REFLECTIONS ON DAOISM

Imagine a philosophy with the central tenet of the importance of doing nothing. It sounds very different to most belief systems. Capitalism requires economic activity; Socialism strives for greater egalitarianism; and Islam has the Five Pillars. With Daoism, the concept of Wu Wei (“effortless doing”) is integral. Or as Daoist philosopher, Lao Tsu, put it: “If nothing is done, then all will be well”.

Daoism remains little understood in the West. There is not even agreement as to what it should be called and is referred to both as Taoism and Daoism, deriving from different translations. The word Dao is difficult to define but perhaps most suitably might be termed “the way”. For some people, it is a religion, for others a philosophy. Personally, I am interested in its philosophical aspect, which pre-dates the religious system by four hundred years. Daoism transcends morality. It does not advocate being good (and certainly not being bad!) just being – and the harmony this creates will bring forth good for everybody. In this way, it is closely associated with the natural world.

I personally like the way Daoism dismisses the idea of any all-encompassing answer to everything. Hence Lao Tsu’s wonderful line: “The Dao that can be told is not the eternal Dao”.