1. Tao

The Tao that can be known is not Tao.
The substance of the World is only a name for Tao.
Tao is all that exists and may exist;


The World is only a map of what exists and may exist.
One experiences without Self to sense the World,
And experiences with Self to understand the World.
The two experiences are the same within Tao;
They are distinct only within the World.
Neither experience conveys Tao
Which is infinitely greater and more subtle than the World.






The Dao De Jing, along with the Zhuangzi is one of the core texts of the Chinese way of thinking known as "Daoism". This word has a number of meanings. In these early texts Daosm is manifest as a sophisticated view of the world which mediates on the nature of the world. There is a common disapproval of the unnatural and artificial. Social convention is rejected in favour of the ecstatic and the immediate nature of experience. Later on Daoism alo cam to signify the large number of popular cults that exist in China (so-called "popular Daoism"). Although Daoism is often set in opposition to Confucianism, both ways of thinking interacted with each other. It should also be noted that although Ch'an Buddhism [or Zen Buddhism] is usually seen as a variant of Mahayana Buddhism, in many respects it draws on Daoist ideas.

There are many ways of translating the Dao De Jing. This selection here is drawn from an interpolation of various translations by Peter A. Merel (pete@extro.su.oz.au) based upon the translations of: Lin Yutang, Ch'u Ta-Kao, Gia-Fu Feng & Jane English, Richard Wilhelm and Aleister Crowley.

From Chinese Cultural Studies: Dao De Jing Tao Te Ching: Selections
http://acc6.its.brooklyn.cuny.edu/~phalsall/texts/taote-ex.html

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jb

I moved this thread to offtopic. I'm not really sure what to make of it.

Tao is way ancient Chinese tried to explain nature . I don't think few quotes can elaborate such concept.

Daoism is part of Taijiquan as much as it is part of the Chinese culture.
The Journal of Asian Martial Arts this month has an in depth article (at least 10 pages!) on the relationship between Daoism and Taijiquan.

http://www.goviamedia.com/store.php?crn=205

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jb

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jb

Tao is the base of Taiji:

What is in the end to be shrunk
Must first be stretched.
Whatever is to be weakened
Must begin by being made strong.
What is to be overthrown
Must begin by being set up.
He who would be a taker
Must begin as a giver.
This is called “dimming” one's light.
It is thus that the soft overcomes the hard
And the weak, the strong.
“It is best to leave the fish down in his pool;
Best to leave the State's sharpest weapons wherenone can see them.

http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wengu.php?l=Daodejing&no=36

(this website gives different translation and the Chinese text)

Zhuang zi gives concrete application of breathing

http://www.goodhealthways.com/?p=17

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jb

here is an intersting text about taiji and taoism :

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/tao-chi.html

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.html

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jb

Alain, Wu style has come from Yang taiji not Wudang. Shaolin didn't share its art with anyone at the time. So there is a small chance only. In turn, Taosists affected taiji in other ways, more phylosophical conceptual .

Here is little clarification. There are two styles Wu - nothern and southern.
Here how it goes. Chen Changxing 14th generation of Chen masters taught Yang Luchan - the first outsider of Chen village who had been passed the knowledge. Later Yang Luchan created Yang style. His son Yang Panhou taught Wu Quanyou. So Wu style was founded. Finaly Wu style split on northern and southern after Wu Jianquan.