My Spiritual Path (not yours)


Originally I had a rather long winded justification for why I reject the Christian Protestantism of my youth in favor of Taoism and Zen. As I have continued my studies and my practice, I have discovered that I don't need a justification for what I believe, nor do I feel a need to describe to you why I am what I am, it just is the way it is. A person's spirituality is and should be an intensely personal journey filled with many things that DEFY verbal description. It just doesn't do them justice. People who spend a great deal of time discussing their faith don't really know what the word means, or they wouldn't feel a need to discuss it. If you are interested in learning about either Zen or Taoism, I have provided some quotes and links below. The path awaits you, only you can tread it.


"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conductive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." -Buddha



"The Tao doesn't take sides;
it gives birth to both good and evil.
The Master doesn't take sides;
she welcomes both saints and sinners.

The Tao is like a bellows:
it is empty yet infinitely capable.
The more you use it, the more it produces;
The more you talk of it, the less you understand.

Hold on to the center.
-Lao Tzu


This link doesn't fit either catagory but all of them at once so that's why it's here. Its the Asian Studies Virtual Library.


Taoist Links


Buddhist Links


© 1998-2002 J. S. Brown





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