What is the Unity of Heaven and Humanity in Taoism? 什么是天人合一

A doctrine in traditional Chinese philosophy concerning the relationship between Heaven and humanity, developed from the ancient Chinese thought of Interaction Between Heaven and Humanity.

As early as in the ritual system of the Zhou Dynasty, there existed the thought of linking the Mandate of Heaven to human affairs.

What is the Unity of Heaven and Humanity in Taoism?

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the ideas of Interaction Between Heaven and Humanity and Unity of Heaven and Humanity both developed in Confucianism and Daoism, though with different basic tendencies. Confucianism emphasized the social and ethical attributes of Heaven. Meng Ke and Dong Zhongshu developed them into the theories of the divine right of kings and disasters as warnings, holding that heavenly virtue resides in the human mind, human nature is rooted in the Way of Heaven, and the Mandate of Heaven determines human affairs. One should cultivate one’s mind to the utmost, understand destiny, and thus unite with Heaven.

Daoism emphasized the natural attribute of Heaven. Zhuangzi · Qi Wu Lun states: “Heaven and earth live side by side with me; all things and I are one.” “Heaven and humanity are one” (Zhuangzi · Shan Mu). It holds that the unity of Heaven and humanity is not subject to human will: “Therefore, whether you like it or not, it is one; whether you regard it as one or not, it is one.” (Zhuangzi · The Great Master)

In Taoist Internal Alchemy, the relationship between Heaven and humanity is synthesized into the “principle of Interaction Between Heaven and Humanity”. It holds that the universe and human beings intercommunicate, with Qi connecting them, and both unified in The Dao. The human brain is in principle isomorphic with the natural world. The exchange of information among the human body, society and nature is synchronous, forming an interactive organic whole in essence. Both Heaven and humanity conform to the Dao of natural non‑action, and the Dao pervades the one; hence it is called “Unity of Heaven and Humanity”.