How Did I Convert Myself To Taoism

[Bartmanhomer]

This begs a couple questions though. Are you a Taoist when you've read the Tao Te Ching and the writings of Zhuangze and agreed heavily with them? Or are you a Taoist wen you join one of the sects or engage in traditional religious practices associate with the Han Chinese people?

Well I read a little bit of the Tao Te Ching but I never heard of the Zhuangze.

[Spiral Arms]

I have a copy of the Tao Te Ching on my bookshelf-It is probably one of my favorite philosophical tomes-it's nature loving, dogma hating, truth seeking goodness, and is probably the book that most influenced my pantheist leanings. I wouldn't call myself a religious Daoist but the philosophy is probably the closest to my own. I first began reading it around the time I was (loosely)practicing Zen/Ch'an-which is heavily influenced by Daoism. I do dabble (I suppose would be the word)in the I-Ching and have found it remarkably useful as a tool for self-awareness.