Dao-Zen-Shinto

Dao / Tao

The natural “Way” or force that flows through everything

Laozi

Founder of Daoism and author of Dao De Jing

Dao De Jing

Key Daoist text about living in harmony with the Dao

Zhuangzi

Daoist philosopher known for stories about freedom and perspective

Yin

Passive, dark, feminine energy

Yang

Active, light, masculine energy

Yin-Yang

Balance of opposite forces in the universe

Wu Wei

Effortless action; going with the natural flow

Naturalism

Living simply in harmony with nature

Zen Buddhism

Branch of Buddhism focused on meditation and direct experience

Satori

Sudden enlightenment

Koan

Paradoxical question used for meditation

Zazen

Seated meditation practice

Rinzai

Zen school emphasizing koans and sudden enlightenment

Soto

Zen school emphasizing meditation and gradual enlightenment

Shinto

Japanese religion focused on nature and spirits

Kami

Spirits or divine forces in nature

Torii Gate

Gate marking entrance to sacred space

Shinto Practice

Rituals, purification, and honoring kami