I have been casually reading the book “The Te of Piglet” by Benjamin Hoff. I am ABSOLUTELY loving it. It is a read I recommend to others. There is a section in the book, specifically pages 13 through 23 where he is teaching what he believes Taoism to be. It is very interesting to me since I do know very little about exactly what it is. Just as the book states, there are similar teachings in other circle’s where spirituality and understanding are of high importance. He states, “On the North American continent, they are passed on in some of what remains of native teachings-those of the “Indians.” In Europe they have largely died out, but traces of their influence can still be seen in such comparatively recent phenomena as stone circles and the marking of “ley lines” (called “dragon veins” by the Chinese)-channels along which earth energy is concentrated. In Tibet, until the Communist invasion, ancient ways were preserved in Tibetan Buddhism, many of the secrets and practices of which predate Buddhism by thousands of years. In Japan, they have been passed on through Taoism. And, despite violent opposition from China’s Communist government, they continue to be passed on today.”
One last quote from the book is where he quotes Chuang-tse speaking of the Age of Perfect Virtue. “In the Age of Perfect Virtue, men lived among the animals and birds as members of one large family. There were no distinctions between “superior” and “inferior” to separate one man or species from another. All retained their natural Virtue and lived in a state of pure simplicity…
If you liked this book you have to read Hoff’s other book “the Tao of Pooh”. I prefer the Pooh book over the Piglet book.