There’s a considerable number of “good” Taoists who have gained recognition for “helping” people. For example, a man named Zhang in China has built a reputation for aiding others through his medical expertise. Living up to the age of 104, he left this world with his name in good standing. Many people see him as a paragon of what a Taoist should be, but this viewpoint is actually quite skewed. Allow me to clarify this using terms that anyone can grasp.

Imagine you’ve enrolled in a martial arts school, perhaps a Karate dojo, with the goal of mastering Karate. But then, people start calling you a commendable martial artist because you’ve also been helping society as a dentist. Do you see the disconnection here? No matter how excellent a dentist you may be, what does that have to do with your martial arts practice? Wearing your Karate gi while treating patients doesn’t suddenly make your dental work an extension of Karate.

Let’s consider a Chinese doctor who embodies the Taoist aesthetic, residing in a temple and dispensing treatments like acupuncture and massage. While these services are certainly valuable, they are no different from what any qualified Chinese doctor might offer. Where, then, does the Taoism come in?

Life affords us only so much time to specialize in particular fields. Devoting oneself to medicine might make you a proficient healer, but it doesn’t necessarily make you a good Taoist. Conversely, being a Taoist doesn’t mandate that you also be a healer.

So, what role does Taoism play in helping people? Unlike a medical institution, Taoism is a religious system deeply rooted in metaphysics and the spiritual realm. We possess unique powers and knowledge to tackle issues that conventional methods can’t address—problems like encountering ghosts, being subject to malevolent magic, or experiencing spiritual attacks. Far from being mere superstitions, these areas of expertise offer critical insights into how the energy of seemingly trivial acts like cursing can affect us. Once we understand the harm such actions can inflict, we can choose to abandon them.

It perplexes me that people often fall for the allure of “doctor-like” Taoists who claim to offer free healing services. But let’s pause and think—how do these individuals sustain their lives without charging fees? In many cases, these are scams with a much grander objective than simply foregoing a fee. Large-scale scams often begin free of charge but eventually extract much more from you than you’d ever anticipate.

Taoism revolves around the concept of yin and yang; a balanced exchange of give and take. When healing does not involve any form of reciprocation, something is fundamentally amiss. Buying into the notion of receiving free Taoist services can be detrimental. You may find yourself entangled in a dysfunctional yin-yang cycle, which could lead to further losses down the line.

The primary objective of Taoism is guiding individuals toward understanding the Tao, not directing them to Chinese medicinal practices or health care systems. So, cleanse your perception and remain vigilant to steer clear of these distractions. Don’t let yourself be hoodwinked by erroneous beliefs.

If you’re keen on learning authentic Taoism and Taoist magic, consider getting ordained through our website. For those who’d prefer starting with a book, “My First Taoism Book” will not disappoint you!