Confucianism & Taoism >> Leah Mattix

What is the human condition?

The human condition according to Confucians is that of social dysfunction and disorder whereas Taoists view it as an imbalance of the yin and yang. These ancient Chinese religious traditions balance each other as Taoism focuses on the relationship between one and nature and Confucianism is based off of rules and teachings. The human condition is caused by imbalanced relationships (if you were to ask a Confucian) or by fighting the flow of Tao (if you were to ask a Taoist). Fighting the flow of Tao can be seen as swimming against the current.

What is the solution to this condition?

The solution to the human condition according to Confucians is to balance relationships and moral duties. Taoism, however, finds the solution to the human condition to be found through alignment of oneself with nature.

How do we move from problem to solution?

To find the solution to the human condition, according to Taoists, you should just go with the flow, literally. Confucians believe that human perfection cannot simply be achieved through ritual or meditation, only through rules, education and values. The best way to move from problem to solution is to simply live and react. When ones feels out of the flow or imbalanced in relationships know that every previous decision has brought you to this point and that any further decision will only bring you closer to balance/flow or further away. Taoism believes that to move to this stage one should meditate and align your chi with Tai-Chi as well as study. Confucianism follows the arts of peace to ease the human condition.

How best to live the solution in our own lives?

The simplest way for me to break down Confucianism and Taoism is to say that they seem to make up their own yin and yang. They fit perfectly together because they are contrasting images. Where Taoism is completely natural and organic, Confucianism is rigid and ruled, pressuring the two to agree to disagree (if you can get religions to do that). Of the religions studied so far, I find Confucianism and Taoism (though I continuously am mispronouncing it in my head) to be the most apropos to my life. I tend to sway between a need for order and a need for nature constantly and it seems as though a one-two-combo of Taoism and Confucianism is near perfect for my lifestyle.

Side note: This is an improper use of chi.