Slander and Taoism

This is part of a series I am doing on how various religions view slander and gossip. It is just not a "Christian" thing, and it is the point that is destroying us.

Taoism is a path made of many human methods for living in harmony with the Tao — the natural flow of life. It is a collection of human methods by humans for humans. It began with early Chinese wisdom and grew across dynasties like the Zhou, Han, and Tang. Taoism includes meditation, rituals, inner alchemy, a deep respect for nature, the quest for truth, the refinement of humanity, and the acquisition of spiritual power. It is not based on one book or prophet but is a living tradition that changes with time.

Introduction to Taoism

Taoism is one of the world’s oldest spiritual traditions, but it doesn’t always look like a religion. It doesn’t ask you to worship a god or believe in a fixed story. Instead, Taoism offers ways — or methods — for living in balance with the world around you. These methods were discovered, tested, and passed on by people walking a spiritual path. They form a living tradition.

Taoism is not one single thing. It has quiet thinkers and powerful rituals. It has ancient texts and secret oral teachings. It has monks, farmers, warriors, artists, and healers — all finding different ways to follow the Tao, the great Way of the universe.

The Tao Zang and the Oral Tradition

Taoist teachings are stored in a massive library called the Tao Zang (or Daozang) — the Taoist Canon. It holds over 1,400 texts written across centuries and is often referred to as the Taoist Bible. Included in these writings are the following:

1. Quiet guides for meditation
2. Complex rituals for protecting a village
3. Recipes for healing and extending life
4. Maps of the spirit world
5. Songs, prayers, and stories
6. But not all Taoist knowledge is written down...

Much of it is passed by oral tradition — teacher to student, through posture, breath, silence, and presence. A master might give a student one practice to work on for years before saying another word. This is how Taoism stays alive: not by memorizing, but by living it.

These human methods — gathered through effort, refined through experience — make Taoism a changing but connected stream. It grows through what works, not through what must be believed.

Unity in Diversity: What Taoists Tend to Share

With all its paths, you might wonder ... what do Taoists think?

1. Wu wei – acting without forcing. Letting things unfold naturally.
2. Qi – life energy. Taoist practice often includes breathing, movement, and awareness of energy.
3. Harmony with nature – Taoists see mountains, rivers, trees, and seasons as teachers.
4. Simplicity – less clutter, fewer words, more space.
5. Meditation and stillness – sitting quietly to sense the Tao.
6. Non-dogma – Taoism doesn’t insist you believe anything. It invites you to observe, try, and grow.

There’s no one way to be a Taoist. Some chant. Some meditate. Some cook in silence. Some practice martial arts. Some serve the community. Some walk alone in the woods. The Way is wide enough for all of them.

Taoism Views on Slander and Gossip

Taoism generally discourages gossip and slander, emphasizing harmony, naturalness, and avoiding actions that disrupt the flow of the Tao. It views gossip and slander as harmful behaviors that create disharmony, both within the individual and within the community. They are seen as actions that stem from a lack of understanding of the Tao and a focus on superficial appearances rather than the underlying truth.

Disruption of Harmony

Taoism stresses living in accordance with the Tao, the natural order of the universe, which promotes harmony and balance. Gossip and slander disrupt this harmony by creating conflict, negativity, and disharmony within individuals and communities.

Lack of Understanding

Taoism suggests that those who engage in gossip and slander often lack a deep understanding of the Tao and the interconnectedness of all things. They may be overly focused on external appearances and fleeting events rather than the underlying truth and the natural flow of life.

Focus on Superficiality

Taoism encourages a focus on inner virtue and naturalness, rather than on outward appearances or social status. Engaging in gossip and slander often involves judging others based on superficial information and appearances, which is seen as a distraction from cultivating true virtue and understanding.

Negative Impact on the Individual

Taoism teaches that negative actions, like gossip and slander, ultimately harm the individual who engages in them. They create negative karma and contribute to a state of disharmony within the individual's own being.

Emphasis on Naturalness and Non-Interference

Taoism emphasizes the importance of non-interference and allowing things to unfold naturally. Engaging in gossip and slander is seen as an attempt to control or manipulate situations, which goes against the Taoist principle of Wu Wei (effortless action).

Cultivating Virtue

Instead of engaging in gossip and slander, Taoism encourages the cultivation of virtue, such as compassion, humility, and respect for others. These virtues are seen as essential for living in harmony with the Tao and creating a positive and harmonious environment. "