Daoism is a set of thoughts originating in China – one of the “big three” (the others being #Confucianism and #Buddhism). In #Daoism, the #Dao is the source of everything and the ultimate principle underlying reality. Practitioners are encouraged to become one with the unplanned rhythms of the all, called “the way” or “Dao”.
Many things we associate with China have to do with Daoism: Chinese astrology, Chan (#Zen) Buddhism (a mix of Daoism and Buddhism), several #martialarts including #kungfu, traditional Chinese medicine, #fengshui and many styles of #qigong.
One of Daoism’s most important representatives is #Laozi who wrote the Tao Te Ching. My favourite though is #Zhuangzi who wrote wonderful anecdotes.
Daoist ethics include wu wei (action without intention), naturalness, simplicity, spontaneity and compassion, frugality and humility. I guess the main concept of Daoism can be described as “go with the flow”. One should not resist change and accept defeat humbly.
But there are also things that hardly anyone knows about Daoism. Would you have known, for example, that the early Daoists aspired to immortality? That they practised inner #alchemy because of this? And that they believed they could travel to the stars with the help of a special dance?
Daoism had a decisive influence on my novel “The Glint of the Luopan”. My protagonists Lai Fang, Lijie Fang and Izzy are all interested in Daoism. It is the fundamental belief of the Dreamer Society – all portals function according to Daoist principles, for example. And the mysterious substance Jindan may also have something to do with this Chinese belief system…