Esoteric or Mystical Taoism is a philosophy that, like Hermeticism, relies on internal chemistry, or alchemy, by utilizing the subtle energies of the body and being in harmony with nature and the cosmos that surrounds us. It is based on “going with the flow” and being malleable to the universal intent and letting it manifest without interference by the individual ego. More specifically, it describes how the human form relates to our reality and encounters transmutation when certain processes are initiated. The Taoists believe in an inner search within the microcosm of man in order to find a higher order of spirituality and in doing so to better understand the universe, or macrocosm, much like the Hermeticists with their famous maxim “as above, so below.” Like esoteric Christianity, Taoism sees mankind as being a miniature reflection of the totality from which we originate. Both religions espouse the physical immortal nature of man.

Unfortunately, the mysteries of the inner circle of Taoism have always had to compete with the rigid philosophy of Confucianism along with its morals and ethics combined with the outer circle of folk Taoism its their practices. Again, just like Christianity and the other religions, the true initiatic system is veiled by rules and regulations of orthodoxy. Confucianism is an unyielding school of thought and is where many Asian, bureaucratic philosophers find their authority.  Along with Zen Buddhism, these schools of thought have influenced much of Asian thinking and culture, creating an environment of artificial moral pretentiousness subjugating the more organic and mystical Tao to the literalists agenda.

Within the inner teachings of Taoism, to follow the path, or way, is to be better connected to the divine and thereby open one’s self to the true will of the cosmos.  Following a natural path harkens back to when shamans found God within nature instead of being separate from it. In today’s age of ever increasing alienation, we project God, or the divine, outside of ourselves, but in reality our divine spark dwells within us at all times. In the Taoist concept of Wei Wu Wei, or action without action, we follow the stream of least resistance and allow our true will to guide us. It’s the everyday distractions and our own inner doubt that impedes the flow of the divine that courses though us.  

nitiation into the Tao is one of many steps toward awareness of not just of ourselves but the workings of the world around us. The Ying-Yang symbol represents the dualistic nature of reality. As a Taoist practitioner, it is helpful to find balance within one’s life while in meditative poise, for the universe will test our resolve and push our endurance.  Finding a healthy balance in our lives is crucial to being in harmony with nature and encouraging the true expression of divine will. When one is in a state of imbalance this only creates chaos in ones life and neurosis to ones mental well being, and when this happens to one member of society it affects us all in one way or another. One way to find balance in one’s life would be the union of opposites. This technique requires that one should experience one extreme in order to better appreciate its opposite; living in profound sorrow for a time, for example, will give a person intense joy when they eventually find it.  Although, it takes a conscious effort to stay in a state of constant bliss, it can be achieved with the reprogramming of our thought processes and with positive thinking.
The lonely path of the esoteric traveler through the wilderness of the collective subconscious is where one finds himself as the artisan of his own existence, ever taking in information, integrating the many ideas, opinions and feelings, bringing forth from within the creative energy that collectively will shape our future. In Asian culture, the Tao is considered to be everything just like Shiva of the Hindu represents the totality of manifestation and the Ain Soph Or of the Kabbalah permeates all of existence. It’s up to the individual to decide what’s true or not and that usually happens during moments of clarity when it just hits you that something one has just read or heard is the unadulterated truth. This realization is what the Gnostics would call gnosis. Through action based on nature, the esotericist lets the Tao flow carrying him along a self-examined life of willful finesse and learned detachment. We are the inheritors of the reality that others have created before us and we can make this life something beautiful if only we take responsibility for our actions and live a more thoughtful, balanced life.

Jonathan McGregor Bethel and David Colin Healy are both writers and researchers.  They are the founders of Omega Point Institute, an online magazine and think tank dedicated to the research and dissemination of information pertaining to esoteric modes of thought and how those modes are solidifying  our collective future.  Whether it is the Technological Singularity, 2012 End Times, or the all encompassing omega point, these two individuals have much to say to clarify our view of the future.  www.omegapoint.org www.JonathanBethel.com