from another thread, but relevant here!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KC Elbows
Taoism as a continuation of earlier Chinese religious practices, complete with taoist immortals and all the religious aspects of those earlier traditions exists.
Taoism as a philosphical practice that, while extolling the virtues of long life, does not accept immortals and religious elements into the practice, also exists.
The version of the Zhuangzi that exists today was edited by a philosophical taoist by removing later additions that were mystical in nature, but were never part of the original.
The author of the inner chapters of the zhuangzi, as well as a great number of other works of philosophical taoism, openly laugh at seeking mystical longevity and similar things.
There is not one taoism, but the two main branches are mystical and philosophical, respectively, and the latter does not extoll supernatural ideals, but holds them as being exactly the opposite of the philosophy of taoism, denying the way that life leads to death is merely fear of a thing that is natural to all life, and missing the value of that thing.
http://kungfumagazine.com/forum/show...&postcount=141