The realms of western scientific thinking and the Taoist perspective, steeped in the spiritual wisdom of the East, often find themselves at odds. This is not necessarily due to inherent incompatibility but is primarily the outcome of our unwillingness to accept different systems of knowledge. However, it is imperative to understand that the path to enlightenment in Taoism cannot be lit by the torch of scientific understanding alone.
The Allure of the West: Frequencies, Waves and ‘Scientific Spirituality’
In recent years, there has been an upsurge in the fascination with exploring spiritual experiences through the lens of science. For example, we see individuals trying to investigate the potential spiritual effects of certain sound frequencies or the purported ‘energies’ emanating from plants and mushrooms. The goal, seemingly, is to tune into these frequencies or absorb these energies to achieve enlightenment.
Such concepts have gained considerable traction, resulting in the birth of pseudo-spiritual schools of thought that are virtually hailed as new religions. This gravitation towards ‘scientific spirituality’ is largely driven by curiosity and an insatiable thirst for novelty. In a similar vein, some have mistaken the human bio-magnetic field for ‘chi,’ the energy spoken of in Chi Kung, thereby fostering a host of misconceptions.
The Impact on Chinese Taoism: A Forced Union of Incompatibles
This trend of conflating science with spiritual wisdom has not left the homeland of Taoism, China, untouched. Owing to governmental pressures, Taoists are urged to infuse scientific reasoning into their teachings, resulting in a jarring fusion that comes off as rather incoherent. This has led to an influx of misconstrued teachings and theories about Chinese medicine and Chi Kung in the West.
As a Taoist master, I find it necessary to debunk these misleading notions.
The Limitations of Science: A Perspective from the East
At its core, Taoism posits that our soul energy precedes our physical existence. Essentially, it exists in a dimension born before the realm of physical matter. Our scientific methods, however sophisticated, cannot penetrate this dimension. They can only measure or detect phenomena that have already manifested in our physical realm, much like analyzing the aftermath of a bullet being fired without knowing the shooter’s intentions.
Hence, our bio-magnetic field, detectable and measurable in this physical realm, is not the ‘chi.’ Nor can our physical bodies or tools touch or measure anything from the pre-heaven (earlier-born) dimension. While science is invaluable in its domain, it is not equipped to deal with ‘chi,’ magic powers, or spirits.
The Taoist Way: Simplicity and Purity
The Taoist way is simple: learn from the Tao and refrain from adulterating its teachings with scientific explanations. Attempts to blend these vastly different perspectives often lead to erroneous interpretations and distorted practices.
There have been instances where highly educated individuals have found themselves overwhelmed while trying to comprehend Buddhism through their academic lens. Their curiosity, instead of leading them to enlightenment, drew in negative influences, leaving them mentally disturbed. This serves as a poignant reminder of the pitfalls of an overly analytical approach to spiritual wisdom.
A monk on Tiktok said “The Buddha did not teach us about frequencies or energy fields”; Taoism doesn’t either. Our path doesn’t require scientific justification or proof.
Ordination: The Key to Deep Understanding
For those wishing to delve into the depths of Taoism, it is not through the trappings of scientific validation that you will find enlightenment. Rather, the path lies in learning from ordained masters, who can guide you through the teachings and practices without the need to bend them to align with science.
A Word of Caution: Avoiding the Pitfalls
While curiosity is a virtue, it must be guided and tempered with humility. Avoid the lure of novelty for its own sake, especially when it comes to matters of the soul. The desire to sense and analyze everything can become a dangerous distraction, drawing in negative forces that can cause more harm than good.
As disciples on this spiritual path, we must learn to respect the boundaries between different systems of knowledge. Let the teachings of Taoism unfold in their own time and manner, free from the constraints of scientific validation. It is in this purity of learning that the path to true enlightenment lies. Begin your journey today, get ordained and start learning – from home.