Contemporary Taoism is not a religion and is not an extension of the Chinese traditions and practices associated with traditional Taoism. It is a philosophy, a cosmology, a way of life and a spiritual practice that arises from Lao Tsu’s text the Tao te Ching, a work over 2,400 years old. Contemporary Taoism focuses on applying the perspectives and practices in that book to the problems we face and will be facing in the future. Climate change, political unrest, the lack of social justice, and the upcoming catastrophes engendered by greed, fear and runaway Capitalism require that humanity matures as soon as possible. Contemporary Taoism offers one path, albeit a narrow one, towards the greater wisdom, compassion and co-operation that will be required to face these oncoming problems.
