Daoism asserts that all striving for human

achievement is foolish because it does not last and

that life alone is the greatest of all possessions. The
seeking for pomp and glory, which usually causes
disharmony in society, is to be despised. When one
was not struggle to acquire education, wealth, power,
and popularity, one can simply focus on enjoying the
pleasure of being alive . Therefore, life is to be lived as
simply and as quietly as possible, the ideal state
characterized by childlike innocence.
As a result, Daoists do their best to find ways to prolong life
and improve its quality. To enlist the suppport of nature for
longer and healthier lives, exercising and harmony in eating
and drinking are encouraged some even resort to magic.
Instead of being disdained, old age, along with the wisdom,
relative honor and convenience that come with it, is thus
eagerly anticipated in Chinese culture. Old age is preferred
to beauty, because those who have lived long tend to know
more about living well.

Daoism emphasizes harmony with the forces of life and

nature. By living close to nature and studying its ways,
humanity can discover the Dao and learn to remain healthy
and wise. It is futile to try to conquer and improve on
nature.
As such, Daoism scorns artificial interventions that disrupt
the natural flow the universe such as education,
government, ritual, etiquette and other social conventios.
Humans are best when they remain as hey were born.
Education is perceived as a corruption of the innate
goodness of human beings. That government is best that
government least; hence, it is best to have no government.

One central Daoist principle is wuwei [ Hanyu non action

] a lifestyle that emphasizes quietism and pacifism. Wuwei
designates non purposive or non manipulative action, non
interference, taking no artificial action, letting things take
their own course; spontaneous transformation, non
aggressive manipulation. It means unforced action or
unforced living. Human beings are assumed as being in
harmony with the Dao by being their natural, undistorted
selves.
 Another Daoist principle is the law of reversion. Yang
and Yin are bound so closely together that pure yang
and pure yin ultimately reverse. Reversion of forces is a
dynamic law of the Dao, a mysterious property of
interaction between yang and in. as soon as the
extreme is reached, the situation reverts to the
opposite. For example, disorder reverts to order, and
eventually returns to chaos.
The best human being is a human being in harmony with
nature and with the dao. Unlike christianity which regards
humanity as fallen and in need of divine help to be a
good, Daoism considers human beings to be by nature
good.

The problem for humans is when they depart from the

simple, natural way of the universe, which alienates them
from the Dao and from other beings, living and non living,
human and nonhuman. Alienation occurs when one strives
to have dominion over nature, altering the way of the
universe, and establishing contrived human organizations.
Human civilization develops artificial needs and values
foreign to the order of nature, seducing people away
from the Dao, the true source of peace and harmony.

Wuwei or non action is the Daoist formula for a good

life. People can ge into trouble trying to do good. The
best ethical recommendation is to live and let live. The
Wuwei approach to conflict solving can be seen in the
practice of the Taoist martial art Tai Chi Chuan, the
basic idea of which is to wear the opponent out either
by sending his energy back at him or by deflecting it
away, in order to weaken his power, balance, and its
position-for-defense. Never is force opposed with force;
instead, it is overcome with yielding.
To attain the daoist ideal of longetivity, one must
consist a diet rich in green leafy vegetables, herbs,
spices, fungi, and mushroomns. One must lived a
balanced life: work with adequate rest and relaxation,
and sedentary activity alternated with physical activity
that is aerobic, non competitive and meditative. Sexual
activity is considered natural and healthy. The
principle of fengshui, a Chinese metaphysical system
of achieving harmony with the sorrounding
environment, are also used in the sitting and
constructions of homes. One must contemplate nature
in order to internalize the energies of the universe and
live a healthy, lengthy and meaningful life.
The early adherents of Daojia or philosophical
Daoism, being more concerned about the quality of
everyday life, showed little or no interest in deities or
the after life and seem to have had no rituals for
worship. Except for secretarian Daoism, rituals are not
needed. However, charms, formulas and psychoactive
substances continue to be part of folk daoism. Many
Daoists also find the symbol of the dao, the Yinyang,
helpful.