Lao Tse Tung – Chinese Philosopher – Founder of Daoism. Not Western, But Relevant!

A common theme in Daoism is the “Way of Acceptance” or the constant rhythm of changes. These concepts can perhaps best be illustrated in an academic exercise.

In a debate it is common to have two people or teams of people argue opposite sides of a philosophical point. When the teams are assembled they are often advised by their instructor that if they want to get the most out of the exercise, they should deliberately choose the side that is opposite to their personal conviction. Interestingly, as the two sides research in order to prepare for their debate something very interesting comes to light. It becomes immediately apparent that it is entirely possible to defend what had previously been considered to be the opposite of their heartfelt conviction.

The acceptance and reduction to the level of paradox of what had previously been taken for granted as being completely unacceptable is no small realization!

Nothing could better express the dynamic relationship between opposites than in the Oriental symbol of the Yin Yang. The plus position contains, at its core, the negative and vice versa. Were this not so, successfully arguing the opposite would be impossible. Because this is a universal principle it can be expressed in infinite ways. For example, in technical terms it is impossible to separate electricity from its magnetic field and conversely it is impossible to separate a magnetic field from its electricity – Opposites in harmony in the presence of the other yet completely related to each other – a perfect marriage of active and passive principles –
Male and Female.

This is not to say that a person should accept what they consider immoral as being good and acceptable but, the possibility of putting yourself into someone else’s shoes and understanding why they do what they do is valuable.

The other concept that comes through and is very well explained in the work of Jakob Lorber and strongly implied in the Bible is the all inclusiveness of the Deity. The significance of the Biblical statement that “God is the All in All” is often overlooked. One interpretation of this statement is that all possible possibilities exist within one and the same God in complete harmony. As no disharmony is possible within God, in absolute terms, there can be no disharmony in His creation; even though it may appear to be so to the unenlightened who, while in that state are having to sort out the disharmony within themselves. This internal disharmony, in the West, is called the state of Sin. Balancing and harmonizing this internal state of turmoil is called the forgiveness of Sin.

The IChing presents an exhaustive and complete examination of the principle of Polarity that does not need to be repeated in other works. As we read the work of Franz Bardon, he tells us that it was he who had incarnated as Lao Tse as a prophet to the people of the East and presented them with the IChing for their spiritual development according to their temperament. In his present day works he punctuates the points made in the IChing as fact without actually referring to it. He states that Good and Evil exist and are active but, philosophically, are nothing more than religious concepts.

Daoism and it’s harmonizing of the apparent paradox between plus and minus teaches this fundamental lesson of acceptance of what is essentially the first and most fundamental emanation out of the Godhead – Polarity. And, that it is essential to make your peace with and see the usefulness in the ever present pair of opposites as they shift from one to the other.

Below are a few editions of the The Tao Te Ching. To better understand the point of the work Lao Tse it is best to read the originally inspired work itself before examing what or how others have interpreted or implemented it. As this work lends itself to infinite interpretations and applications there are many other authors that have written about it. You can proceed from this page into Amazon from the links below to seek out what you will with regard to the works related to Lao Tse.