Lao Tzu Essay -- essays research papers

Born in the Chinese province of Henan, Lao Tzu lived from c. 604-c.531 BCE.He was a philosopher attributed with the writing of the Tao-Te-Ching and the reputed founder of Taoism. ("Tao" meaning the way of whole life, "Te" meaning the fit use of life by every men, and "Ching" meaning text.) Lao Tzu was not his real name but sort of an honorary title given to him by his followers meaning " superannuated Master".      Lao Tzu believed that human life is constantly influenced by outmost forces not unlike everything else in the universe. He knew that simplicity was key to wholly truth and freedom. He always encouraged those who followed him to observe and to seek to run into the laws of nature. Lao Tzu believed that one should develop intuition and build up private power, which would then be used to lead life with love sans force.      As he often contemplated the inherent world, Lao Tzu felt that it was man and his deportment that created an affliction on the otherwise flawless order of things. Thus he counseled his followers to turn away from the silliness of human pursuits and to return to their indwelling wellspring.     Lao Tzu taught that straining and striving are not only unimportant but also counterproductive. One should venture to do nothing in the sense of discerning and following the natural forces to follow and shape the natural flow of events. All this is known as the Taois...