Daoism and Its Details

¶ … Nature of Daoism The principles of yang and yin pertain to universal conceptions of balance that are found in nature. Specifically, these principles denote that for every force, emotion, or manifestation within the universe, there is also an opposite force, emotion or manifestation. In fact, this concept indicates that these forces of opposition are not only desirable but also necessary within the universe because they maintain a sort of balance that is a requisite for existence itself (Li, 2014, p. 321).

These principles are best understood in terms of light and darkness, which signifies the relationship between good and evil. Most importantly, however these tenets indicate that each of these opposite forces actually need one another to exist. For instance, there is no light without a darkness upon which the light can impede. There are numerous challenges that Daoism faces in the modern world. In many ways, the modern world is predicated upon material existence.

Materials items are required for material existence, and to get those material items individuals frequently must exist and labor in a way that is contrary to the Daoist principles of the way. The way is about simplicity and reducing complexity in one's life, while fostering attunement with some of the fundamental principles of the universe. The way is central to living (Coleman, 2002, p. 385).

The modern world, with its preoccupation with technology, ephemeralness, and materiality, makes it difficult to live such a simple existence -- when one must seemingly exist the opposite simply to eat, dress, and maintain permanent shelter in it. In many ways, the Tao Te Ching is Daoism's equivalent to the Bible in that it is the fundamental text that outlines many of the concepts that the former religion is based upon -- much in the same way that the Bible provides that purpose for religion.

Thus, the importance of this text for tradition partly relates to the fact that it provides a chronicle of some of the most valued religious and philosophical concepts associated with this document. Furthermore, this book is one of the way that Daoism was able to exert its influence over other Eastern religions such as Confucianism and certain facets of Buddhism. This book is alleged to have been written by Lao Tzu (Roberts, 2012, p. 942) during the 6th century, B.C.

A situation in which the Daoist principle of wu wei might be beneficial involves a custody dispute over a child who is of age where she can have sway over which parent she lives with. However, in this situation she might not know which parent to choose, and decide to practice wu wei (action through non-action) (Fraser, 2007, p. 97) as a means of resolving this situation. Thus, she could sit in court and hear the various reasons as to why one parent is more suited to keep her than the other.

Therefore, she could objectively live with the parent that the court decided is more beneficial to her. Wu wei can be harmful in a situation in which there are temporal constraints regarding action. If a boat is sinking, a passenger requires assertive action, not the passivity associate with this Daoist concept. One of the best examples of how Daoist ideals are expressed through art is in this.