Dao: Spirituality is philosophy

Daoism is the closest that I can come to any religion. Because it's not a religion. It's philosophy. It's a way of thinking. It's a way of conducting yourself by discovering yourself.

I have grown to think this way even before I knew anything about the Dao. Now, after taking a course in Chinese culture and reading more about Daoism I realize how close it is to what I have always been thinking about. I never associated myself with any religion because in my eyes it was too narrow for me. I always viewed religion as something personal, something that brought you and no one else to peace with yourself and your own life. Any perception of faith that completes you, is religion in my eyes. Therefore it is something that needs to be discovered from within by knowing yourself before you distinguish yourself.

I hate the word "religion". I abhor it. The word should have never been created in the first place. "Philosophy" is a better term to use for defining your beliefs. Philosophy involves thinking, developing and understanding through observing, analyzing and clearing your mind of pre-conceived thoughts.

I believe that more people need to do this in order to find themselves to make themselves happy. Once they do that, they will be able to be kind to others and humanity.

Read my notes at Master Chen's speech at East West Center Chinese Natural School of Medicine.

I have never felt so close to something that comprehensively and distinctly defined my beliefs. I always thought it was just my own philosophy, but it is 5000 years old. It's the Dao. Chinese history is fascinating, I am most definitely going to be traveling there in my future.