V. How AAUGH! Tops Tao.

A Christian or other deist, always wanting to see the meaning of life personified, might say that Taoists actually worship Nature or the "Way" of Nature as if it were a god. It makes sense, in a way. If you thought Gaea was a benevolent force that kept things in order, in Nature and in our lives, and if you believed that you could learn a particular way that Gaea wanted you to live by observing nature, that following Gaea's way would make you happier, it's almost the same as Taoism except for changing the name of the "Tao" to "Gaea" or "God" or "the Collective Unconscious" or even "Use The Force (tm), Luke!!"

While they might quibble over what to call it, they would probably forget that they share some basic beliefs. Deists and Taoists generally believe that some great dude or power controls their fate, and that humans can learn a certain way to behave which will earn them happiness, either by pleasing that big dude or working in tandem with that wispy force.

What about us confused folks who didn't get copied in on that behavioral adjustment memo penned by Christ or Mohammed or Yoda? What kind of benevolent deity would forget to copy us in? Have your people get back to my people on this "issue." As for Taoism, how can Hoff act like everyone is a fool who doesn't see the Great Way of Taoism? If you can't even put the definition of Tao into words, how the hell do you expect anyone else to learn it? If people can't learn it accidentally and naturally, if it isn't a universal given that everyone can pick it up by observing nature and meditating, then how do you know it's not just a few crazy Taoist masters who are happy because they have some extra dopamine in their system, or they were born over a natural nitrous oxide spring?

I can sympathize with Charlie Brown. Chuck can't figure out Life. It worries him. His dog is smarter than him. Sometimes his closest friends can't resist cutting him down. His life is Chaos and he can't help it. Is he a victim of Chaos, or does he take wrong actions which create chaotic results? To me and Chuck and Eeyore, it looks like Chaos drops down on us without any help from us. Good for you that Order (or nitrous) seems to have wrapped up your fate nice and snug. But don't talk that crap to us that we should get simple-minded and everything will work itself out fine.

I believe it was Abbie Hoffman who once said, "Telling an addict JUST SAY NO TO DRUGS is like telling a manic-depressive, DON'T WORRY--BE HAPPY." Benjamin Hoff goes a step worse in his advice that we should all emulate Pooh: STOP THINKING and you'll be happy.









THE END.












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