Do you believe Taoist philosophy has any truth to it? According to my friend?

[jennifer_bloom]

She told me the taoists believe you have to give more than you take or you will suffer in your future life.

I have a theory that the more pleasure you experience, the more pain and torment you will have, and the more difficult it will be for you to build a connection with the Divine Creator in heaven.

There are safe pleasures where there are no punishments, such as the pleasure of hugging a child, the pleasure of petting a cat, the pleasure of making a sad person happier with your kindness etc...

But I believe God taxes other forms of pleasure, such as the pleasure of visiting Hawaii, the pleasure of eating prime rib steak, the pleasure of drinking wine etc...

[emeraldsaphire]

That's interesting, admittedly I don't know much about Taoist beliefs. I know it's about surrendering to the Tao. So in some ways it's similar to Amor Fati which is stoic concept of loving fate. I have mixed feelings and I can't put them into words.

I don't agree with the pain for pleasure idea though. I don't think life in balanced at all. The pain in this world far ways out the pleasure.

[suppaseepea]

It's sad that a lot of people don't see sex also as pleasure... not just for procreation. Outdated puritanical ideas have warped the minds of so many.

[GrantArmstrong]

I've never heard of any evidence that people are magically taxed for indulging in luxuries. I think that's a story someone made up in an attempt to get people to share their wealth. I don't think that end ultimately justifies the means, though, because history shows religious stories are just as easily turned to service greed and cruelty.

[DryGermanGuy]

I have heard similar notions from Chinese friends. I have not looked deeper into Taoism, though.

[Willowwww]

Personally, I am giving up worldly pleasures and revisiting spiritual pleasures to strengthen my connection with God and it really works. Material pleasures are things that really pollute the soul of a person. We need to spend as much time as possible in prayer.