Lao Tzu, A Teacher of the Way. A Thought on Peace.

Lao Tzu, meaning wise old man, is one of the founding fathers of Taoism and the author of the Tao te Ching. There is much speculation about the origins of Lao Tzu, whether he was a real person, or possibly a group of people, but we do know that the wisdom that is represented by Lao Tzu came from 6th Century BC China. Taoism is an eastern philosophical system that finds its roots in a combination of Zen Buddhism and Confucianism.

Lao Tzu taught it is best to live in alignment with nature to prosper. This great nature is referred to as the Tao or the mystical force of the Universe. Peace is seen as the baseline of what it means to be, from it all arises and returns, outlasting the storms along the way.

"Peace is meant to be our natural state,

A whirlwind never outlasts the morning,

nor a violent rain the day.

Just as earth and sky return to peace,

so should we.

They who act with violence become violent.

They who act with virtue become virtuous.

They who act in the spirit of the Tao become Tao-like.

They who follow the Tao, the Tao will guide.

They who pursue virtue, virtue will reward.

They who live by violence, violence will soon destroy. "

Tao te Ching, page 23, Ancient Renewal Publishing.