Cottleston Pie and The Pooh Way -
“Tao doesn't force or interfere with things, but lets them work in their own way, to produce results naturally. Then whatever needs to be done is done.”(p.70)
Overthinking results in nothing but further complication in a situation, but it’s usually difficult to differentiate it from efficient and productive processes, while these two chapters conveniently provided a distinctive difference between the two: you are overthinking when you start to meddle with the very nature of things. Any deviation from said nature would only prove to be counterproductive.
A part of an art project I worked on involved perfection, and I needed to find something that actually is perfect. At first I tried to define it, my plan
…show more content…
The self-centered, narcissistic mindset is demonstrated in the belief that not only does the world need fixing, but it’s also the responsibility of human beings. The assumption that something isn’t perfect and only we can help is a textbook example of the manifestation of a hero complex, by creating(or in this case, identifying a non-existing one) a desperate situation and attempting to solve it. Since the basis of such “crisis” is shaky at best, avoiding(letting nature run its course) instead of addressing it would prevent unnecessary effort towards an unworthy …show more content…
Confucianist ideology suggest imperfections in the world, leading to an understandable perception of inadequacy, as they strive for perfection. By examining the aforementioned connection to hero complex with which confucianists seek to highlight their own importance, and the (exaggerated) focus on formality with which they attempt to bring “order” to things, it’s reasonable to conclude that these efforts are made to mask their sense of inferiority. Thusly what Taoism suggests is merely a healthier mindset, rather than criticism, that by realizing everything is already in its proper place, causing more trouble is simply unnecessary effort to no productive end.
Similarities also reside between Taoism and (the act of accepting)determinism, for if our reality is exactly how things can and are supposed to be, imperfection itself wouldn’t exist because there are simply no alternatives. Therefore invalidates the idea of inadequacy of one’s existence, and along with it the need to fix thing, resulting in enjoying life being the only sound decision.
*the analysis is purely theoretical and is based on only what I have read. I have no intention to undermine Confucianism
The first main principle of Taoism that is presented in this novel is the idea that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, power that is easily contaminated and lost when that simplicity is altered. This principle is also known as the Uncarved Block. Winnie-the-Pooh is very significant in this principle of the Uncarved Block, because he illustrates the perfect example of an individual that follows this principle. Pooh always exists in his "natural state", he is...
Taoism is an ancient Chinese religion, a religion of peace focused on universal balance. The religion itself, though generally surviving today, was almost entirely wiped out in ancient times. Taoism’s primary symbol is still visible on the global market in modern times, though it tends to carry somewhat different meanings then it necessarily did previously. An incredibly life-structure oriented religion, it has permeated through society and is more easily understood through analysis of Taoism’s historical origins and leaders, its types and beliefs, ethics, and the modern influences of Taoism on society.
Over the course of history, individuals have questioned the universe in which we live in and searched for a purpose of our existence. The belief in a higher presence, other than our own, has existed since man can remember. From this belief, religion was established and can survive and flourish. Buddhism and Taoism are two great religious and philosophical traditions in Chinese history. For hundreds of years, these two have shaped Chinese lifestyle and thought. Readings from the Tao Te Ching, Buddhists scriptures, and Herman Hesse’s Siddharta explain the various aspects of Buddhism and Taoism, but in the end there is only one common belief, and that is the existence of a Supreme Being.
Lao Tzu believed that Tao is a natural thing. He believes that you come by it or you realize its presents and experience it. The best way for me to explain how Lao Tzu perceives the Tao is to take it directly from our reading in Molloy, “The Doa cannot be named because it has no form. But the Dao can be experienced and followed by every individual thing that has a name (213).” Lao Tzu used Tao as a way of being and living in harmony with nature. Lao Tzu believed that Tao came to you by using his teaching of Wu Wei, Simplicity, Gentleness and Relativity (217-218).
Some of the core beliefs of Taoism are that the way to happiness is for people to learn to go with the flow of life. Ying is the moon in other words death and Yang means sun which is birth, they both have to be balanced if not tragedy will occur. Lao also belief in that one should make their own decisions.
Confucianism is a philosophy and way of life formed in China by Confucius, an early Chinese philosopher. It began as a simple concept with ideals of personal virtue, simple filial piety, and basic gender distinctions and social inequalities. But, over time with the emergence of Neo-Confucianism it began to transform into a way of life that was degrading towards women with certain hostilities towards rivaling religions. In its early period, from around 500 B.C.E to the Common Era, Confucianism changed in that it became the leading belief system and a major part of Chinese tradition. From the transition into the Common Era to the end of the Classical time period, Confucianism was altered because of a loss of popularity following the collapse of the Han dynasty and the corruption in the governing political system. In its ending period, the post-classical era, Confucianism underwent perhaps its biggest adjustments with the emergence of Neo-Confucianism. The ideas and virtues presented in the “rebirth of Confucian philosophies” of intolerance of foreign religions and extreme filial piety...
Perfect: adj. ˈpər-fikt 1. Entirely without any flaws, defects, or shortcomings, is the first definition you find on dictionary.com for the word (perfect). Is this actually possible to attain? Has anyone actually ever been perfect? Or is it all in the eye of the beholder? These questions are asked by almost every girl, as we dream to one day reach the unattainable. This is especially true at the tender age of fifteen, where nothing seems to be going right with our bodies and everything is changing in us. This poem stresses the fact that as everyone realizes how unrealistic this dream is, the knowledge makes no difference to the wish. Marisa de los Santos comments on this in her poem “Perfect Dress”. The use of verbose imagery, metaphors, and the simplistic approach are very effective in portraying the awkward adolescent stage of a young woman and the unrealistic dream of being perfect.
Religion is an interesting aspect in the Chinese context because of the part it played in history. Christianity did not spread as successfully in the East as it did in Europe and the isolated thoughts of the Chinese at the time. The fundamentals of Confucianism include and encourage humanities pursuit of knowledge and understanding of their self and...
Kaltenmark, Max. Lao Tzu and Taoism. Translated by Roger Greaves. Stanford: Stanford University Press. 1969.
Lao Tzu taught that straining and striving are not only useless but also counterproductive. One should venture to do nothing in the sense of discerning and following the natural forces; to follow and shape the natural flow of events. All this is known as the Taois...
Even though Taoism and many other folk religions have shaped the Chinese mind, Confucianism remains, by any historical measure, its chief mentor” (Novak 113). Therefore, since the two religions grew up together, there are similarities, such as their views on humans, attempting to find harmony in life and in nature, and serve as guides for their followers through self-cultivation and improvement techniques. Confucianism believes that their congregation should have human conduct over the idea of God in their lives, whereas Taoism is formed on the belief that its congregation should create a relationship with nature. This is pointed out by Smith in Experiencing the World’s Religions, “Confucius represents the classical, Lao Tzu the romantic; Confucius stresses social responsibility, Lao Tzu praises spontaneity and naturalness; Confucius focus is on the human, Lao Tzu’s on what transcends the human” (Smith 218).
Taoism is a universal law of nature based on the belief that humans should be in harmony with patterns of nature. Thus, each individual creates his or her unique pattern and acts according to it. What if it comes to the disagreement, how it can be handled within or without norms of morality? The Taoism approach to ethics is quite unique saying there are no rules and each individual is free to act as he/she wants.
...keness of dust."(g3) Basically, its saying that the Tao spirit never dies. The third sense of Tao is the Way of Human Life. It adds on and goes together with the Way of the Universe. It speaks of the way life should be. There have been three Taoism's in China, not just one.
...ience true perfection. Since an ideal can never hold up to a reality, nothing can be truly perfect.
For many centuries, Confucianism has been widely revered by the Chinese for its emphasis on morality. Confucius, who lived from 551 to 479 BCE, is different to most philosophers in that he showed no interest questioning his existence, the possibility of a God, or the reality that he seemed to live in; instead he focused on the human relations side of philosophy as it was his belief that people should “give (themselves) earnestly to the duties due to men … (and) keep aloof from (spiritual beings)” (Confucius 195). By negating the metaphysical side of philosophy, he was able to devote himself to mold his disciples into ideal gentleman who were morally righteous, and were able to benefit society. He believed in the importance of individuals who knew their roles in an well-structured society, that was a feudal system. In his opinion, the ideal gentleman should be obedient to his elders, have humanness and be morally righteous. Through his teachings, he was able to reform an entire country; the Chinese found Confucianism to embody practices of humaneness that they could apply in their daily lives through his religion.