what is taoism

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Taoism, also known as Daoism, is a diverse tradition that originated in China and is characterized as both a philosophy and a religion. It emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao, which is generally understood as being the impersonal, enigmatic process of transformation ultimately underlying reality. Here are some key points about Taoism:

Meaning of the word: The Tao is represented in Chinese by the character 道 (pinyin: dào; Wade–Giles: tao4), which has several related meanings.
Religious and philosophical aspects: Taoism encompasses a family of organized religious movements that share concepts and terminology from Taoist philosophy, often interpreted as the Taoist "religion proper," or the "mystical" or "liturgical" aspects of Taoism. Philosophical Taoism owes more to “philosopher Zhuang” (Zhuangzi) (4th Century BCE).
Popularity: Today, Taoism is one of five religious doctrines officially recognized by the Chinese government, and it has official status in Hong Kong and Macau. It is also considered a major religion within Taiwan, and it has significant populations of adherents throughout the Sinosphere and Southeast Asia, particularly in Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Beliefs: Taoists believe in doing what is natural and "going with the flow" in accordance with the Tao, a cosmic force which flows through all things and binds and releases them. The philosophy grew from an observance of the natural world, and the religion developed out of a belief in cosmic balance maintained and regulated by the Tao.
Practices: Taoist rituals are concerned with honoring the ancestors of a village, community, or city, and the Grand Master will invoke the spirits of these ancestors while incense burns to purify the area. Purification is a very important element throughout the ritual.
Forms of Taoism: Taoism comes in two basic forms—philosophical Taoism and religious Taoism. Philosophical Taoism is closer to the goal toward which Latter-day Saints should be moving, as it emphasizes the oneness and spirituality of the material universe. Religious Taoism is a form closely allied with ancient Chinese religious life and somewhat foreign to Latter-day Saint experience.