Finding the True Real Taoism that works for you.
Even though Taoism originated from China, yet there are so many sect and lineage of Taoism today. Every sect claim their sect/lineage to be the most authentic and best system, just like any soy sauce seller.
In majority, I try to classify these Taoist groups according to the 'topics of debating points';
1. Lineage:
There are two groups in this categories, who debate each other.
One group claimed that having 'authentic lineage' from Taoist Master is everything.
The other group defend themselves by stating “don't care” because if people like it so what.
2. Orthodox vs. Ascetic:
Ascetic groups are the Taoist master who cultivate and learned the Tao in the mountain/cave. Orthodox groups are the Taoist Master who learn from Taoist school.
3. Celibate vs. 'taoist sex':
Celibate group are the Taoist practitioner who seek immortality through prayers and no sex. 'taoist sex' group are the Taoist practitioner who try to simulate 'blissful feeling of orgasm' as the feeling of being 'union' with God through the methods of having sex without ejaculation.
4. Taoist vs. Atheist:
Atheist groups are the 'taoist group wannabe' who take out all the spiritual aspect (God and Goddess, ritual, ceremony, etc) of Taoism and just read some Taoist philosophy book (such as Tao Te Ching) then claimed themselves to be 'taoist'. Taoist groups are Taoist practitioners who practice and cultivate Taoism spiritually and not just reading the taoist philosophy book.
From Tai Qing Dao perspective;
1. Lineage is very important, but it is not everything. Having a clear lineage can bring clarification and understanding the 'origin' of specific Taoist system. Having a proper lineage from a Taoist master indicate:
a. Practitioner have been formally accepted as formal disciple.
b. Practitioner have been INITIATED.
c. Practitioner have received PROPER LINEAGE TRANSMISSION.
Therefore, In Tai Qing Dao sect, once the disciple have been 'initiated' and receive 'lineage transmission', they have the right to learn and ‘the in-door secret’ teaching. Once again, there's no cost to study Tai Qing Dao sect !
Finding a Taoist master who have proper lineage transmission is very important, because there are so many imposters, scams, frauds, false teacher and commercial teacher.
2. Ascetic Taoist system is not efficient and fit to today 20th century.
Besides, Taoist God and Goddess don't live inside the cave in the mountain.
Why seek God inside the cave/mountain for ? Unless there is no Taoist master can be found for one area, then practicing ascetic Taoist is the last option to go.
Orthodox Taoist system is a fixed methods that was created by 'later master' that is kept in one sect and passed down from generation to generation. But there are two kinds of source of 'fixed methods'. One originated from a Master in the past who learn it from a fixed theory such as ancient books, The other one originated from a Master in the past who learn it directly from God and Goddess and received a 'Pure Taoist' teaching including on 'how to transmit it to the next generations'.
· In Tai Qing Dao sect, we belong to the Orthodox system where the Taoist teaching are already available so there's no need to 'seek' the teaching in the cave/mountain.
· As an orthodox system, The teaching originated from The master in the past who created a methods of communicate with God. The advantage is that God and Goddess are immortal who were once a humans too, since they've achieved Tao and become immortal, they already have so much knowledge and their skill is far more advanced than any normal humans in present day.
· The different between learning from God and Goddess and learning from a 'fix methods' is that fixed methods might only works for some people, some don't. Fixed methods can't include all the essentials of Tao. As quoted in Tao Te Ching book, chapter 1 verse 1; “Dao Ge Dao Fei Chang Dao, Ming Ge Ming Fei Chang Ming” which means Tao which can be written or explained or named IS NOT THE TRUE TAO.
Therefore, learning from specific methods from books or system will not receive the “TAO”. If you want to learn “TAO” as describe in Tao Te Ching, you must receive it directly from Gods and Immortals which require initiation and lineage transmission.
3. Both Celibate and taoist sex practice are a 'fixed methods'. If you can communicate with God and Goddess directly, they will guide and teach you, just like a physical teacher, the True real Tao. Since God and Goddess is in union with Tao, therefore, their teaching should be all natural, go with the flow but not 'drained' in the 'current'. Having certain 'no sex' practice is not natural and not good for your body. Having too much sex is also not good because you can not preserve your energy. God and Goddess knows the Best for every single individual, they will give you 'tailored' True Taoist teaching that fits you, your body, mind and your life.
4. Reading some Taoist philosophy book such as Tao Te Ching give you some 'insight' look of the understanding of Taoist Philosophy. Mastering these philosophy will make you become a professor of philosophy. Taoism doesn't require you to be a professor.
Instead, it require you to actually experience it and cultivate it in reality, not just in theory. Since there many spiritual practice in Taoist teaching, Studying Taoism includes practice it spiritually.
Reading only the Buddhist sutras without practice it spiritually doesn't make yourself a Buddhist.
Reading only the Hindu Vedas without practice it spiritually doesn't make yourself a Hindhu.
Reading only the Christian bible without practice it spiritually doesn't make yourself a Christian.
Taoism have temples, immortals, God and Goddess, The Supreme Ones, rituals, ceremonies, and other spiritual things. Just accepting the teaching from Taoist philosophy book and rejecting/denying Taoist Gods/Goddess, immortal, rituals and other spiritual practice DOES NOT MAKE YOU A TAOIST, BUT AN ATHEIST !