Taoism Essays (708 words) - Taoism, Chinese Philosophy,

Taoism Taoism is a religion that originated in Ching, probably during the 300s B.C. Taoism is also the name of a religion that began in the 100s B.C. Through the many years this religion has influenced artists and writers in the East and West. The word Tao (also spelled Dao) originally meant road or way. The Taoist studied their religion and they believed that everything in the world was explained by the way. The word (the way) is also meant as reality as a whole or individual ways The beliefs of Taoism appear in two books, the Lao-tzu (later renamed the Tao Te Ching The Classic Way and Virtue) and the Chuan-tzu are all the different books that they often read. The Lao-tzu is a book that was brought together by many unknown authors. At first Confucianism was very popular among the Chinese but they believed they had to many rules. In Confucianism people can live a good life only in a well-disciplined society that stresses attention to ceremony, duty, mortality, and public service. Although in Taoism it was not as strict. In the Taoist religion they believed to live a simple life yet still mediated and was close to nature. The Taoist religion had an influence on many of the artist involved. Tao Qian was highly against any type of violence and wanted a life in harmony with nature. Xia Gui painted paintings and landscapes that reflected the Taoist sensitivity to nature. Taoism was influenced by Chinese folk religion. In folk religion their gods are represented as human being who displayed exceptional powers during their lifetime. One of many they believed was a god that was a human being in there past lives was Guan Di, who is the protector of business people, lived as a general during the A.D. 200s. The priests would display public rituals in which they submit the peoples prayers to the gods of folk religion. The chief priest, who is in a trance, prays to other divinities for the worshipers. These divinities are not former human beings but represent aspects of Tao. The members of some Taoist groups have sought to attention immortality through magic, meditation and special diets, breath control, or the recitation of scriptures. Tao is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. The goal of everyone is one with the Tao. The concept of a personified deity is foreign to Taoism, as is the concept of the creation of the universe. Thus, they do not pray as Christians do; there is no God to hear the prayers or act upon them. They seek answers to lifes problems through inner meditation and other observation. Time cyclical, not linear as in western thinking. Yin (dark side) is a breath that formed the earth. Yang (light side) is the breath that formed the heavens. They symbolize pairs of opposites that are seen through the universe, such as good and evil, light and dark, male and female. Intervention by human civilization upsets the balances of Yin and Yang. The Tao surrounds everyone therefore everyone must listen to find enlightenment. Five main organs and the body that complement Taoism are the five parts of the sky: water, fire, wood, metal and earth. Each person must nurture the ChI (air, breath) that has been given to him or her. Development of virtue is ones major task. The three jewels that identify Taoism are compassion, moderation, and humility. Taoists follow the art of wu wei, which is to achieve action through minimal action. It is the practice of going against the stream not by struggling against it and trashing about, but by standing still and letting the stream do all the work. Thus the sage knows that relative to the river, he still moves against the current. To the outside world the sage appears to take no action-but in fact he takes action long before others ever foresee the need for action. Taoists believe that people are compassionate by nature... left to their own devices [they] will show this compassion without expecting an award. Bibliography Sivin, N. Taoism The World Book Encyclopedia. 1997, Volume19 page 36 www.taoism.com Religion Essays

What to Do If a College Class Is Full

What to Do If a College Class Is Full The class you need to take to make progress toward your degree has already filled up. You have to get in, but what can you do if theres no room when you register? While this situation is incredibly frustrating (and all too common), there are a few steps you can take to either get into the class or find an alternate solution. 6 Steps to Take Next When a College Class Is Full Get on the waitlist as soon as possible. You can often do this at registration and the sooner you get on the list, the higher your ranking will be.Talk to the professor. Do you need the class for graduation? Are there other circumstances that might help you plead your case? Talk to the professors during their office hours to see if theres anything that can be done.Talk to the registrar. If you desperately need to get into a class for graduation or financial reasons, talk to the registrars office. They might be able to make an exception if the professor also approves letting you into the class.Explore other options and alternatives. Sign up for at least one other class that you can take in place of your desired class, just in case you cant get in. The last thing you need is to be blocked out from all of the good classes because you thought youd get into your wait-listed one.Have a backup plan ready to go if you cant get in. Can you take the same course online? With another professor? At another campus nearby? Over the summer? Being creative about your options can help you find a solution in case your original plan doesnt work out. Most Importantly, Dont Panic It may seem like the end of the world, but rest assured that its not. When you discover that one of your most essential course requirements is full, sit down and take a deep breath. Review your options. Read through the advice given above one more time because you may have missed an important detail that can help.  Get out your notebook and make a to-do list. Writing down the steps you need to take, the exact people you need to talk to, and your points for why  you  should be in that class will help clear your head.Go out and pursue it. Take the action needed to put your plan in place and work each of these steps simultaneously. If one approach backfires, you will already have the others in progress or know what you need to do to start the next one.Be professional. Whoever you speak (or plead) with to try and get in that class, do so in an adult manner. Its very easy to be overly emotional when youre frustrated, but thats not the best approach to sweet talking professors and registrars. Whining will not get you anywhere, pleading your case with facts and a professional demeanor will.