Toaism (or Daoism) is an ancient Chinese system of beliefs that is difficult to describe because one of its beliefs is that it is indescribable. It must be experienced to be defined. Tao can be translated roughly into English as "path" or "the way" or "the route."

The History of Tao

Taoism is believed by some to have been founded by Lao-Tse (alternative spellings: Laozi, Lao Tze, Lao Tsu, etc.) in ancient China. Although others claim that there was no founder and that Lao-Tse is a mythical figure. Taoism (pronounced Daoism) grew out of various religious and philosophical ideas in ancient China, including shamanism and nature religion.

Its origins, like its meaning, are difficult to trace. During a time of endless warfare in China, Taoism grew as an answer to the bitter debates and chaos of the time. Though Taosim started as a combination of philosophy and psychology, it became a state religion sometime in the 5th century. It joined Buddhism and Confucianism to become the third great religion of China.

State support for Taoism ended around 1911 with the end of the Ch'ing Dynasty. In 1949 as the Communist party came to power in China, Taoism was brutally suppressed, along with all other religions. Although, in more recent years, communist leaders have realized the traditional significance of the religion and many temples and monasteries have been re-opened and restored.

Basic Beliefs

The Taoist basic view and concept of the world is active and holistic, rather than static and atomistic. Holistic is an idea that the properties of a system are not defined by its components, but rather that the system as a whole determines how parts behave. This is significant in the idea of holistic healing. The body is not made of parts, but the parts make up the body.

Taoist healing beliefs often mention three bodies that make up one human body: the physical body, the energy body, and the spiritual body. In holistic healing, without a complete focus and restoration of all three bodies, healing cannot take place. Due to the inadequacies that often arise in Western medicine, Eastern healing practices have come into the spotlight in recent years and many people have a desired to try alternative sources of healing, such as Taoist holistic healing.

Though Tao is considered deeply metaphysical, it is not intended as an abstract philosophy. Tao is viewed as a constant, active force in the universe and not a moral or ethical code. For many Western people newly introduced to it, the subtle, calm, and quiet Taoist beliefs have brought strength and healing.