reasons...

[taoistlocks]

Hello!
I have recently been considering a freeform journey as a way of both contemplating and practicing the Taoist principle of 'wu wei'. Which means nonaction (effortless action, natural action, acting without action, etc.)

I am wondering if anyone here knows or has heard of someone allowing dreads to form as a strictly Taoist practice? It seems to me that it could be a common practice for taoists since it takes years for locks to fully form without (significant)willfull intervention all the while one's shaggy apperance teaches one humility and allows one to observe an extremely personal (your head/hair is unique) natural process. Not to mention the above mentioned principle of wu wei.

Your thoughts and experiences are greatly appriciated!!

[taoistlocks]

I should also mention that I've managed not to find very much written about the subject on the internet...

[Dreadlocktruth]

Hey taoistlocks.

I don't recall us having any members who've mentioned this before but I'm not really sure what the difference is between having that as an intention and simply going for freeform anyway, as it seems a similar attitude is needed for both (and a lot of people here view their dread journey as something akin to spiritual). What are your thoughts on this?

[taoistlocks]

Seems like intention and focus are the important differences here. The intent is to observe action and reflect on how that action follows the universal way (tao). And the focus is on practicing wu wei, which may or may not lead to the formation of dreads if brushing/cutting(yikes!) becomes the most natural action in any given situation.

If one begins a freeform journey with the goal of forming dreads one isn't necessarily practicing wu wei since the intention is to overcome the hardships one is expected to encounter by exerting ones will (fighting force with force which is contrary to the emphasis on yeilding).

[jxbx]

Apr 17, 2016 3:24:10 GMT taoistlocks said:

I am wondering if anyone here knows or has heard of someone allowing dreads to form as a strictly Taoist practice?

Interesting...I can see how it can be applied up until ya need to separate and wash. Since even the Taoist top-knot needs to be washed, we can eliminate that for the sake of discussion. That still leaves us with the separation of dreads, that is, unless we want one big matted-hair dread? Which may be where complete 'wu wei' would get us.

I can see where one could learn the aspects of 'wu wei' with a dreadlock hairstyle.  Less combing on a daily basis than there would be for, say, a bouffant hairdo! Although, I think a shaved head would require even less action and effort after the initial and subsequent shaves. From experience, dreads are far more of a pain in the ass than a shaved head.

Lastly, I think the practice of 'wu wei' may be better attained through playing music, running, or practicing some form of Tai Chi.

[rkymtnjoy]

Hi taoistlocks! Dreadlocks seem to come with personal meaning for all of us. Some people get overly attached, for others they are truly a form of non-attachment. They just have always felt natural to me. Practicing wu wei through your locs would truly make them your own and be a unique journey!

It sounds like you feel pulled toward the concept of dreads, so I say go for it. I would recommend light sectioning or separating as you go, otherwise just enjoy the ride. (You will learn a lot.)

[taoistlocks]

Thank you Jxbx for your thoughts. I've never maintained a shaved head however, I have been required to maintain a short-haired standard and it required significant effort.
I feel that merely separating sections requires far less effort than brushing everyday. And it seems like maintaining a shave requires more than maintaining dreads, since shaving requires specialized tools.
I don't really know but this is how it seems to me.


Thanks rkymtnjoy.
Naturalness is the goal here.

[jxbx]

Yeah...if I'm not in full dreads I'm in shaved head mode...unless I'm in the middle of growing another set...hehe. Shaved I don't have to wash as diligently but I do have to shave again in a month or so. Full dreads, the washing is the biggest pain in the ass IMO, but I don't cut as often and never brush.

taoistlocks, I'm curious, who/what is showing you The Way, may I ask?

[taoistlocks]

Apr 30, 2016 17:12:52 GMT jxbx said:

...I'm curious, who/what is showing you The Way, may I ask?

Of course.

Simply? The universe.
Exactly how it shows one the Way is difficult to say. Maybe that's why Lao Tzu said 'the Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.'

I've been studying taijiquan for about 3 years now and have learned alot about the Way and how to follow it.

How I discovered Taoism has been a journey of over 10 years and I've only very recently embraced the label. As a matter of fact accepting the label and dropping the brush happened in the same moment.

[jxbx]

Ah..great response taoistlocks.
I feel ya, for lack of better terms.
I wish you a long and successful journey!

[taoistlocks]

jxbx
THANKS!!

[twistroot]

This may be a little bit of a twisty path to get to your original question, but....
I have been practicing Zen for many years. Someone in a meditation group I used to practice with before I moved once loaned me this very interesting book that posited that Zen is the way Zen is because of its interaction with Taoism as it spread East. (if I hunt on Amazon I might be able to find it if you are interested.) Anyhow, it made me view Zen practice more as a blend of Buddhism + Taoism and made me read more about Taoism.

I personally have felt more myself and have had a lot less worry and anxiety and general "monkey mind" since I started the dreadlings.......over the past year, a lot of things that I had tried to introduce into my life previously were suddenly starting to stick. For example, I had always wanted to study music but have now found the discipline to actually practice regularly, and the same goes for my archery practice, etc. I started advocating for myself more successfully, finally went vegan and started eating better, etc etc. I don't know what caused what, but I see the process of letting my hair just BE as a nice outward manifestation of the patience and wholeness I am feeling inside. Once I started them and determined I was doing something to make my spirit happy, other stuff started to fall into place. I can't believe I have been patient almost a whole year with myself and didn't let my imagined worries of what other people would think of me get the better of me.

So....they are part of my Zen practice now, but if Zen also has Taoist roots, then I guess in a way I AM doing them as an offshoot of some Taoism too, eh?