Daoism

developed the notion of the Dao (Dao—way, or path) as the origin of all creation and the force—unknowable in its essence but observable in its manifestations—that lies behind the functionings and changes of the natural world. They saw in Dao and nature the basis of a spiritual approach to living. (View Highlight)

Note: love this - and also the "way" could be the electron

Their sages were wise, but not in the way the Confucian teacher was wise>—learned anda moral paragon. Zhuangzi's sages were often artisans>—butchers or woodcarvers. The lowly artisans understood the secret of art and the art of living. To be skillful and creative, they had to have inner spiritual concentration and put aside concern with externals, such as monetary rewards, fame, and praise. Art, like life, followed the creative path of nature, not the values of human society. (View Highlight)

Note: this is SO MUCH more satisfying than the monk lifestyle of Zen or Confucianism, the preachings of the priests and nobles Instead it's going DEEPER into REAL life, inward not outward, and therefore much more practical and essential Art and craftsmanship is more important than theory and void

Chinese utopian writings also often bore a Daoist stamp. Dao Qian's(T'ao Ch'ien, 372?-427? C.E.) famous "Peach Blossom Spring" told the story of a fisherman who discovered by chance an idyllic community of Chinese who centuries earlier had fled a war-torn land, and had since lived in perfect simplicity, harmony, and peace, obliviously unaware of the turmoil of history beyond their grove. Although these utopian surged him to stay, the fisherman left to share his discovery with friends and a local official. He could never find his way back. He did not understand that this ideal world was to be found not by following an external path, but a spiritual path; it was a state of mind, an attitude, that comprised the utopia. (View Highlight)

Note: SO GOOD YES this is exactly what i've been workign towards especially the notion of utopia

If Daoist ideas and images inspired in the Chinese a love of nature and an occasional retreat to it from the cares of the world to rest and heal, it also inspired an intense affirmation of life: physical life --health, well-being, vitality, longevity, and even immortality. (View Highlight)

Note: same as life maximalism - you have to be great in the only world we have, not to jettison that for some unknown

Chinese communists see Daoism as fatalistic and passive, a detriment to socialist reconstruction. The People's Republic has kept alive some practical arts, such as the use of traditional herbal medicines, which have longstanding links with Daoism. (View Highlight)

Note: they picked exactly the wrong parts of Daoism - the foofy herbal medicine which has been replaced, without capturing the under pinning