Mind or Body? Understanding Buddhist and Taoist Meditation | SimpleBreath

A while back, my friend Xiao Lin—she's into yoga—asked me out for tea.

She's usually super calm, but that day she seemed anxious. The moment we sat down, she told me: "I just finished a 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat, and honestly, I feel off. Like something's wrong with me."

I asked her what happened.

She gave me a bitter smile. "The teacher taught us to observe our breath, observe our thoughts—said it was the Buddhist way of inner observation. I followed the instructions. I could feel my thoughts arising and passing, but after ten days, I actually felt more anxious. I went there hoping to calm down, but the more I observed, the more I felt like I had way too many thoughts. Like I was a terrible person."

She continued: "Then I went to a Taoist wellness class. Completely different. The teacher told us to focus on the dantian, observe our qi and blood, pay attention to our body sensations. I tried it, and it felt way better—my body felt warm, my sleep improved. But now I'm confused. Both Buddhism and Taoism talk about inner observation, but why are the methods so different? Which one should I choose?"

As I listened, two passages popped into my head—one from the Platform Sutra and one from the Yellow Court Classic.

Buddhism says: "The Buddha-nature is originally pure; use this mind directly and become Buddha"—it emphasizes observing the mind.

Taoism says: "Above is the Yellow Court, below is the Gate of Origin, behind is the Dark Gate, in front is the Gate of Life"—it emphasizes observing the body.

Both practice inner observation, but Buddhism observes the mind while Taoism guards the body. This isn't just a difference in method—it reflects two completely different philosophies of life.

Buddhist Inner Observation: Watching Your Mind Like Clouds in the Sky

When Buddhism talks about "observing the mind," it means watching how your thoughts arise, change, and disappear.

The Satipatthana Sutta puts it clearly: "When walking, know you are walking; when standing, know you are standing; when sitting, know you are sitting; when lying down, know you are lying down."

Buddhist mind observation isn't about having no thoughts—it's about seeing your thoughts and not being carried away by them.

Taoist Inner Observation: Guarding Your Body Like Tending a Warm Fire

Taoist inner observation is completely different from Buddhism. Buddhism observes the mind; Taoism guards the body.

The core practice is two words: Guarding the One—most commonly, guarding the lower dantian three inches below the navel.

Going deeper, Taoism also has internal alchemy cultivation such as the Small Heavenly Circuit.

One Transcends the World, One Embraces It: Which Should You Choose?

If you're going through inner pain or deep attachment, Buddhist observation of mind suits you better.

If you're dealing with physical sub-health or low energy, Taoist observation of body suits you better.

The highest wisdom is knowing both can serve you.

The Way Lives in Daily Use—Take What You Need

Combine both: in the morning, guard the dantian to awaken your body; before bed, observe the breath to calm your mind. Ten minutes a day—quietly practice, quietly sense.