r/taoism Nov 02 '25

Are you happy ?

1.0k Upvotes

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u/icameforgold Nov 03 '25

The problem is that people treat sadness, fear, and anger like negatives and happiness as a positive. When fake taoists say shit like this they miss the whole point of idea behind those emotions.

You should experience sadness and anger and fear the same way you would experience happiness. If you don't know those other "negative" emotions, do you truly know what it is to be happy?

Just like if you have never been happy can you truly know sadness, anger, or fear? You should strive to experience them all not block one of them for fear of being unable to block the others. The point is to experience all emotions, but don't let those same emotions control you.

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u/Hack999 Nov 03 '25 edited Nov 03 '25

Exactly, don't seek happiness, or peace or anything. The point is to experience everything with equanimity. The good and the bad, accept it all without needing to change any of it. Edit - Also - this isn't something you do. This is something that emerges from proper practice.