ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

True form (Taoism)

True form in Taoism refers to the idea that everything in the world has its own natural and unique way of being. Just like how every person has their own personality and way of doing things, every animal, plant, and even non-living things like rocks and rivers have their own way too.

Taoism believes that this true form is not something that is created or forced by humans, but something that already exists naturally. It's like how a bird is meant to fly in the sky and a fish is meant to swim in the water. They don't have to try to be something they're not, because their true form is already in harmony with their surroundings.

In Taoism, people are encouraged to discover and embrace their own true form. This means understanding and accepting who they are, what they enjoy, and what makes them happy. Just like how a flower doesn't try to be a different type of flower, people shouldn't try to be someone they're not. They should be true to themselves.

When people go against their true form and try to be something they're not, they can become unhappy and unfulfilled. It's like if a fish tries to fly like a bird or a tree tries to swim like a fish – it just doesn't work well and can cause a lot of stress and frustration.

Living in alignment with your true form means living in harmony with the world around you. It's like when all the pieces of a puzzle fit perfectly together. It feels natural and right. Taoism teaches that by embracing our true form and living in harmony, we can find peace, happiness, and balance in our lives.

So, the idea of true form in Taoism is all about understanding and accepting ourselves, embracing our uniqueness, and living in harmony with the world around us. It's like being true to who we really are, just like a bird being true to its instinct to fly or a flower embracing its beautiful colors.