Nature and homosexuality: the opinion of a Taoist master

Reflections by Derek Lin* published on his blog Taoism.net (United States) on June 12, 2014, freely translated by Giacomo Tessaro

demand

Dear Derek, the other day the theme of homosexuality came out while I was discussing Tao with some people. One of them said that in nature homosexual people cannot have children and therefore go against the natural order of the world, consequently they go against Tao: "It is very simple. If I put a group of heterosexual people on an island, they will multiply and make fruit; if you put a group of homosexual people, sooner or later they will extinguish themselves. Then, which group is in harmony with Tao and what goes against? It seems obvious to me, right?" he said.

I must admit that I was disappointed in feeling this speech: I grew up in a conservative environment that condemns homosexuality and hoped that the Tao was different. But before I definitively give up the weapons, I want to ask for a second opinion: you confirm that this position, contrary to homosexuality, is in harmony with Tao?

Reply

What you have described is an incorrect conception even if very widespread, which is sometimes expressed by those who have a superficial understanding of the Tao. At first glance it is correct: the coupling between male and female is natural, so that between people of the same sex is necessarily controning. The idea is that Tao is made up of Yin and Yang, not by Yin and Yin or Yang and Yang.

First of all, we must understand that, while some great religions in fact condemn homosexuality, the Tao, in itself, does not judge and does not condemn. Tao is not human and is not a God similar to the human being, therefore he can never spit the tremendous judgments typical of certain people. It is more similar to natural laws, which work without emotional attachments.

The second point to clarify is that there are myriads of things in nature that live their entire life without producing descendants. If naturalness is measured by procreation, then it should be said that a lot of things are contrary to Tao, including sterile heterosexual couples or that they simply do not want to have children.

The fallacy leading to the above conclusion is the obsession with the physical appearance. The genre and reproduction are inextricably linked to biology, but can existence be reduced to physical aspect? I suggest that it is only one of the aspects of the multidimensional totality. Also consider this fundamental truth: for humans, the spiritual aspect is much more important than the biological aspect. I can bring the simple example of the love that exists between adoptive parents and their adopted children: it is a healthy, real and powerful love like any other. The lack of a direct biological link between them does not make the slightest difference.

When love exists, nothing can be equally important, so let's try to transcend the physical appearance, move towards the spiritual level and we examine the question from there: you will realize that, when we remove all the external layers, the only thing that remains, the core, is love in its purest form. This love can express itself in many different ways and these ways of expression, if they take place between consenting adults, they flow perfectly aligned with the Tao.

So, is there something that flows not aligned with Tao? Yes, but it has nothing to do with the genre or the ability to reproduce. What goes against Tao is the antithesis of love: fear, contempt, hate. In the material world it can take many forms, such as homophobia and prejudice.

The next time someone wonders about this topic, tell him the truth. Being in harmony or not with Tao has nothing to do with the genre of your or your partner; It has everything to do, however, with our natural desire to make our most sublime, more loving and kind self -manifest. We must be careful when we are dealing with distorted ideas that try to get away from this ideal.

* Derek Lin is a renowned author of books on Tao. Born in Taiwan, he grew up speaking Chinese and English. It has a long experience in proposing the teachings of the East to Western readers clearly, simple and authenticly.

Original text: Question on homosexuality