What is Taoism?

2-27-11 Taoism & Letting Go.

Consider the main principle of Taoism:  In one, contains the other.  Lao Tsu was the keeper of the imperial archives and libraries in China in the 6th century BC.  Upon leaving his post he was persuaded to write down his teachings for posterity.  This is the Tao Te Ching - 81 chapters, 5,000 words which have provided one of the main underlying influence in China for over 2,500 years.

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want.  If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.  Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes.  Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow.  Let reality be reality.  Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.  Rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.  Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.  Kindness in words creates confidence.  Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.  Kindness in giving creates love.  Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment.  The words of truth are always paradoxical.  Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful.  Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good.  Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
- From Paulo Coehlo's Blog on Lao Tsu and Taoism, http://www.paulocoelho.com/

Class began with a breath awareness exercise.  Begin by tuning into the natural flow and rhythm of your breath.  Slowly and evenly begin inhaling for four counts, exhaling for four counts.  As you inhale feel the breath move down the body into the abdomen, and as you exhale feel the breath rise up to the throat and out the nose.  Follow this movement with your hands now.  Exhale, palms facing up lift your hands from abdomen up towards to your face.  Inhale and now palms facing down, press the hands from the eye level towards your lap.  Exhale, up.  Inhale, down.  Continue for several rounds.  3 OM's.

Simple spinal twist, Urdhva Baddhanguliyasana (upward bound hands), cross arm pose, Gomukasana arms (cow pose), table, cat/cow, Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog), Uttanasana (standing forward bend), Surya Namaskara (sun salutations) with lunge and Ashtangasana (eight pointed pose) 3x.  Lunge, Virabhadrasana II (warrior II), Trikonasana (triangle pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana, Balasana (child's pose).  Tadasana (mountain pose), Vrksasana (tree pose), Garudasana (eagle pose).  Lying on your back now, pelvic tilts, Apanasana (knees into chest pose), Setubhandasana (bridge pose) 3x, Apanasana, Anandabalasana (happy baby pose), restorative backward extension on two bolsters crossed in a "t" and two blocks for the heels to rest on - begin by pressing hands into the floor to extend through the side body and grow long (root down to rise up) and then lie back on the bolsters, slide backwards until shoulders come to floor - yogi choice here to add blankets under head to lessen the arch of the back, also you may also bend the knees to relieve any lower back pain or extend legs straight out, resting the heels on the floor or blocks.  Let go here.  Just rest and be still.  Focus on your breathing.  Be the observer and watch the breath flow in and out of your body. 

Savasana with guided relaxation, relaxing each part of the body beginning from the feet working up to the head.  Played the C Crystal Chakra Singing Bowl (Root - Mulandara - Base - Red - Basic sercurity and survival needs).   Reading repeated in the fetal pose.

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want. If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love. Respond intelligently even to unintelligent treatment. The words of truth are always paradoxical. Truthful words are not beautiful; beautiful words are not truthful. Good words are not persuasive; persuasive words are not good. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
- From Paulo Coehlo's Blog on Lao Tsu and Taoism, www.paulocoelho.com

Ending Peace Chants:  Asato Maa Sad Gamaya Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya - Lead us from unreal to Real.  Lead us from darkness to the Light.  Lead us from the fear of death to the knowledge of Immortality.  OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!  Lokaah Samastaah Sukhino Bhavantu - May the entire universe be filled with Peace and Joy, Love and Light.  Namaste.