Bennebel Wen studies the history and philosophy of Taoism, a Chinese tradition including beliefs and practices like spirituality, martial arts, and internal medicine.
Tao translates to “the Path” or “the Way” and is the connection between polarities and the source of all change. Taoism started during the Zhou dynasty and is found in ancient texts like the Book of Songs and the Book of Changes. Taoism should be thought of as a decolonized tradition that studies the interplay of dynamic energies, Yin and Yang. The practice traces back to indigenous traditions, which involve communing with spirit entities through purposeful rites and rituals. It is the study of cultivation methods for achieving immortality or spiritual transcendence, subdivided into Inner Alchemy and Outer Alchemy.
Taoism promotes the idea that Heaven and Earth provide resources to support positive social order and action. This belief led to the development of the political doctrines of Lì Mín and the Huang Lao doctrine. Taoism is a mix of different religious and philosophical traditions. The early origins of Taoist beliefs involved the worship of the supreme god Dao De Tian Zun during the Eastern Han dynasty. The syncretic nature of Taoism allowed for blending different traditions with the objective of studying it for personal growth and enrichment.