The Way of the Divine, The Tau

The Way of the Divine, The Tau

Before emigrating to Araxes, the original settlers of Araxes were known as devotees of "The Tau", Tauists. Many generations later, when changes were made to the colonists themselves by the extreme environmental pressures of living on Araxes, they became known as the Desertborn, but they were still devotees of the Way of the Tau.

Just as the incredible environmental pressure of Araxes caused changes in their bodies, so too did adapting to the extremes of the desert cause changes in how they practice The Tau, but the underlying philosophy and metaphysical perspective remains the same.

Desertborn Tauism strongly emphasizes accepting consequences for one’s decisions and actions, self reliance AND the necessity of cooperation, being ecologically conscientious, and that mindfulness, self awareness, and empathy are important for individual and group to survive and thrive.

The Tau is "the nature of all things" or "the truth underlying existence".

God/Metaphysics

In general, but only in general, devotees of The Tau do not consider the idea of an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent self-conscious personal creator God.

Metaphysical speculation about creator gods, spirits, origins of the universe, or afterlife scenarios, even if seemingly rational explanations, all rely upon unprovable assumptions. The Way of The Tau does not bother about arguments that rely on unprovable assumptions, instead The Way of The Tau focuses on the here and now reality of discontent, and can be verified by direct experience to verify its truth.

The Way of The Tau is pragmatic, it does not indulge in metaphysical speculation about first causes; theology, nor bother about the worship of a deity, or even consider deification. The Tau looks only at the condition of life itself. The Tau of Inquiry is such that everything taught can be verified by one’s own observation about the way things are, and can directly experienced, thus coming to their own conclusion.

The Way of The Tau has no deities, per se.

God as a term is often defined as being an ultimate creator or universal power, definitions are based on perception and meanings are relative to one’s state of mind. It’s not productive arguing over something relative to each person; each person’s view of God is personal. Each person has a very deep and connected relationship in what they view God may or may not be. A person’s view of God is a statement and reflection of the way a person also views their own life. When discussing differences in God, it’s best to respect it as also being a highly personal topic.

When first coming to explore the Way of The Tau, many people instinctively compare the terms, God and The Tau. The Tau is not God, The Way of the Tau is about the nature of the universe and how it functions, but it is not God.

Our lives are expressions of action between ourselves and the universe. To respect our surrounding environment is a furthering of respect to ourselves, this manner of living doesn’t change regardless of the nature of God. Whether God exists or doesn’t change the way we lead our lives.

God and Tau are undefinable

Devotess of The Way of The Tau don’t think The Tau is before, after or is even equal to God. The Tau is a concept to describe something that goes beyond our capability to define. The Tauist leaves The Tau undefined, and a The Tauist happily explores the wonder that opens up as a result. Something which is indefinable is outside of human definition by default; however we can still accept it as indefinable. The Tau by being indefinable removes all issues of perception in its definition since perception cannot directly reveal The Tau which is undefined. It’s just simply and utterly is: undefined!

The Tau and God merge towards the same concept when the definition of God is indefinable. Once a person accepts the definition of The Tau as being indefinable, that person by definition has to leave it as undefined. Once you place any definition over such a term, it takes a person further away from the whole concept of The Tau.

Some of Tauists have something similar or akin to gods, but Tauist 'gods' typically are very tangible beings or accepted as very metaphorical beings. They walk beside us, share tea with us, laugh, play and can alter reality. A Tauist 'god' represents an enlightened being that helps other conscious beings work towards grace. In The Tau, 'gods' are shown as guides and inspiration towards how to find enlightenment.

We are of The Tau. God is The Tau. The Tauist’s say this because we also are undefined. We only define ourselves as we live. While living, we are still moving through life, our nature is indefinable until the end of living. As a result, we are of The Tau. A The Tauist can see The Tau within everything, a very delicate logical truth and often confuses non- Tauists. We know The Tau by witnessing our own life. The Tau is indefinable, and yet we are complete with The Tau.

Not a Religion

The Way of The Tau is more than just a philosophy, and it is not a religion. The Way of The Tau should be understood as being a system of belief, attitudes, and practices set towards the service and living to a person’s nature. The Tau is a cognitive science with its own ontological understanding of existence. The Tau is more of a philosophy or 'way of life', it is a philosophy to the extent that philosophy 'means love of wisdom'. The Way of The Tau is to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding.

The Way of The Tau explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true contentment.

The Way of The Tau answers many of the problems in modern materialistic societies, it also includes a deep understanding of the mind and natural therapies which are both very advanced and effective.

The Way of The Tau is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions, and while it appreciates the moral teachings of religions, The Way of The Tau goes further by providing a path within our existence, through wisdom and true understanding. Devotees of The Way of The Tau do not preach or try to convert, only explain if an explanation is sought.

The Way of Inquiry, The Tau of Truthful Inquiry

The Way of The Tau considers that its base tenants can be tested and proven by anyone, in fact testing and proving to oneself the basic tenants of The Way of The Tau is an integral part of The Way of The Tau. The Way of The Tau is learned thru direct experimentation and experience, rather than demanding the acceptance of dogma revealed by a divine source.

The Way of The Tau does not demand acceptance of doctrine or dogma, it merely asks an openness to experience the truth about Dependent Origination, which opens the door to enlightenment. Once one experiences the truth about Dependent Origination, one can find The Way (The Tau) to one's own potential.

Devotees of The Way of The Tau warn strongly against blind faith and encourage There is danger inherent in fashioning one's beliefs merely on hearsay, on tradition, because many others say it is so, on the authority of ancient scriptures, on the word of a supernatural being, or out of trust in one's teachers, elders, or priests. Instead The Way of Truthful Inquiry instructs one to maintain an open mind and thoroughly investigates one's own experience of life. When one sees for oneself that a particular view agrees with both experience and reason, and leads to the happiness of one and all, then one should accept that view and live up to it!

The Teachings should be considered and inquired into using the clarity of mind born of meditation. Only when one sees these Teachings for oneself in the experience of insight, do The Teachings become one's Truth and give liberation.

The Traveller on The Way of Truthful Inquiry needs the practice of tolerance. Tolerance does not mean that one embraces every idea or view but means one doesn't get angry at what one can't accept. Further along the journey, The Traveller on The Way of Truthful Inquiry might find that what one once disagreed with might later be seen to be true. If The Traveller on The Way of Truthful Inquiry had polluted their mind with ridicule and scorn, they might have missed the elusive truth before they were capable of learning it and closed their minds preventing its realization.

True Understanding is a significant step on the path as it relates to seeing the world and everything in it as it really is, not as we believe it to be, or want it to be. Just as you may read the directions on a map, and then make the journey, studying, reading and examining the information is important, but only the preparation for the journey. At a deeper level, direct personal experience will then lead us to Right Understanding.

The Way of The Tau is not meant to be a doctrine handed down thru some divine revelation to be treated as sacred dogma, but no doubt some people take it as such. The Way of The Tau is a method to experience reality and not reality itself, just as a finger pointing at the moon is not the moon itself. A thinking person makes use of the finger to see the moon. A person who only looks at the finger and mistakes it for the moon will never see the real moon.

Knowing reality is of very little value if we don’t put it to personal use in our lives.

Suffering, Frustration and Pain

Pain, suffering, frustration, discontent, despair, and so on, are collectively suffering. The nature of all sentient beings is ignorance and to be afflicted with various forms of suffering. The cause of suffering is craving and dependence on petty worldly desires and aversions. Enlightenment can only be achieved when one is free from dependence. By letting go of attachment desire and aversion, enlightenment can be achieved and the cessation of suffering. One must dispel one’s cravings and ignorance to be liberated from the suffering, then it can learn to live in accord with the universe, its sufferings will cease.

Abstain from ways contrary to the universe, constantly cleanse the mind, find balance in life, live in accordance with The Way of the Universe. Mental suffering will be eliminated and balance in life will be attained.

All actions of body, speech, and mind, yield results, which we are each and all responsible for said results; which includes our own suffering as well as the suffering of others, which is the result from our choices and actions. Understanding reality allows you the ability to live in balance with the Universe, which will naturally result in balance, self-control, and virtuous conduct.

Life is full of frustration and pain.

We suffer because we are constantly struggling to survive, trying to prove our existence, the harder we struggle to establish ourselves and our relationships, the more painful our experience becomes. Our struggle to survive, our effort to prove ourselves and solidify our relationships is unnecessary. We, and the world, can get along quite comfortably without all our unnecessary posturing. We could all just be a simple, direct and straight-forward persons. We do this by abandoning our expectations about how we think things should be.

The Tau is The Way, or path to end the cause of suffering. Mindful awareness of all the things that we use to torture ourselves with. We become mindful by abandoning our expectations about the way we think things should be and, out of our mindfulness, we begin to develop awareness about the way things really are. We begin to develop the insight that things are really quite simple, that we can handle ourselves, and our relationships, very well as soon as we stop being so manipulative and complex.

Dependence on worldly desires is the cause of suffering, enlightenment can be attained by giving up the dependence upon worldly desires. The knowledge of the true nature of reality can help one overcome the suffering that arises from dependence upon worldly desires. The Tau is the path or way to said enlightenment and liberation from suffering. Perspective, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and focus are all integral parts of The Tau.

Reducing one’s dependence upon worldly desires does not mean that one does not value or enjoy life. The Tau emphasis is on valuing life, and focuses on life. Once one is liberated from the distractions which result from dependence on worldly desires, one can more easily find the mindfulness and focus to live effortlessly and spontaneously in a state of grace in accordance with The Way of the Universe. With said mindfulness and focus, one can learn spontaneous effortless action that allows the internal alchemy to store and convert circulating life energy into the primeval Tau.

The Suffering of Suffering is more overt, like old age, sickness and death, but also includes losing something that we care about, encountering something undesirable, and not getting something that we want after trying to get it.

The Suffering of Change relates to the law of impermanence. Nothing will stay the same. Something that makes us happy will eventually be gone; there are not exceptions to this rule.

The Suffering of Conditioning relates to the idea that we always have the potential to suffer. We may experience pleasure or even a neutral state right now, but there will eventually be more stress, discomfort, suffering. It is natural for things in life to go up and down.

There are other forms of suffering:

We become unhappy if we don’t have our expectations met.

There are things in life that we want and desire; yet we cannot have.

The things that we have that make us happy or satisfied never last – they die, leave, get lost, get old, change, etc.

We might think that if we had a lot of money we would be happy, yet you then will worry about losing that money or someone taking advantage of you because we have money. The anxiety about material comfort is only transformed, it does not go away. That is not to say to avoid having a livelihood, but understanding that the root anxiety is not cured by material transformation.

Sensual craving for things that we can sense through sight, hearing, feeling, taste, smell, and mind. Craving certain food, or sounds, craving for affectionate touch, attractive sites and smells, wanting to have an exquisite meal, and so on. Included in this list is the craving to not experience something unpleasant.

Craving to Be is the craving to be something or someone, to have an experience. For example: the craving to be wealthy, muscular, better at something, etc.

Craving not to be something. Examples may include: craving to not be in a particular job or a relationship, not wanting to look a certain way.

Not all craving is bad, the difference lies in our understanding of the cause of suffering. We must realize that if our mind is not trained properly, even wholesome craving can lead to suffering.

Not everything in the world is filled with suffering, but it cannot be denied that many things in life bring stress, dissatisfaction or unease.

The key difference is not to focus on eliminating the material object of our suffering; but to eliminate the immaterial cause of our suffering in our minds. We cannot change the fact that things happen in the world, but we can change our mind and how we see and respond to them.

We need to understand that we are the ones causing our suffering and we need to train our mind in a new way. We can understand how the world truly is and free ourselves from delusion and release suffering.

It makes sense that to eliminate suffering, we need to extinguish what is causing the suffering; namely needless desires, cravings, and attachments.

Suffering in the context the The Way of The Tau also refers to the feeling you experience when you encounter pain, old age, sickness, loss, or separation from loved ones, but it can also represent a general unsatisfied feeling.

Birth is suffering, decay, sickness and death are suffering. To be separated from what you like is suffering. To want something and not get it is suffering. Clinging and attachment brings suffering.

Suffering in its broad sense, comes from desire, and specifically, desire for meeting our expectations and for self fulfilment as we see it. By desiring for ourselves rather than the whole, we will always have suffering.

In the same way that a child wants a new toy and then, having achieved that, will long for yet another, we seek fulfilment of our desire, to then move on to another. All the time, our lives are only temporarily satisfied.

Life is filled with many kinds of suffering, life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death; during our life we loneliness, frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger.

Much suffering is caused by craving and aversion, we suffer when we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want, etc. Getting what you want does not guarantee happiness, wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. Craving leads to physical suffering.

Suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; true happiness and contentment are possible, if we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time instead of dwelling in the past or the imagined future, then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others.

The Practice of The Way of The Tau

Perspective, aspirations, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, focus, self-awareness, empathy, philosophical maturity, virtuous conduct, and internal alchemy.

Wisdom helps us understand reality and see the world as it really is. Perception and Intention. True Understanding will eliminate ignorance. With Pure Intention and True Understanding, we can then remove desires which causes suffering.

Ethical Conduct helps us attain mental purification and virtue. Speech, Action and Livelihood.

Mental Discipline helps in developing true wisdom. Mindfulness and Empathy.

1. Perspective/True View

False View occurs when we impose our expectations onto things; expectations about how we hope things will be, or about how we are afraid things might be. The True View occurs when we see things simply, as they are. It is an open and accommodating attitude. We abandon hope and fear and take joy in a simple straight-forward approach to life.

Perception. An understanding of the nature of things in the world as they truly are. The nature of suffering, the cause of suffering and the cessation of suffering.

2. Intention

Pure Intention proceeds from The True View. If we are able to abandon our expectations, our hopes and fears, we no longer need to be manipulative. We don't have to try to con situations into our preconceived notions of how they should be. We work with what is. Our intentions are pure.

Intention. Making sure our thoughts and intentions toward others and ourselves are meant to help and support.

Our minds are easily influenced by negative thoughts like anger, greed, jealousy, attachment, and the like. It is with proper training, that we can eradicate negative, craving, attached thoughts.

Pure Intention. Commit to the path. Understanding shows us what life really is and what life’s problems are composed of, Intention urges us to decide what our heart wants.

Intention must come from the heart and involves recognising the equality of all life and compassion for all that life, beginning with yourself.

Intention means persistence and a passion for the journey. Setting out to climb a high mountain means you must understand the lay of the land and the pitfalls, the other team members, and the equipment you need. This is similar to Understanding, but you will only climb the mountain if you really want to and have a passion for the climb; that is Pure Intention. The mountain we climb here is our journey though life.

3. Speech

Genuine speech. Once intentions are pure, there is no longer need to be embarrassed about our speech. Since we aren't trying to manipulate people, we don't have to be hesitant about what we say, nor do we need to try bluff our way through a conversation with any sort of phoney confidence. We say what needs to be said, very simply in a genuine way.

Speech. Always communicate to promote harmony and understanding and avoid any harmful communication

Righteous speech involves recognition of the truth, and also an awareness of the impact of idle gossip and of repeating rumours. Communicating thoughtfully helps to unite others, and can heal dissention. By resolving not to speak unkindly, or in anger, a spirit of consideration evolves which moves us closer to everyday compassionate living.

We tend to underestimate the power of the spoken word, and often regret words said in haste. Each of us has experienced the disappointment associated with harsh criticism, whether justified or not, and we also are likely to have felt good when kind words encouraged us.

4. Discipline/Action

Righteous Discipline involves renouncing the tendency to complicate issues. We practice simplicity. We have a simple straight-forward relationship with our dinner, our job, our house and our family. We give up all the unnecessary and frivolous complications that we usually try to cloud our relationships with.

Action. Our actions promote moral and honorable conduct

Ethical and Moral Action recognises the need to take the ethical approach in life, to consider others and the world we live in. This includes not taking what is not given to us, and having respect for the agreements we make both in our private and business lives.

Ethical and Moral Action includes a whole approach to the environment; Ethical and Moral Action being taken whenever possible to safeguard the world for future generations.

5. Livelihood

Righteous Livelihood is only natural and right that we should earn our living. Many don't particularly enjoy our jobs, but either dislike them for weak reasons or cling to them for weak reasons. We should form a simple relationship with it. We need to perform it properly, with attention to detail and effectiveness. Seeking a livelihood that truly suits our needs and wants is a righteous goal, but only if the needs are righteous and motives pure.

One we understand how things truly are, we can work with them gently without struggle and aggression. Wrong effort is struggle

Livelihood. The work you do in the world must not harm anyone or anything or compromise any to the precepts

Proper Livelihood. If your work has a lack of respect for life, then it will be a barrier to progress on the spiritual path. The Way of The Tau promotes the principle of equality of all living beings and respect for all life.

6. Effort

Effort. Master your thoughts to promote loving-kindness and abolish negativity

Effort means cultivating an enthusiasm, a positive attitude in a balanced way. Like the strings of a musical instrument, the amount of effort should not be too tense or too impatient, as well as not too slack or too laid back. Effort should produce an attitude of steady and cheerful determination. Clear and honest thoughts should be welcomed, and feelings of jealousy and anger left behind. Effort equates to positive thinking, followed by focused action.

7. Mindfulness

Mindfulness involves precision and clarity, mindful of the tiniest details of our experience, of the way we talk, the way we perform our jobs, our posture, our attitude toward our friends and family, every detail. Mindfulness is about awareness, but it should also flow without effort.

All too often, we are absorbed in various forms of distraction and absentmindedness, our minds are completely captivated by all sorts of entertainment and speculations, and the insecurities that result from our preoccupation with ourselves. True Mindfulness means that we are completely absorbed in nowness, in things as they are.

Mindfulness. Awareness of all activities in the body, including feelings and the mind.

Mindfulness. Mindfulness means being aware of the moment, and being focused in that moment. When we travel somewhere, we are hearing noises, seeing buildings, trees, advertising, feeling the movement, thinking of those we left behind, thinking of our destination. So it is with most moments of our lives. Mindfulness asks us to be aware of the journey at that moment, and to be clear and undistracted at that moment. Mindfulness is not an attempt to exclude the world, in fact, the opposite. Right asks us to be aware of the moment, and of our actions at that moment. By being aware, we are able to see how old patterns and habits control us. In this awareness, we may see how fears of possible futures limit our present actions.

8. Focus.

Once the mind is uncluttered, it may then be focus to achieve whatever is desired without the clutter and distraction of attachment. Focus implies that we select worthy directions for the concentration of the mind, although everything in nature, beautiful and ugly, may be useful for concentration. The benefits of Mindfulness and Focus are significant as they teach the mind to see things, not as we are conditioned to seeing them, but as they really are. At the same time, they also lead to a feeling of calm and peace with the world. By being in the moment and being able to concentrate effectively, a sense of joy in the moment is felt. Release from the control of past pains and future mind games takes us closer to freedom from suffering.

Mindfulness and Concentration purifies the mind through the experience of inner stillness and empowers the mind to penetrate meaning through profound moments of insight.

Egolessness

Egolessness can seem confusing, because there is some confusion as to what is meant by ego. Ego, in The Tauist sense is a collection of mental events about form, impulse and perception, conceptionalization, consciousness, and feeling. The ego begins to come up with ways to possess these things, and craves to consume, and we long to satisfy that craving. The ghost of that craving carries over and we look around for something more to consume and eventually become consumption (or consumer) oriented. We can never find satisfaction, it is like drinking salt water to quench our thirst.

Having the mind like that of an animal, we find security by making certain that everything is totally predictable, this is often characterised by ignorance and fear, resulting in wilfully restricted points of view.

Acute aggression is the wall of anger between ourselves and our experience; everything irritates us, even the most innocuous, and innocent statement drives us mad with anger. The heat of our anger is reflected back on us and sends us into a frenzy to escape from our torture, which in turn causes us to fight even harder and get even angrier. The whole thing builds on itself until we don't even know if we're fighting with someone else or ourselves. We are so busy fighting that we can't find an alternative to fighting; the possibility of alternative never even occurs to us.

Acute paranoia, concerned with "making it", everything is seen from a competitive point of view. We are always trying to score points, and trying to prevent others from scoring on us. If someone achieves something special we become determined to outdo them. We never trust anyone; we "know" they're trying to slip one past us. If someone tries to help us, we try to figure out their angle. If someone doesn't try to help us, they are being uncooperative.

At some point people might hear about spirituality, they hear about the possibility of meditation techniques that will make their minds peaceful and absorb us into a universal harmony. They begin to meditate and perform certain rituals and we find themselves absorbed into infinite space and blissful states of existence. Everything sparkles with love and light; they feel like godlike beings. They feel proud of their powers of meditative absorption, they even dwell in the realm of infinite space where thoughts seldom arise to bother them. They ignore everything that doesn't confirm their powers, they have manufactured the illusion of godlike realm in their imagination. The problem is, that they have manufactured it. They eventually begin to relax and no longer feel the need to maintain their exalted state, and eventually a small slivers of doubt occur. Have we really made it? At first we are able to smooth over the question, but eventually the doubt begins to occur more and more frequently and soon we begin to struggle to regain our supreme confidence. As soon as we begin to struggle, we fall back into the lower realms and begin the whole process over and over; from godlike realm to jealous godlike realm to animal realm to hungry ghost realm to hell realm.

The sapient realm is characterised by doubt and inquisitiveness and the longing for something better. We are not as absorbed by the all consuming preoccupations of the other states of being. We begin to wonder whether it is possible to relate to the world as simple, dignified human beings.

The natural unstoppable function of the Ego is to control. Big Egos want to control the world, average Egos try to control their immediate surroundings of home, family and workplace, and almost all Egos strive to control what they take to be their own body and mind. Such control manifests as desire and aversion, it results in a lack of both inner peace and outer harmony. It is this Ego that seeks to acquire possessions, manipulate others and exploit the environment. Its aim is its own happiness thru control, but it invariably produces suffering. It craves for satisfaction but it experiences discontent. Such deep- rooted suffering cannot come to an end until one sees, through deep and powerful meditation, that the idea 'me and mine' is no more than a mirage.

We have no pre-ordained purpose, we exist and here we are. Along with language and conceptual thinking came this concept of a self, an ego that makes us feel separate from everything else. The ego needs constant reassurance of its importance, which is why we cling to our views and defend them fanatically, and why we are constantly criticizing others. Our ego rules our lives. It is terrified of being snuffed out.

Different people handle this existential anxiety in different ways. Some have lots of children so we can feel that a part of them lives on forever through their descendants. Some people perform outrageous heroic deeds so that their names will live on in history forever. Some strive to be the best at something and be immortalized in record book, so that they'll achieve digital immortality. Some cling to the idea that a god will give us eternal life in some form after death. Some go to extreme lengths to extend their lives, even copying their memories into computer files.

The concept of "no self" is very challenging. Each of us as a collection of body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness; each self has no fixed reality, but is a constantly changing self and dependant on changing conditions.

Each person has a physical body which is dependant on food and warmth, and develops in response to those inputs and to the ageing process. Our feelings change with our mood and our time and circumstance in life, and as a direct result of perceptions which comes from what we see and hear around us. We make decisions based on our feelings and perceptions and these constitute our mental formations.

From body, feelings, perceptions, and mental formations comes consciousness which is dependant on the other four. And the sum of these is what we refer to as self, so therefore there is no fixed definable self. You are still there, with a personality and feelings, and with tremendous possibility for change, and not locked in to some rigid fate, because your nature is built on change.

The self as dependant on everything that had gone before, and constantly changing in response to an interconnecting and changing reality. While we are not permanent and fixed entities, we are certainly part on the on-going reality.

Once this is understood, once interconnectedness becomes part of the way of seeing the world, then suffering arises from the personal concept of an independent self.

The Tau of Cessation is the cessation of petty material desires, aggression and ignorance; the cessation of the struggle to prove our existence to the world. We don't have to struggle to survive, the struggle was just an extra complication that we added to our lives because we had lost our confidence in the way things are. We no longer need to manipulate things as they are into things as we would like them to be.

Impermanence

Life is often marked with frustration and pain because we attempt to secure our relationship with the "world out there", by solidifying our experiences in some concrete way, but that "world out there" is constantly changing, everything is impermanent and it is impossible to make a permanent relationship with anything, at all.

Everything is marked by impermanence. One might posit an eternal consciousness principle, or higher self, but if we examine our consciousness closely we see that it is made up of temporary mental processes and events. Our "higher self" is speculative at best, it is an idea to secure ourselves, to cement our relationship with something impermanent and ephemeral; because of this we feel uneasy and anxious. It is only when we completely abandon clinging to the impermanent can we feel any relief from its ephemeral nature.

Suffering comes from life, as sickness, loneliness, old age, or just a general feeling of life not being what it should. Part of the problem is, that we wish life to be permanent when all existence is impermanent, everything is subject to continuous change. Birth and death are part of that process of change.

All life, yours, mine, your family and friends, is like a flowing river. While it may appear the same when you look at a river, each moment is different and every view of the river is different. Nothing in nature is what it was the moment before. Every living thing is in a continuous state of flux.

In our lives, our bodies grow when we are young, and change as we age. Relationships come and go, often because personalities, interests and attitudes change.

As we live, we take on both positive and negative habits and we cling to ideas which we associate with "our permanent selves". But our permanent self is a myth, and once we learn that, we can look beyond the need to have life stay the same.

Dependent Origination/Law of Consequence/Law of Causality

The most basic aspect of how the universe works is that there are consequences for all actions, and therefore for all choices.

The natural Law of Consequence becomes the force behind, and reason for, the practice of morality and compassion in society.

No being whatsoever, divine or otherwise, has any power to stop consequences, The Way of The Tau teaches the individual to take full responsibility for themselves.

Dependent Origination is also called the Law of Causality, nothing exists on its own, but always has come from earlier circumstances.

Paper come from wood pulp and water; wood comes from trees; trees comes from seeds from earlier trees. If you burn paper, it becomes smoke and ash, it has not disappeared but transformed. The essential components of that piece of paper were always there, and will always be there. A pot is made because once a potter took clay and formed it on a wheel and then fired the pot. Many circumstances and components were needed for the process.

In the same way, we did not spontaneously come into existence at birth, we are the result of our parents, of the circumstances of their meeting, and of all that happened before. You are alive today because you were once born, as a result of your parents meeting at an earlier time. Everything is always a consequence of something before, that is, the origin of everything is not unique, it is dependent on a particular set of circumstances having happened.

Dependent origination is similar to cause and effect. Desire causes suffering, one is dependent on the other. Following the path causes desire to reduce and so causes suffering to be reduced.

If you begin to see everything as dependant on everything else, then you will need to look to the larger picture where everything we think and do affects the future. The world is woven of interconnected threads.

Devotees of The Way of The Tau does not see a separate and benevolent creator who could act on our behalf; instead they see the interdependence of all life and the cause and effect of actions which create their own future. In this way, The Way of The Tau is more of a way of life than a religion or a philosophy.

Inner Alchemy

The Tau of Inner Alchemy is the art and science of gathering, storing and circulating the energies of the body for the purpose of improving physical, emotional and mental health.

The body is a precious and necessary resource for our transcendental journey, rather than as something to be ignored or left behind. The Tau of Inner Alchemy uses reproductive energy, life energy, and spiritual energy; each can be transmuted into the others, the storing and transmutation is known as Prana Binding.

Tau Inner Alchemists learn to perceive and work to open, cleanse and balance their meridians, their Awareness flows in as the present moment; what emerges good health, clarified perception and a direct experience of our connection to and embodiment of The Tau.

The Many Paths of the Way of The Tau

There is no set path in The Tau, it is an experiential and experimental philosophy and way of life. Individuals are guided by The Tau, each individual may follow a different path to achieve harmony with The Tau. Emphasize is made on leading a righteous life, but some paths emphasize more about the philosophical and spiritual paths, while others paths stress practices to improve physical health and vitality.

Naturalness, vitality, peace, spontaneity, receptiveness, emptiness, the relationship between humanity and the universe, and effortless inaction, all of which believed to lead to harmony with the cosmos.

To be with The Tau is to live in the universe The Way the universe actually works, instead of contrary to it, to attain enlightenment and be released from the suffering.

A Tauist’s purpose is to align himself harmoniously with The Tau. Be mindful of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding, and to lead a moral life. A Buddhist’s goal is to attain enlightenment once one has surpassed suffering. The ultimate goal of Tauists is to find the path or 'the Way' that helps one achieve harmony with the perfect natural order of the universe, thus able to find enlightenment and be freed from suffering. All things must be balanced to attain harmony. The Tau also refers to the virtue that one attains when one has an understanding of The Tau. The balance of opposing forces, is also known as The Tau. The Tau also refers to spontaneous effortless action that promotes harmony. The Tau also refers to simplicity, naturalness and spontaneity. Compassion, moderation and humility are referred to as the treasures of The Tau.

The Tauist Way of Life is focused on aligning oneself to the natural way of cosmos, and on understanding and surpassing pain and suffering through leading a moral life.

The Tauist Goal is to dissociate oneself from worldly diversions and desires and aligning oneself to the natural flow of the universe. This concept is best embodied by The Tau which means to 'act without action'. Action here pertains to advertent thoughts and exploits that are against the natural flow of things. Tauists deem that the universe works harmoniously according to its natural ways and one must always place one’s will in accordance to this flow.

Worldly material cravings can transcended and enlightenment attained.

Suffering, impermanence and egolessness are known as the three marks of existence.

Wealth does not guarantee happiness and wealth is impermanent. All people suffer whether rich or poor.

Be moral through what we say, do and our livelihood, focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom, and by developing compassion for others.

Do not cause suffering, do not to take anything not freely given, refrain from untrue speech, avoid losing mindfulness.

Every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results. Thus every action should be examined in the context of the intention behind the action, the effects of the action on oneself, and the effects our actions have on others.

Wisdom should be developed with compassion, a middle bath between being a good hearted fool and an emotionless sage. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent and do not constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective, unbigoted mind. The Way of The Tau requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence.

Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern, caring. We can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom.

He was no longer subject to craving, ill-will and delusion but was free from their shackles, having attained the complete ending of all forms of inner suffering and acquired unshakeable peace.

The Way of The Tau has been mistakenly labelled as pessimistic on the grounds that it begins by centring on suffering, but most devotees of The Way of The Tau consider it to be realistic in that it unflinchingly faces up to the truth of sufferings, and it is optimistic in that it shows a plausible solution to the suffering, enlightenment in this very life, not some distant supposed afterlife.

The Way of The Tau avoids the extremes of sensual indulgence and self-mortification. When the body is in reasonable comfort but not over-indulged has the mind the clarity and strength to meditate deeply and discover the Truth of The Way, which is The Tau. The Way of The Tau consists of the diligent cultivation of Virtue, Mindfulness and Wisdom.

Enlightened Understanding and Thought are the manifestation of Tau-Wisdom which ends all suffering, transforms the personality and produces unshakeable serenity and tireless compassion.

Without perfecting the practice of Virtue, it is impossible to perfect Meditation; without perfecting Meditation it is impossible to arrive at Enlightenment Understanding and Thought. Thus The Way of The Tau is a gradual path.

There are inescapable results of our actions, deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' harm, one's own harm, or to the harm of both, now, soon or in the future; usually motivated by greed, hatred or delusion, because they bring unnecessary painful results, they should be avoided. There are also deeds of body, speech or mind that lead to others' well being, one's own well being, or to the well being of both, usually motivated by generosity, compassion or wisdom.

In the same way that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed; no being whatsoever, divine or otherwise, has any power to stop consequences. The fact that one reaps just what one sows gives to The Tauist a greater incentive to avoid all forms of harmful acts as possible. This sounds exceedingly simple, and it is, yet people ignore it.

If we change our perception and reduce our attachment to desire, suffering will also reduce. This is not intended to lead to a cancellation of the zest for life, but to an understanding of the nature of life and to controlling those desires which come from that lack of understanding.

The Way of The Tau reveals three main characteristics of existence, which include suffering, impermanence and the concept of no unique self.

Take refuge in The Way of The Tau. The Way of The Tau teaches us compassion for ourselves and others through an understanding the Truth of Reality and leads to a path for release from fear and ignorance.

What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow. Our life is the creation of our mind.

Intended action is a dynamic concept. It is not fate or predestination, but a consequence of what has gone before. You are now in circumstances because of your thoughts and decisions, and this is an on-going process.

Full Enlightenment means extinguishing or unbinding, freedom from whatever binds you, from the burning passion of desire, jealousy, and ignorance. Once these are totally overcome, a state of bliss is achieved.

The Way of The Tau is the path must take to join rather than disturb unity of the universe. To find this path, one must first understand the universe and its innate interdependence of all things.

By embracing this quintessential nature of the universe, one can come to some understanding about the meaning of our lives and about our place in the world.

The events that occur in the universe happen without premeditation.

Seed fall onto the ground. If the soil is fertile, and if it receives warmth, light, and water, it may emerge as a seedling, sprout roots which take in nourishment and leaves which will photoshynthesize light and grow into a mature plant. It does all of that. The path to grow into a mature plant, is without instruction. The plant is complete within its own nature.

Many many things, like the plant, merely happen. Nature and the universe is complete without us. We must recognize this fact and begin to participate with nature as a partner in the universal scheme.

The Way of The Tau is to find a path unencumbered by complicated social institutions and intellectual ideas, which will return us to a state of natural grace. This contact with what is innately pure will, in turn, strengthen our spirit, the source of which is our innate nature.

The Way is the way of everything. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. So too, when we embrace our innate nature, actions will be effortless and without struggle. To make one’s life as effortless as how plants grow from seeds and all the wonders of nature, one must simply understand the way the universe works, and then work with that path. Once you understand how the universe works, it works.

One must accept your true nature and learn to accept what is going on around you, then you can more easily follow the path the universe has laid out.

The ways of compassion, moderation, and humility will lead you to a path of great courage, generosity, and leadership. Be patient and gentle and your path will be shown to you.

The world, and everything in it, is in a constant cycle. The cycle consists of coming into your own being, maturing, and eventually, decaying and returning.

Live a natural and simple enough life that you can hear only to the voice in your mind and not the parasites of possessions and other people. Thus you will be able to realize the real truth in the universe. Eliminate that which is unnecessary or artificial in your life, so that you can embrace its great truths.

Learn to follow a course naturally and spontaneously, and be able to avoid artificial and false paths.

Learn enough patience to see beauty in everything around you and in yourself.

Be true to yourself.

Aid those who are extended expressions of your nature.

Connect to the world as you want to be treated.

Connect to those outside your nature with decisive but careful action.

To those unwilling to accept you for your true nature, no action is required; silently let them be themselves as you remain yourself.

Own nothing; be merely a passing custodian of items outside of your nature.

Show compassion for others and honor life.

Mastering others requires strength, but mastering oneself is true power.

When you let go of what you are, you can only then become what you might be.

To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.

The Way of The Tau is to discover the path by which you can live your life effortlessly and naturally, and discover your true nature, knowing that your nature is ever changing and is always the same. Don’t try to resolve the various contradictions in life, instead learn acceptance of your nature.

We are each a blend of many truths. The truth taught in the Way of The Tau is to embrace life in actions that support you as a person. Some people’s practices are more philosophical, and others are more religious in nature; some lucky ones just be and do. The Way of The Tau makes no distinction in applying labels to its nature because to do so would limit a person.

The Tau teaches a person to live in their heart.

Having a set of basic guidelines can be helpful, however guidelines don’t determine how to live; instead, The Way of The Tau teaches that by living you will express your true nature.

Discover a set of practices to aid keeping the mind, body and spirit engaged and strong. Remember practices should support your essence with the activities fitting the needs of the moment. Your life practices will end up being an ever-shifting mix of activities relative to your needs. Martial arts to keep your body strong, yoga to make your body subtle, meditation to clear your mind, and poetry as a lens of examination. All these and more are a shifting practices to support your essence, and in doing each, each helps you to learn more about your and the world.

Smile to be open to possibilities, breathe when needing a break since to breathe is to be at one with yourself. Alternate the two, and your path will become free and clear for an entire lifetime of wonder to explore. Most people think that it is too simple, and cannot embrace this most basic aspect of The Tau practice! Most people need time letting go of expectations.

The Way of The Tau is also a process of healing; take time to heal, don’t rush and hurt yourself more in the rushing. Embrace your body’s processes with patience.

As there are Quinzillions of people, so too are their Quinzillions of paths, every person can teach us something.

People expect, think and act as if the goal of life is perfection, it’s not. Work both at being good at something while also embracing the various little faults in life. Imperfections end up being critical defining characteristics of each of us. The little bits of imperfection we each have are elements of chaos that give each person individuality and distinction! Without our small flaws, we wouldn’t be individuals at all! Accept your life and your true self, flaws and all.

The more you cling to expectations, the less you will become. Live life without expectations and living in the here and now fully is a key to finding the way. However, people need at least a few expectations as it’s part of navigating their story; create only a single expectation at a time for that future experience.

Explore Your Essence. Learn how to trust your intuition. Let go of judgments that hold you back. Remove conflict and anger from your relationships. Be kind to yourself and pace your life to match your essence.

The Way of The Tau is so old, its history cannot be traced through written records. The way of The Tau was transmitted verbally from teachers to student over the generations. The Way of The Tau is a very flexible practice, it is actually a practice of change, and it always changes to meet the needs of the times, evolving to keep pace with modern culture and an individual’s present circumstance. Constant evolution is one reason The Way of The Tau has survived for so long; it always adapts with the time while holding onto a few key concepts to keep its practice true.

When Tauists talk about The Way of The Tau, they are talking about the central aspect of our practice. It’s important to keep in mind, The Way of The Tau is used in many different ways. Every religion has its way. Every person has their way. Every practice has their way. There is a The Way of The Tau for everything. It’s important to always take The Way of The Tau within the context of the statement being made about it, and not in an absolute sense. Information does not exist in isolation, it has consequences and requires context to be understood.

For some the Way of The Tau is a rigid logical complex system of behaviour, whose whole makes for a better functioning system. For others, the Way of The Tau is the freedom of capacity to embrace one’s individuality and true nature. A path is a path, but not everyone on that path will experience it in the same way.

The Tauist knows to leave The Tau as is, to grasp The Tau within the chase of living fully. It’s a wonderful contradiction to embrace, and it does completely full-fill one’s life within that acceptance. For The Tauist, this is all about living and exploring our possibilities, for we each are undefined and of The Tau. Trying to define ourselves just limits one’s nature and what can be done. So The Tauist instead embraces The Tau, to discover and open up all possibilities instead.

Each person is free to draw their conclusions, conclusions will always shift.

Some related topics:

Society is a multi-level self-organising "living" systems

Relationality, with the whole as a system of related parts

Virtue is an organising principle of identity and harmony

Aesthetics favored over absolute or scientific "truth"

nominalist consensus about acceptability

social constructivism

dialectical acceptance of simultaneous multiple realities

non-abstract narrative or context-based knowledge

multivalent, non-linear holistic acceptance of contradiction and paradox