditionally does. The following is the best way that I can relay this concept. The Way must be unspoken. In cannot and must not be described in detail. If you lead, lead by example and deed, not words and statements. The Way cannot be limited by one, or even a few, specific lines of text. The Way is flexible and malleable. The Way bends and curves to the world in the manner that a stream moves around stones and does not seek to push them forcefully. To define and state what the Way is unnaturally limits the Way. Such definitions and limitations inherently distance the Way from other aspects that are also a part of the Way. The Eternal Way does not actually become separated from these aspects. However, a person's understanding/feeling of the Way could be too limited if the Eternal Way is explained in such a manner that it does not include all appropriate aspects. Therefore, one of the most appropriate means for conveying the idea of the Eternal Way to others is through vague and amorphous concepts and phrases. By using such things as metaphors (but not limiting oneself to just metaphors) a person can achieve a better feel for the Way. Even in describing the achievement of understanding, one must be careful not to employ language that will limit the idea of the Way. The Eternal Way is an entire river. The Way is an unhewn log. There are many currents that makeup a river and to select only one of them and call it the whole river is to imperfectly describe the river. An unhewn log possesses many possible creations and uses. To say that one particular carving or one particular use encompasses every aspect of the log is to unjustifiably limit the concept of the log to a few limited things. A good means of understanding the Eternal Way is to accept that a person may not fully grasp it; that the Way is not something that ever rreally can be: [enclosed in a box, defined in a dictionary, explained fully]. To accept that is to accept that the Way encompasses many things, not all of which you may see before you. Just become familiar and comfortable with that portion of the Way that you have experienced. What you are familiar and comfortable with is part of the Way; it is not the whole Way. One does not "explain" the Way as much as one "has a feel" for it. Even that description might be too limiting. But I think I "have a feel" for the Way in a similar sense that I feel comfortable in nature, or when I'm in love. It's one of those things that you can't and shouldn't limit by a definition, just know that you are a part of it. Go ahead and relay to others your experiences and feelings about what has happened, but don't limit the Way just to what you have experienced and felt. There are other people and things in this world who experience and feel the Way. What they experience and feel may be different from that which you do. Therefore, know that the Way encompasses more than any one or collection of people and things. The Eternal Way encompasses more than the sum of its parts. main philosphy page |