Tao te ching, is a book written around 600 BC by philosopher Lao tsu. He was a librarian and curator of the written works of Confucius. The legend goes that an aging Lao Tsu decided to leave China and was asked by a border guard to leave behind the written story of his beliefs. The Tao te ching was the result and it became the root of Taoism. Later, a decpile of Lao tsu named Chuang tsu wrote a book taken as the major companion work to the Tao.

You may be leaving one sect, but you're in the process of replacing one level of woo with another. I suggest that it is far better to give up on magic and move into the light of a reason based reality.

There is a Taoist group here as well that I am a member of. The Taoist practical approach to living as well as their sense of humor appeal to me.

Taoism is about as close as I can get to any form of religion.

I've been studying the IChing for a number of years...no, not the Dao, but...close, lol.

At age 18, I discovered "Tao Te Ching," written in the sixth century B.C. by Lao Tsu.

Love this passage:

The highest good is like water.
Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.
It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land.

In meditation, go deep in the heart.
In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.
In speech, be true.
In ruling, be just.
In business, be competent.
In action, watch the timing.

No fight: No blame.