The Advanced Teachings of Taoism Course
Six Live Zoom Classes | Every Saturday from July 13 – August 17
Taoism, the most bastardized spiritual tradition and philosophy in the world, has fallen victim to misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and misinformation due to incorrect translations of the Tao Te Ching and Chuang-tzu texts. These flawed translations have stripped the original meanings, catering instead to a predominant Western audience with specific cultural sensibilities. However, these translations are inaccurate and distort the authentic meaning and intent of the sacred Taoist texts. Misinformation is eroding the essence of the Taoist tradition, creating an urgent need for clarity regarding what Taoism truly represents and what it means to be Taoist.
The Advanced Teachings of Taoism Course is a comprehensive exploration and restoration of Taoism. Rooted in the philosophy of nature, Taoism is demystified in this course, revealing the genuine essence of living in harmony with the natural way, the Tao.
Class 1: Modules 1 and 2
Module 1: Reclaiming Taoism
Explore Taoism from the ancient Chinese traditional perspective based on the two source texts, the Tao Te Ching and the Chuang-tzu. I will explain why classical Taoism is actually a lot different from how a lot of people think about Taoism today.
Module 2: The Metaphysical Framework of Taoism
For the first time ever recorded, I will explain the metaphysical framework, all the way from the undifferentiated reality to the manifest world. I go into how that universal unfolding is reflected in our very being, making the human being a reflection of the entire universe.
Class 2: Modules 3 and 4
Module 3: Taoism’s Critique of Confucianism and Socialization
We will explore how Taoism was actually a critique of Confucianism throughout the Warring States period of China. In doing so, I will dispel a lot of the false views around Confucius and Confucianism. I will explain why Taoism is the real natural system, which goes deep into its critique of how Confucius had this strange belief that by following his rules and regulations, that is what made us natural again.
Module 4: The Dissolution of Identity
Taoism’s ultimate aim is the dissolution of identity so that the undifferentiated Tao can make use of an individual. This is never spoken about in pop-Taoism for some reason, but from an ancient traditional perspective, Taoism is very similar to other nondual traditions throughout Asia. Though Taoism does differ slightly from the strict nondual traditions, it has a more holistic, integral teaching. I will explain in this module Taoism’s integral nondual approach.
Class 3: Modules 5 and 6
Module 5: The Immorality of Morality
I will explain the illusion of morality based on the teachings of Chuang-tzu and, as a result, why Taoism is an amoral tradition centered on nature and not governed by man-made morals. No one ever explores the amoral perspective of Taoism because most people don’t know about it or are afraid to speak about it candidly in the face of our moral systems. In understanding the amorality of Taoism in this course, you will have a roadmap to go beyond the illusions of good and evil to come closer to an understanding of true oneness, which is the goal of Taoism.
Module 6: The Politically Incorrect Nature of Taoism
This module covers the politically incorrect nature of Taoism and why a society stricken with political correctness is unnatural. I will explain some of the deepest, yet misunderstood stories from the Chuang-tzu text so that you can understand the natural amoral perspective of Taoism. I explain that Chuang-tzu himself had to also deal with the politically correct nonsense of Confucianism, as we do too in the modern world. As a result, I will use the teachings of Chuang-tzu to critique the modern politically correct attitude that is infecting innocent people’s minds in the present day.
Class 4: Modules 7 and 8
Module 7: Beyond Good and Evil
We will explore why Taoism believes our human nature is fundamentally good. In doing so, I will destroy the commonly held assumption that we are beasts from birth. I will explain this by using Taoism to analyze Confucianism, the Abrahamic faiths, and other Western traditions that believe we are beasts from birth.
Module 8: The Simple World vs. The Complex World
Moving constantly into a complex world is something Lao-tzu and Chuang-tzu warned us about. They knew if we fell for the artificial linguistic conventions and cultural frameworks, it would be hard to wrestle our awareness from these tools of partiality so that we could see the world as it truly is. I will explain in this module the subtle battle between the natural, simple world and the evolving, complex world. We will explore Lao-tzu’s teaching of the two desires and Chuang’s great undoing so that we can attune to the Tao.
Class 5: Modules 9 and 10
Module 9: The Art of Doing Nothing
The essential Taoist teaching of wu-wei can be a confusing concept for those who are addicted to doing. Modern teachers and students of Taoism are also puzzled by wu-wei, as we discover through many people adapting it to their own sensibilities. We need to understand wu-wei as it is. I will explain the different translations of wu-wei and how in essence all interpretations lead to nondoing.
Module 10: The Spontaneous Reality
The real world of the Tao is a spontaneous reality. The sage lives in this spontaneous reality. I will explain the nature of this spontaneous reality by delving into the Taoist concept of tzu-jan (naturalness), the illusion of thinking, mind seeking, and the hidden teaching of what thoughts would be without language. I will expand this knowledge through an exploration into the concept of the unsupported thought and how the unconscious linkage of thoughts create the identity.
Class 6: Modules 11 and 12
Module 11: Free and Easy Wandering in Oneness
I explain the ultimate teaching after wu-wei, xiaoyao you (free and easy wandering in oneness). Xiaoyao you has been mentioned in the past but never in its truest context. It is the final teaching on the Taoist path, and the spiritual path in general from Chuang-tzu’s perspective. This teaching is related to what Taoists call the Zhenren (genuine person/enlightened sage). I will explain why Zhenren is related to free and easy wandering through stories from the Chuang-tzu that mine the deepest revelations throughout all of Eastern thought.
Module 12: Concluding Thoughts and Q&A
We will finish the course by having a discussion on everything we have learned in the past six weeks.
Price and Schedule
Cost is $200 USD. Classes will be held at 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM US Eastern time. A Zoom invitation with password will be sent Thursday prior to each weekend. If you cannot attend a class, a video recording of the class will be sent to your email address.
To secure your spot, please make payment in full with your name and email address to the following link.
Course registration is valid until July 10, 2024.
Refund Policy
After July 10, 2024, payment is nonrefundable. This refund policy is in place because from July 10, 2024 all of the course material will have been set for the expected number of attendees. There will be no refund after July 10 as a result.
Arrival at Chennai International Airport. A representative of the tour team will welcome guests at the Chennai Airport and transport them to the hotel. After the check-in process at the hotel, guests will have time to rest and recuperate before a day of exploring Chennai the following day. Overnight stay at the hotel in Chennai.
Exploring Chennai. Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is one of the most famous cities in India for the arts and spirituality. Chennai was an essential part of the evolution and revitalization of Vedanta into global consciousness. The great Swami Vivekananda realized this city’s importance within India and, as a consequence, established one of the most famous Ramakrishna Math Temples in the world. Alongside the revitalization of Vedanta in Chennai, in the late 1800’s, Madame Blavatsky and others established the Theosophical Society on the banks of the Adyar River in the south of Chennai. To this day, Adyar is still the headquarters of the Theosophical Society worldwide. Chennai is also famous for some of the most breathtaking temples in India, with unique Dravidian architecture. One such temple is the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, a temple dedicated to Shiva.
Arrival at Chennai International Airport. A representative of the tour team will welcome guests at the Chennai Airport and transport them to the hotel. After the check-in process at the hotel, guests will have time to rest and briefly explore Chennai. Overnight stay at the hotel in Chennai.
“I have spent several years in India and the experience has changed the entire course of my life. I continue to go back and visit every year, especially the Tamil Nadu and Bihar states as they include the two places in the world that I believe everybody should visit, Tiruvannamalai and Bodh Gaya, and we will be visiting both places on this tour.
Bodh Gaya is considered one of the most sacred places on the planet. It is famously known as the place where Gautama the Buddha reached enlightenment under what became known as the Bodhi Tree. Over millennia temples and monasteries have been built around the famous Bodhi Tree. The Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree reside on the same site and is one of the most powerful places one could visit. It is a holy place for Buddhists, Hindus, and people who are not affiliated with no religion but class themselves as spiritual.
Pondicherry is an old French state of India. It is a beautiful contrast where East meets West. This unique mix of French with Indian thought has led to one of the most culturally diverse states in India which is visable through its architecture and the unification of European ecology with Indian spirituality. This state was home to the 20th century sage Sri Aurobindo and Ponicherry is where he met Mirra Alfassa (also known as “the Mother”), a French woman who was significant in helping Aurobindo’s vision of the unification of a spirituality in harmony with the planet. This vision of the Mother and Aurobindo manifested as the first universal city Auroville just outside Pondicherry. This is where the principles they envisioned for humanity can be recognized. Auroville was founded by the Mother in 1968.
Travelling to Tiruvannamalai. Tiruvannmalai is considered one of the most sacred places on Earth. This city has the ability to transform your life. It is known as the City of Enlightenment for that very reason. It has been the home to sages, sadhus, and yogis for thousands of years. Tiruvannamalai is home to the holy mountain Arunachala which is thought of to be an incarnation of Shiva. Arunachala is what drew the 20th century sage Sri Ramana Maharshi to this little Indian town, where he remained silent for 7 years up on the holy mountain in meditation. During his life at the foot of Arunachala disciples were attracted to his immense presence and an ashram was built around him, the famous Sri Ramana Asramam. It was here that Paul Brunton had his famous encounter with the Maharshi and consequently led to his international bestseller In Search of Secret India. The ancient Hindu culture has never left this place, where you find sadhus descend on Tiruvannamalai every day renouncing the world to be at the foot of Arunachala and to also spend time in meditation at the Arunachaleswarar Temple (Temple of Shiva).
