Religion

Tales of Taoist Weirdos

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As my friends and readers are doubtlessly aware, my spiritual practices are deeply influenced by Taoism. From breathing and energy practices, to philosophical advice, there’s a great deal to learn from the huge body of Taoist writings and lore. However, I’d like to discuss the various personalities of Taoist lore and history.

The greater body of Taoism lore and history contains a number of teachers, alchemists, mystics, and evolved human Immortals. Some are learned sages whose idols adorn temples all over the world. Others are acknowledged once in historical records or the credit of an obscure book. Most of them are just a delightful bunch of weirdos.

Gender-bending beloved flute-player Lan Caihe rubs shoulders with with Lü Dongbin, who achieved immortality after a kind of midlife crisis. There’s an alchemist-Prince who ascended to Heaven accompanies by cats and dogs because he spilled an bottle of immortality drugs. Lao-Tzu, creator of the Tao Te Ching, supposedly wrote his book when he just decided screw this and abandoned the corrupt time he lived in. More common tales might include old men with great physical powers, beggars obsessed with the Tao Te Ching, and more.

I adore this about Taoist lore because of how human is all is. A Taoist figure can be both an admirable role model and a cautionary tale separately or at the same time. Great Immortals come from humble beginnings, often learning from serious mistakes, sometimes with the help of more ancient teachers. Drunken poets spout brilliant prose between bouts of boozing in private groves. Even in more worshipful takes, the great figures of Taoism come off as relatable.

This makes Taoist tales and practices associated them more accessible in my opinion. The figures you encounter, historical and mystical, weren’t perfect in life and might even be eccentric in their divine state. If they can become better, if they can achieve peace or Immortality or just be better folks, so can you.

You also don’t feel judged by these diverse group of mystics and magicians. Their tales aren’t ones of moralizing and finger-wagging, but often of helpful figures who’ve “been there.” They’re not there to punish you – well usually, as some of them are willing to cut serious assholes down to size.

Finally, a lot of the tales of various Taoist figures are interesting and many are outright funny. There’s a reason you’ll see them pop in movies, films, television, etc.

The best way to spiritual practice is through being human – and a sense of humor as well.

– Xenofact

The Separation of Religion and Being An A-Hole

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Something I’ve seen said for a while is “if someone argues their religion should be public policy, there’s no reason to debate if they’re actually right about their religion if you’re not part of it.”  Why would you debate theology with someone whose theology you don’t share?  Saying “but your ideas really don’t live up to your religion” ignores the fact that their attempts to claim divine mandate don’t matter as you don’t believe as they do.

I’d like to discuss this for a bit as I believe there is a time to debate someone’s religion when they want to force it on you. It’s just, shall we say, more optional and personal.

So let us say someone argues that their religion should be the law of the land or the basis for laws, and you are not part of their religion.  You also realize their religious interpretation is, shall we say, theologically unsound to a critical degree.  Should you argue with them?

No.  Simply put, you’re not part of their religion so you have no reason to listen to them.  If they want to create public policy, they have to argue values that are more universal and inclusive.  If they can’t, that’s their own damn problem.

Even if you were part of their religion, there’s no reason for them to go force their religion on others.  You don’t have to be an a-hole like them, after all.

So, you can safely ignore these hopeful theocrats without debate.  If they wish to press the issue, then you have someone who, let us put not too fine a point on it, wants to use the power of the state to compel religious belief.  You can safely assume that under the right circumstances, they’d be ready to get very violent toward you and others and should be safe accordingly (or mock them when safe).

However, I would argue that there is a reason to argue theology with such people, albeit an optional one.  It’s a good way to make a point if you think it may help that person.

If one of these aspiring theocrats continues to annoy you and you decide to prove they don’t know their religion, do so.  Challenge them to justify their ideas, and feel free to pick them apart.  Then, after showing their lack of knowledge of their own faith, you can note something.

You have shown that not only are they theocrats, they don’t know what the hell they’re saying.  They not only are aspiring theocrats, but they have also proven you have no reason to trust them on anything.  If they can’t get their religion right, which is supposedly so important to them, how can you trust them on anything else?  Not only do they want to use the power of the state on you, but this person also clearly can’t be trusted on anything as they’re a hypocrite.

Yes, you’re probably being a bit of an a-hole yourself, but in a good way.  Maybe, just maybe you’ll get them to think.

But I don’t think you’re obligated.

– Xenofact

The Gurus That Hate You

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We’re up to our armpits in faux gurus, and a lot of them are selling bullshit.

There are spiritual gurus ready to resell you “religion”  from a culture they have no knowledge of combined with internet memes.  There are political gurus running for office so they can sell you anger in exchange for ruining your country.  Don’t worry if none of the big names are your thing, there’s many opportunists trying to make it big that will sell you what you think you need.

When I hear about the latest guru who turns out to be some twisted a-hole, I wonder what they feel for their followers.  They’re hurting them mentally, financially, and physically – what is going on in their heads?

Looking back on religious and political history, I’ve honestly come to the conclusion a lot of gurus hate their followers.

Examining any of these current or past twisted philosophers and leaders, they inflict a lot of pain on people they supposedly care about.  It doesn’t take much to discover hideous abuse, high-demand control, financial exploitation, and mental assault.  You can’t do this to people you really care about.

A lot of gurus are also transparent as hell.  As I follow news on various gurus, so I know who’s trying to destroy the planet this year, it’s obvious they’re bullshitting.  Watching them re-spin their cosmologies and politics, completely sure they’ll be listened to is telling.  They’re happy just making crap up, and you also don’t do that to people you care about – it shows you know they won’t call you on it.

So why do they hate their followers?  I think there are a few reasons for this.

First, some gurus are just hateful awful people in this for the power.  People shouldn’t be surprised if a bunch of scumbags get into the guru gig; it’s profitable and gives you control.  It attracts nasty people if you’re not very careful – and a lot of people in religion and politics aren’t careful.

Secondly, I think some gurus are very insecure.  I mean you’re busy pitching the same thing everyone else is, and at any moment your previous bullcrap is going to be discovered.  You get brittle, sensitive, insecure, and this can make you mean and angry.  I mean you’re in the spotlight, being watched all the time which probably means you’re going to be just a bit angry all the time.

Finally, I think a lot of gurus look down on their followers or end up looking down on them.  Some people develop contempt for people that obey or listen to them.  The more people obey them, the more they seem them as weak and contemptible, and the more they pile on.  There’s a bully mentality here that will keep pushing until it’s slapped down.

Don’t feel bad about judging the latest political figure who seems culty, or yet another person wit a lot of mystical diagrams explaining 5D Ascention Starseeds.  It’s a good defensive maneuver, because too many of these people seem to be evil or turn pretty evil.

Besides, the people you’ll find are truly trying to help you?  You probably won’t consider them gurus anyway . . .

. . . unless you’ve fallen into the clutches of some hateful person who has your number.

Something to consider. Just in case.