Tao

Although I have been a Quaker and attended regularly meetings for twenty-five years and when as a teenager , I studied the scriptures and attended an Anglian church, I have always been uncomfortable with Christianity as my religious base.

About Ten years ago, I studied Buddhism and meditated with Buddhist monks, I learnt a lot about meditation but still did not find a fit with my own beliefs.

I began to voice my own definition of what I thought of as God. Which was an essence in the Universe or a creative force in the universe which was also within all living organisms including man/womankind.

I also studied as a Quaker healer and had very real experiences of channeling the Spirit. I have given and received healing. I also hold Jesus and his tteachings in very high regard.

Last week I was introduced to Zen calligraphy and for the following few days  I practiced making marks of Chinese letters using this method.

On Sunday I picked up a book from Wellington Quaker Meeting library on Tao.

Imagine my surprise when I found that my definition of God was formulated by the Chinese in the 6th century BC and they called it Tao.

I feel that I have made an important step in my spiritual journey. I have a sense that I am not extraordinarily different and that there are other people that  have had this philosophy for many hundreds of years. But I feel that also one should respect one's own culture and not try to chase moonbeams in other people's culture.

If anyone practices Taoism or Tao meditation I would love you to comment. I am now on a new turning in my path and would like to make the right steps.