China Ancient History: The Tao Te Ching
The Tao Te Ching, The Book of the Way and Its Virtue, is a basis for Tai Chi and other aspects of things that come to use from China ancient history.
The Tao Te Ching is said to come to us from 600 B.C. and was written by a record keeper of the Chou Dynasty, Lao Zi. There is, however, a great deal of debate about the author and the dates when it was first written
Regardless of when it was written and by whom, there is much that can be learned from this piece of China ancient history.
This book is quite short but it has had a huge impact on Chinese philosophy, Taoism, Buddhism and other Eastern religions. Used for inspiration by all types of people, this is perhaps one of the most frequently translated books of the Chinese language. Each of the 81 chapters is short and expresses poetically ideas and concepts.
If is assumed by many who have read and studied the Tao Te Ching that ancient Chinese history was a time of happiness, purity and communion with nature. It does, however, clearly teach that reduction of a human's ego through studies is the path to enlightenment. Emptiness of heart, or the lack of preconceived notions, is advocated by the Tao Te Ching.
China's ancient history makes it clear that the citizens of this ancient land lived lives quite different than those of modern day people. There was an entirely different philosophy reflected in the lives of the Chinese people of old. For example, the belief that force begets force was quite opposite of today's thoughts that force is the solution to controlling everything around us.
Tai Chi and other practices of China ancient history can lead us to a more peaceful way of living and thought. The body and soul, in most practices from China's history, are viewed as one unified creation. There is a lot modern mankind can learn from the Tao Te Ching about peaceful, fulfilled living.
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