BEING IN HARMONY: TAOISM & HINDUISM

The first time I learned about the Tao was when I read the "Tao Te Ching", written by Lao Tzu, which has been translated into English, and literally means "Way of Power." Later on I was re-introduced to the Tao when I took a couple of Qigong classes from Master Chunyi Lin, one of America's greatest Qigong masters. In Qigong they speak of the Universe. The Universe is part of nature's way, one of the major concepts of Taoism. In Taoism being in tune with nature is very important in achieving harmony in life.

In Hinduism being in tune with nature is also very important in achieving harmony in life. "The Vedas" is an great collection of spiritual texts. In the "Yajur" and "Atharva Veda," the ecosystem is described in full detail. We even worship Mother Earth (Bhumi) and ask her permission through a puja to build a structure or building on the earth. In Findhorn, Scotland an ecovillage was created in which the residents grew fantastic sized crops in communication with the nature spirits who carried out the work of creation. When you are in harmony with Mother Earth, you can accomplish miracles. In Findhorn the soil was sandy, yet it yielded such great sized crops.

Taoism is pantheistic, like Hinduism. In Hinduism we say that, "God is in everything and everyone." That is pantheism in a nutshell. Taoism agrees with this statement. In Hinduism we say, "Namaste," which means, "I see the divinity in you." Not all traditions honor this divinity within. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God in within you." That really is the same thing. You have to find that divinity within yourself.

Taoists have an emphasis on pursuing "wu wei," a lifestyle which is quiet, non-aggressive, full of meditation, dietary moderation and mental control. In Hinduism we have "ahimsa," first do no harm, and an emphasis on the use of non-violence. We also use meditation as a way to control the mind. Mantra meditation is a popular form of meditation which focuses the mind, so it does not wander aimlessly on many thoughts. In the "Gita," Krishna says, "A yogi should not eat to little food, nor eat too much food." This shows we advocate dietary moderation. The use of meditation and chant are commonly used in Qigong. Chanting opens many energy channels in the body. Master Lin advocates the use of chant and meditation in order to be an effective Qigong healer and practitioner. He says it is more powerful than even the Qigong exercises themselves.

In Taoism there is a philosophy of oneness in creation. All parts of creation are one. There is a unity in all things. Hindus also believe in this oneness of all creation. Theosophists also believe in the oneness of all things in creation. It's the First Proposition of the "Secret Doctrine" written by H.P. Blavatsky.

The concept of Yin and Yang is from Taoism. In Hinduism we do not have an equivalent to such a concept. Yin is the female principle and Yang is the male principle in the Universe. Taoists believe that aspects of one is complementary in the other. They may appear to be opposites. Yet, in reality, they are just part of the great oneness of creation. In one aspect there is found a "seed of the opposite." Yang and Yin are not opposing each other in a sense of competition. They are part of the whole balance in nature and in the Universe. In Hinduism we have the Mother Power, which the energy of the Universe. She is the power behind the Father, or male, Power.

Taoism is a Chinese philosophy which is found in other schools of Chinese thought. You can be a Buddhist, follower of Confucius and a Taoist all at the same time. There is no contradiction in all these schools of philosophy. I also think it is possible to be a Hindu and be a Taoist at the same time. There are many similarities between the two traditions. I am a Qigong practitioner myself and I am also a Hindu or Vedic philosopher.

Qigong borrows its ideas from Hindu yoga and the Chinese energy exercises based on Taoism. Master Lin also mentions that Qigong combines the breathing exercises, which Buddhist priests and monks learned in India from the Hindu tradition, with the Chinese healing exercises. This shows how these traditions combined ideas and practices and became something new and even better in their combined form. Qigong is a form of yoga from China which eventually came to the West via masters from all these traditions. Taoist thought is very much a part of Qigong. We even mention the Universe when invoking the password of healing in Spring Forest Qigong.

What I think is interesting is that Jesus even mentioned "The Way." He said he was, "the Way, the truth and life." Early followers called themselves followers of "The Way" rather than calling themselves Christians. That came later. The Tao is called "The Way." It is a life style and philosophy which has influenced many people world wide even Hindus.

JAI SHRI THE TAO! JAI SHRI HINDUISM! JAI SHRI THE WAY!

Radhapriestess