Taoism Course Conclusion
(This is an excerpt from a University Of Metaphysical Sciences course at www.umsonline.org, please feel free to visit the school website)
The Taoists have said that by looking inside and outside the body, and understanding the relationship between self and the universe, one can then live with meaning, peace, and harmony. This takes effort though. From a Taoist perspective it is every individual's job who wants this state to actively seek it and make it part of every aspect of life. Taoists also say that there is a greater power than the ego, which people can tap into and learn from. This is the mind of the Tao. The mind of the Tao seeps into the human mind when beings engage it and let it flow through them. This takes great courage because the ego has to lose dominance. The Taoists were willing to surrender to this force because when they experienced it, they felt perfect harmony.
The transformational experiences of Taoists have been recorded throughout history and continually show that profound shifts can happen within an individual. However, one does not have to be Taoist to experience what they have felt. The Taoist perspective is that anyone can tap into the Tao by cultivating it. This can be done through the Taoist healing arts or by some other form. Modern Taoists such as Mantak Chia say that all religions are pointing toward connection with a higher force and that all forms of practice that seek this connection are valid. Taoist practices are one of many, and can awaken beautiful transformations of the body, mind, and spirit, as well as bring answers to the questions humans have sought throughout time.