Spiritual cultivation takes root in ancient practice.

Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Solala Towler For The Register-Guard

My path to Taoism began around 16 years ago when I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Not much was known about this disease at the time and there were no treatments available in Western medicine other than bed rest.

I began working with Chinese medicine, which proved to be very helpful. Being interested in learning more about the philosophical background to Chinese medicine, I began to study Taoism and immediately felt that I had found my spiritual home.

Now I publish a Taoist magazine, have written nine books on Taoism and qigong, and have traveled to China four times. This was clearly an example of a very dark and difficult time leading to a time of healing and spirituality.

Taoism is an ancient form of spiritual cultivation from China and goes back 8,000 years or more. The most popular Taoist text is called the Tao Te Ching and has been a best seller for more than 2,500 years. In it we are taught the spiritual principles of being flexible, of being humble, of not pushing ourselves forward, of being able to acclimate ourselves to whatever situation we find ourselves in - good or bad - and of not striving to control the world around us (called wu wei in Chinese).

There is also a big emphasis on nature as a teacher and of using every part of our life experience as fodder for our spiritual growth. In Taoism we use the term "spiritual cultivation." In this way we see our spiritual path as a beautiful garden, where we plant seeds of spiritual truth, and then water them and weed them carefully so that they can grow, naturally and abundantly.

Some of the practices associated with, or having their origin in, Taoism are Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbalism), qigong (pronounced chee goong), feng shui, meditation and tai chi.

The study and practice of Taoism has taught me valuable lessons in how to live my life in a relaxed, natural and harmonious way. Many of the practices of Taoism can be undertaken without having to become a Taoist. In this path we are taught that everything is interconnected and that by trying to make things happen we lose the thread of the natural flow of life and our place in it. I have learned to slow down and find my own place in the greater flow of life and to use that flow to support my own energy or qi (chee).

While I am certainly a modern 21st-century Westerner, I can still use this ancient Chinese path to become a more spiritual, balanced, healthier and relaxed person. The Taoist emphasis on being centered, rooted, flexible, virtuous and adaptable has served me well in my emotional, physical and spiritual life. Through my connection with the Divine Source or Tao, I am supported and nourished in my spiritual practice and feel healthier, both in body and spirit, than ever.

Solala Towler is editor of a journal of Taoist philosophy and practice, and teaches classes on Taoist meditation and qigong. This column is coordinated by Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries, a network of more than 35 religious and spiritual traditions in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, visit www.interfaitheugene.org or call 344-5693.