Seeing Wisdom of the Ancient.

Most philosophers will admit that trying to explain the Tao is not an easy feat as it is the most simple and yet very complex teaching that demands a greater sense of understanding the workings of the spiritual inner being.  Most of my Chinese friends here in Malaysia has no clue of what Taoism, just as most of my Buddhist friends has no idea of what Buddhism really is. Elaborate temple complex are erected all over the country attributed to the Taoist practice and much elaborate rituals are performed in the name of Taoism, however when asked to explain the essence of the Taoist principles most will look at you as though you are lost. Chinese spiritual and religious belief is mostly a little of animism and deity worship sprinkled with the worship of ancestors with a dab of Taoism and Buddhism. Having being born and raised among the Chinese and having many Chinese friends I still find it difficult to understand the intricacies of their religious practice except those who declare to being true Buddhist and Christians.

"TAOISM never force anyone to follow exactly the "Standard Way Of Praying". Praying to Deities of different faith are allowed to be placed together and then blend into Your own Culture and pray the way You feel comfortable with.

In Taoism/Buddhism/Hinduism , what matter most is Your Heart, Mind and Soul in Your trust and believe that the deities have the power to protect You and bring Your prosperity and also understand the teachings of the individual Deities".  From Taoist Sorcery (Internet)

There are two main schools within Taoism, usually called "philosophical Taoism" (Tao-chia) and "religious Taoism" (Tao-chaio). The two are not as strongly distinguished as once thought, but philosophical Taoism tends to focus on the philosophical writings of Lao-Tzu, Chuang-Tzu and other early mystics while religious Taoism emphasizes religious rituals aimed at attaining immortality.

There are 20 million Taoists worldwide, most of whom live in China, Taiwan or Southeast Asia. Taoism is also increasingly influential in the West, especially in the fields of alternative medicine and martial arts like Tai Chi. - 

www.religionfacts.com/taoism “Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength;  mastering yourself is true power.”  ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

The Taoist teachings is yet another piece of the puzzle that had helped me through piecing an understanding of who I am just as Buddhism and Islam has been. It has helped me look at myself through yet another perspective with greater clarity and understanding in what the Collective Consciousness truly is as it expresses itself in different forms,

“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” 
― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
“Those who know do not speak. Those who speak do not know.” 
― Lao Tzu, Tao Teh Ching

Thus ends my minor take on the teachings of Lao Tzu the Old Boy of ancient China who let his words at the gate before allowed to leave and swallowed up by the wilderness never to be heard of.