An ancient system of belief and thought developed in China several thousand years ago, Taoism is older than Confucius and Shakyamuni Buddha.  Having its cultural and philosophical roots in China, the precepts of Taoism often cross over lines of Confucianism, Buddhism (particularly Zen), and other eastern philosophical and spiritual thought systems

The Tao is translated as "the Way".

The Tao te Ching (Book of Tao) contains eighty-one chapters which are part of the canon scriptures of Taoism.  Some, more esoteric than others, are only a little harder to understand.  Each, with meaning across many levels and depths of understanding, provide lifetimes of contemplation for the devotee and philosopher.

Mencius, a student of Confucious

Number 11

"Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub.

It is the center hole that makes it useful.

Cut doors and windows for a room.

It is the doors and windows that make it useful.

Shape clay into a vessel.

It is the space within that makes it useful.

Therefore:

Profit comes from what is there.

Usefulness from what is not there."

Taoism is more than an intellectual pursuit, more than a spiritual pursuit, more than a philosophical pursuit.  It's what it is.  The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.

There are eighty other verses.  Taoism gives us so much to use in meditations and  contemplations.  

Meditation helps reduce stress levels.  Reducing stress in one's life promotes health.   Therefore, meditation promotes health and well-being.  With practice, one can meditate without a single thought rising during practice.  This is called "calm abiding" in the Tibetan Buddhist system of practice.

We carry an interpretation of the Tao Te Ching in our store in Burien that retails for $9.95 that is signed by the author, Jeff Rasmussen.  If you're interested in obtaining a copy, send us an e-mail.

More about Taoism can be found at: http://www.symynet.com/tao_te_ching/health.htm

Be sure to visit Images of Taoism, too.

Good meditations, good health, and many blessings!

From Chuang-tzu:

"Once on a journey, Tzu-ch'i saw a huge tree with strange knots big enough to shelter a thousand chariots in their shade.  Tzu-ch'i said, "What kind of tree is this?  It must have unusual potential.

Looking up at its branches, he saw they were too crooked to be used as beams.  Looking down at it's roots, he saw they were not solid enough to be used for coffins.  When he tasted the leaves, his mouth became inflamed; and they had a smell that would madden a person form days.

Tzu-ch'i said, "This, in fact, is a useless tree.  That's how it got to be this big."