Xaos - Chaos Magick

This question by @ChaosMagick got me thinking. Of course, the Tao being what it is (and therefore isn’t) the only real answer would have to be a combined yes and no. Or that there is no answer. In fact as with most things Tao, the answer is a paradox. But for the sake of discussion, and my sanity, I will simply answer no, and attempt to defend that answer herein.

I have two reason for thinking it’s not possible to become trapped in a dark side of Tao. My first is because the very nature of the Tao doesn’t separate light and dark in a way that would make it possible to become trapped in either. My second reason is that if one were to be ‘trapped’ then one wouldn’t be in the Tao at all.

“The Tao is the One. From the One come yin and yang…”

Within Tao, light and dark are as one. Although they distinguish from one another, they do not oppose, but balance. One cannot be trapped within dark, when dark is always balanced by, and becomes, light.

“The Tao moves by returning. In endless cycles…”

If we also consider that Tao is cyclical in nature, and that light replaces dark and dark replaces light, then it’s not possible to become trapped in either. The Tao never stops, it’s never rigid. The Tao continues to flow on a continuous and circular journey. One cannot be trapped if one flows with the Tao.

So, the two polarities of light and dark are balanced and cyclical; they are harmonious with each other. As with everything else, it is the yielding, the going with the flow, that takes one where one wants to be. If one wishes to escape dark, one must only yield to the darkness, and thereby become light.

If you’re trapped, you’re no longer within the Tao

If one is trapped, then one is fighting too hard to escape and has therefore lost the way with Tao. They are ‘outside’ of the Tao. The very nature of the Tao is in not doing, not acting, not being (and thereby being, acting and doing everything).

People become trapped when they do, which is not Tao. Think of someone who can’t swim and is dropped into a deep pool of water. If they fight and struggle they will become trapped in their fear and inability to swim and will almost certainly drown. But if they relax and give themselves to the water, if they just do nothing, then the water will lift them and they will float to the surface.

And so it is, in my opinion, with Tao. If one feels trapped in the dark, then it’s because one is trying too hard to escape, and is no longer within the Tao. If one stops fighting, stops struggling, does nothing, they will find themselves back in the light.

Siafanar