Cayjunn

I'm new to this path. I've always tried to live a centered life but came about it from a different direction. My mantra for several years, in the face of adversity, has been "it is what it is" and that is apparently very Dao. My first question I have is this: Where do I start as far as focusing myself to become more acutely aware of the Way? My second question is this: What are some good resources to educate myself on the nature of Dao? I have a couple different versions of the DDJ, Getting Right with Tao by Ron Hogan, The Tao Speaks by Tsai Chih Chung, and Change your Thoughts Change your Life by Wayne Dyer, the Tao of Pooh and the Te of Piglet. Any thoughts on any of these resources and perhaps ideas on where to go from here? Thanks, J

After re-reading my post I realize that it came across poorly due to I'll chosen words. The thought I was trying to convey was that I would think I would need a true teacher to progress BEYOND breathing exercises and self guided meditation, not in place of. As far as "opposite ends of the spectrum" what I meant was it feels as if Daoism is focused on being one with nature, enjoying life and finding balance within it, while it seems that Buddhism has more of a focus on enduring life as suffering while on the journey to enlightenment. Seems to be different focuses for me. That's all.

I'd love to find a good teacher, but in the area I live in, it would be truly an act of Fate for a teacher to come across my path. A true TEACHER, not just someone who is empty quotes and trendy fads. I truly feel that is what I need to progress more so than breathing exercises and some self guided meditation. The closest thing I have here are a couple of friends who are Buddhist but I feel that the two paths, while sharing similarities due to developing in close proximity, still ultimately are on different ends of the spectrum.

Hi, I've been an eclectic spiritualist most of my adult life, with a leaning toward a follower of the Way of the Christ. I do not as a general rule associate myself as a "Christian" as I feel that term has become associated with "churchianity" which I feel is at odds with the true nature of the Christ. In my journey toward a more centered and balanced life, I am starting to read more Taoist writings and looking for more resources into how to incorporate "the Way" into my everyday life, ideally I'll find that this is the direction I've already been heading. I'm here because there aren't many, if any, local resources for Taoist studies, or persons to help with guidance or questions I may have. Thanks for future insight and wisdom. C