Hey all
Of all the wisdoms, religions, philosophies, ideologies etc that I have ever encountered, I think my most favourite and dear is that of the Tao Te Ching, by Lao Tzu.
SO simple, SO obvious. Never pretentious, never preachy, never judging... nothing to do with race, geneology, or saviours.... nothing to do with in-groups or out-groups, saved or damned, sin or glory...
In fact perhaps Taoism is maybe the only 'religion' that has inherent real humor in it, and is able to laugh at itself.
It quiets the mind, answers all questions, and is a truth that is always readily available without any effort.
- For me, its just a simple realization of ONE-NESS.
Of all the 'ten thousand things', there is a unity. The more we can see that everything are just parts of the whole (fingers on a hand, hands on a body, etc) and that this 'whole' is everything all at once, perfect, amazing... the more we are in tune with it. Call it Tao, Nature, God, etc... though it has no opposite. Within it contains all the opposites we may perceive, but in the end it is all ONE THING, of which we are all an expression of. We all move together, and it moves exactly as it should, always.
I tapped into this sensation (not a big claim, millions experience such 'satori' all the time) just before I started my psychedelic years, and it was the main focus of my explorations under those conditions. And though I don't trip anymore, it is still my personal source and refuge for peace and clarity in all situations.
So to enjoy this wonderful text, I will hereby post ONE CHAPTER A DAY, with perhaps some comments or discussion as we go. There are 81 chapters, we should be through in a few months, and have a nice record of it here for people to access.
Enjoy!
Tao Te Ching
ONE
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and earth.
The named is the mother of ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one can see the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
TWO
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty, only because there is ugliness.
All can know good as good, only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy compliment each other.
Long and short contrast each other;
High and low rest upon each other;
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
Under heaven all can see beauty as beauty, only because there is ugliness.
All can know good as good, only because there is evil.
Therefore having and not having arise together.
Difficult and easy compliment each other.
Long and short contrast each other;
High and low rest upon each other;
Voice and sound harmonize each other;
Front and back follow one another.
Therefore the sage goes about doing nothing, teaching no-talking.
The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,
Creating, yet not possessing,
Working, yet not taking credit.
Work is done, then forgotten.
Therefore it lasts forever.
Hey all - missed a couple days
Such is the Tao :D
Such is the Tao :D
THREE
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of heart.
The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If people lack knowledge and desire,
then intellectuals will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling.
Not collecting treasures prevents stealing.
Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of heart.
The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies,
by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.
If people lack knowledge and desire,
then intellectuals will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.
^ this verse may come off a bit harsh /promote a monk-like state of being, but I don't think this is so.
IMO it is purposefully extreme, just to illustrate a particular state of mind. As you read it you try to imagine 'Not' having these things, and the clarity and simpleness that comes forth from dropping these things. In the end you are in a very Taoist state.
But this does not mean that you need to be in this state all the time. The Taoist would also say that all these things exist and are part of the Tao just the same. If the Tao takes us into such places then let it be so! and laugh along at your own folly.
IMO it is purposefully extreme, just to illustrate a particular state of mind. As you read it you try to imagine 'Not' having these things, and the clarity and simpleness that comes forth from dropping these things. In the end you are in a very Taoist state.
But this does not mean that you need to be in this state all the time. The Taoist would also say that all these things exist and are part of the Tao just the same. If the Tao takes us into such places then let it be so! and laugh along at your own folly.
FOUR
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the knot,
Soften the glare,
Merge with dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from where it comes.
It is the forefather of the emperors.
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled.
Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things!
Blunt the sharpness,
Untangle the knot,
Soften the glare,
Merge with dust.
Oh, hidden deep but ever present!
I do not know from where it comes.
It is the forefather of the emperors.
^ that one is fuckin awesome.
These are not just intended to describe or explain Taoist views... they are poems meant to actually instill a direct effect on you! Read it line by line and try to feel/experience what each line is suggesting.
It takes you on a sensory journey. He empties you out completely, then hits you with the last line about Emperors. LOL
These are not just intended to describe or explain Taoist views... they are poems meant to actually instill a direct effect on you! Read it line by line and try to feel/experience what each line is suggesting.
It takes you on a sensory journey. He empties you out completely, then hits you with the last line about Emperors. LOL
FIVE
Heaven and earth are ruthless:
They see the ten thousand things as dummies.
The wise are ruthless;
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center.
Heaven and earth are ruthless:
They see the ten thousand things as dummies.
The wise are ruthless;
They see the people as dummies.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows.
The shape changes but not the form;
The more it moves, the more it yields.
More words count less.
Hold fast to the center.
Also remember these are translated. I'm sure much gets lost.
This translation is from a book I have... of course I can't read the originals so I don't know how good of a job they did, but I like it just fine, I think they put a lot of work and love into it.
These are the cats that wrote this version - a husband and wife team apparently:
This translation is from a book I have... of course I can't read the originals so I don't know how good of a job they did, but I like it just fine, I think they put a lot of work and love into it.
These are the cats that wrote this version - a husband and wife team apparently:
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