In Taoist philosophy, the wise man is the one who ceases to ask and lives his life naturally, without trying to find explanations or reasons for his existance or for how things are. The wise man recognizes that by letting go, life naturally unfolds. When he does that, all things naturally fall into place and he achieves enlightnment through that natural experience. His mind does not cloud his perceptions anymore, and what he sees in the universe is what actually IS. So... why do we ask? Why do we think? Is it worth going through all this? Or the chinese are truly the wisest ones?
Probably for TruthSeeking. As God is said to be omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent, all may be having these properties inbuilt due to presence of GOD. So "Why Ask" can be vailid in view of omniprsence.
TruthSeeker's next queries: Why does "Why" exist? Why does "Why does Why exist?" exist? Why does "Why does "Why does Why exist?" exist?" exist? Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does Why exist?" exist?" exist?" exist? Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does Why exist?" exist?" exist?" exist?" exist? Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does "Why does Why exist?" exist?" exist?" exist?" exist?" exist? And so on and so on and so on, 'til his wearied existence completely drops off the radar screen.
I remember college philosophy. I had this great prof who was very new-agey and laid back. When we did the whole "just let it flow" thing, we were blissfully happy. When we got back to reality, we had less peace. I think if we didn't ask questions, we wouldn't grow and learn as fast. We ask because we have a (sometimes morbid) sense of curiosity--especially women. We always want details and answers to things most men just shrug off. And I think once you stop asking questions you stop growing. We *think* because that's what our minds do. They are always running (some more than others.) They are hard (but not impossible) to train. It is worth it because this is who we are. This is how we were made. This is how humans function. To deny/stop any of these activities/aspects of ourselves would be invalidating. p.s. Since this is in the Phil thread, I won't derail it with God talk. But I will say once I became born-again, everything changed--especially my thinking.
The chinese are the wisest ones. This is still hilarious though. Such a shame that you chose to unleash it on the rare (probably unparalleled) occasion when Truthseeker actually makes some kind of sense. Work on your timing.
Ya Taoism is alluring for it's simplicity. However, the die is cast, the wine was spilled and the wench is pregnant. There is no going back.
Had I worked on your timing, I doubt very much I'd be here to even consider the question of existence since I'd still be considering the questions of why a lousy job and why bother. I'm surprised you are still around over such a splatter. Must've been a real deep crises.
Children do grow and learn without asking. Still the difference can be, what we are learning. Is it natural carry forwards+observations OR also learnings aquired recently. Probably, we store and carry forward, whatever right learnings, we have inherited and aquired during lifetime which may remain dormant but can be awakened.
Nah. Happy-go-lucky, me. I think I may have Chinese ancestry. Did you mistake puzzlement for despair?
What are you talking about? I always think like what I said in this thread...! LOL! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
It all strikes me as cowardly. "His mind does not cloud his perceptions anymore" I wonder how one would get perceptions if not through the mind? Through the arse?
The mind questions what it sees. By silencing the mind, you are able to see things for what they truly are. The problem is in the communication of what you see- because you require your mind to put it into words.
one_raven, think about all the progress mankind has made. think of all the problems we have overcome. hell, think about all the problems we need to overcome. now imagine if everyone had the mindset set forth by taoism. would shit actually get done? i like the idea as a philosophy for happiness. but it seems a lazy happiness. there are other ways to be happy. maybe it is because i just don't know how i would put it into practice. (see below) truth, so if you don't think about something, it is more clear? that just doesn't seem like the way it works in reality (for me at least). its strange because taoism makes sense when i read about it. but in practice it just doesn't work for me. i have to think about things, i have to ponder. i am not at peace unless i do! do you think i would be more at peace if i stopped all philosophical inquiry? i think i would be confused and ignorant.
I understand what you are saying. Consider a different perspective, however... First you must define "progress". "Progress" implies a goal or destination - otherwise what are you progressing toward? If you are in a dark room and take a step forward, is that progress? If you are standing at the edge of a cliff and take a step forward is the progress? What is the goal? I think the goal should be... Peace. Meeting of basic needs of all humans. Honest, open communication. Health and welfare. Among other things. What do you think the goals should be? If goals are not defined (or at least ideals) then progress can not be defined. Think of all the problems we have created. I honestly think our "progress" has created more problems and suffering than it has overcome. The vast majority of man's woes are manmade. Most of which we have created (or at least exascerbated). What has to get done? It seems lazy only because you can't see "progress" being made. Maybe so. The whole, simplistic point of taosim is balance. I have a question. When were you happiest, most secure and most free in your life? Was it during your childhood when you didn't have to worry about what adults worried about?
Raven, You list some good ones. But for primary goals I see others such as: an understanding of the universe and our place in it, exploration, life extension and enhancement, enabling individual creative expression, etc. You see my goals seem to fly in the face of what we are talking about. First one that came to mind is the VERY THING that taoism says we shouldn't worry about! Thus the reason I questioned whether we would progress at all. I agree with your goals, they are just more secondary than primary. This may explain why some people are a natural fit for taoism while others are not. You seem to have a pessimistic outlook on what mankind has done and where we are going. This is the popular view in my experience. But look at your goals and think of where we were a century ago. Think of where we were a millennium ago. We HAVE made a tremendous amount of progress! Yet, there is more to go. Alot more. In all honesty, probably most free was childhood. I do miss that. Maybe we can get to the point where we can all be free like that as adults. Happiest and secure? I actually think the last 4 years of my life as a father have been my happiest and most secure. My teenage days would have been the lowpoint in all those areas probably. I think it again it has to do with your perspective in life. For me, I wasn't secure until I felt I had a solid understanding of things, philosophically. I don't remember ever feeling truly secure (and thus relaxed, happy) as a child. I could see how someone else is different. I had a good childhood, but I would take my current state. For me its something like this - knowledge + inquiry + creativity + community (family) = happiness. My childhood was missing the knowledge component.
