http://www.centertao.org// Life and philosophy from a Taoist perspective en board@centertao.org board@centertao.org http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 Sat, 10 May 2008 21:11:05 GMT Sat, 10 May 2008 21:11:05 GMT http://www.centertao.org// http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4216#4216 Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. While making it more tedious to read, the Tao Te Ching is best pondered in the context of the whole.]

It helps to contemplate the outskirts of meaning for the words by which I think. Nothing exemplifies this better than pondering the raw literal Chinese to get a sense of what the Tao Te Ching is ‘actually saying’. The question is not what it is ‘actually saying’, but rather what I am ‘actually aware of’. In other words, what I understand in the words I read is simply a reflection of self understanding. Thus, better understanding hinges upon deeper self understanding. Unveiling deeper self understanding required some murky digging, the effort of which just feels difficult. Why difficult?

Alas, much that is beneficial in life entails difficulty. Again, why? I reckon animals (you, me and the rest) instinctively seek easy and simple pleasures, and ‘no brainer’ answers. Perhaps this is nature’s way of ‘thinning the heard’. After all, individuals who make an extra effort usually survive better, e.g., remember "The Three Little Piggies" story. Mother nature, in her wisdom, made the experience of ‘doing better’ feel difficult. Otherwise, everyone and everything would always be eagerly ‘doing better’. That would just make natural selection less efficient, and nature is nothing if not frugal and efficient. Survival goes to the fittest. Fitness comes to those who treat some things as difficult and then lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult! Now, I’m not championing the theory of evolution per se. Simply said, nature appears to enforce a straightforward policy: pay now (and survive longer), or pay later (and perish early), but pay I will.

Ironically, the more I cling to the easy way, the more difficult life becomes. It is a delicate balance whose scales are easily tipped off balance. Knowing, moment to moment, that the difficult and the easy complement each other helps me profoundly. As with any active state of balance, being ‘awake now’ (paying now) is the only way to maintain balance. Making something big by starting with it when small boils down to just that, in my experience. Things feel more difficult when we bite off more than we can chew, either literally or imaginatively as the mind jumps ahead of ‘now’. The moral: don’t think, just nibble away steadily at the small easy beginnings and nothing more! Time takes care of the rest. This almost sounds a like having my cake and eating it too. Not really, for staying current with the small easy beginnings, is difficult. It is much ‘easier’ to jump ahead of myself toward what I desire. Instead of traveling life’s journey from beneath one's feet I hop hither and tither out of my mind half the time. Whew, well at least it's not all the time.

Note: The first line of this chapter (see literal below) is the widely quoted 'wei wu wei' (do nothing do). This is followed by 'shi wu shi' (matter nothing matter) and 'wei wu wei' (taste nothing taste). This later 'wei' has a falling tone as opposed to the rising tone of the former 'wei' - oh those countless homonyms in Chinese Pondering the other meanings of these statements (i.e., '___wu ___' ) helps broaden and deepen meaning by pulling meaning closer to the meaning that has no meaning (to paraphrase chapter 14). Naturally pondering the outskirts of meaning holds for much of the Tao Te Ching in general. That is the benefit of contemplating the broader meaning of any and all words we use.

This is the nearly literal as it looks to me today:
Do without doing,
Be responsible without being responsible.
Taste without tasting.
Make the big small and the many few, Responding to resentment use kindness.
Plan difficulty from its easy.
Do the great from its delicate.
All difficulties under heaven must arise from the easy
All that is great under heaven must arise from the slight
Correctly so, the holy person ends without doing great,
For this reason he is able to become great.
The man that lightly promises, surely few trust.
The great easy, surely great difficult.
Correctly so, the holy person still within difficulty,
For this reason, he ends without difficulty.

These are the literal Chinese meanings, outskirts and all
do(act; serve as; be; mean) nothing(nil; not have; without; regardless of) do(act; serve as; be; mean),
matter(business; responsibility) nothing(nil; not have; without; regardless of) matter(business; trouble; responsibility),
taste(flavour; smell; odour; interest) nothing(nil; not have; without; regardless of) taste(flavour; smell; odour; interest).
big(great; major) small( little; petty; minor) many(more; excessive; too much) few(little, lack),
report(announce; reply; respond) resentment (blame; complain) use (take; because of) virtue(moral character; kindness).
picture(plan; attempt) difficult(troublesome; unpleasant) in (to, from, by) its (their) easy (amiable).
do(act; serve as; be; mean) big(great; major) in (to, from, by) its (their) thin (delicate; careful).
sky(heaven; nature) below(under) difficult(troublesome) matter(business; responsibility) must make(rise) in (to, from, by) easy (amiable).
sky(heaven; nature) below(under) big(great; major) matter(business; responsibility) must make(rise) in (to, from, by) thin (delicate)
correct(right; yes; this) use(take; according to; because of) sage(saint; holy; sacred) human being (man; person; people; adult)
end(finish; death; eventually; whole) not do(act; serve as; be; mean) big(large; great; major),
incident(reason; cause; hence) ability (skill, able) accomplish (succeed; become; turn into) its (his; her; their) big(large; great; major).
man light(not important; gently) promise certainly (surely; must) few (scant; tasteless) true (confidence; trust; believe).
big(great; major) easy(amiable) certainly (surely; must) big(great; major) difficult(troublesome; unpleasant).
correct (right; yes; this) use(take; according to; because of) sage(saint; holy; sacred) human being (man; person; people; adult)
like(still, just as) difficult(troublesome; unpleasant) of,
incident(reason; cause; hence) end(death; eventually; whole) nothing(without; regardless of) difficult(troublesome; unpleasant).]]> Taoism and the Tao Te Ching http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=716 Carl Sat, 10 May 2008 20:03:46 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4216#4216 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4215#4215 Each week we address one chapter of the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.

Chapter 63
Do that which consists in taking no action; pursue that which is not meddlesome;
savor that which has no flavor.

Make the small big and the few many; do good to him who has done you an injury.

Lay plans for the accomplishment of the difficult before it becomes difficult;
make something big by starting with it when small.

Difficult things in the world must needs have their beginnings in the easy;
big things must needs have their beginnings in the small.

Therefore it is because the sage never attempts to be great that he succeeds in
becoming great.

One who makes promises rashly rarely keeps good faith;
one who is in the habit of considering things easy meets with frequent difficulties.

Therefore even the sage treats some things as difficult.
That is why in the end no difficulties can get the better of him.


Read commentary previously posted for this chapter.
Read notes on translations
Now, do it too at Wengu!]]> Taoism and the Tao Te Ching http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=716 Carl Sat, 10 May 2008 19:02:57 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4215#4215 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4214#4214

az says:

... expectations, or idealistic views tend to all be painted with your own colored glasses, and have little to do with reality.

Little? Nah! I'd say none what-so-ever. Unless, of course, one thinks his expectations and idealistic views are reality. Naturally, that also applies to anything I think as well. Isn't thought odd? Straightforward words seem paradoxical.]]> Taoism and the Tao Te Ching http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=712 Carl Sat, 10 May 2008 18:57:55 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4214#4214 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4213#4213 Taoism and the Tao Te Ching http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=712 az Sat, 10 May 2008 18:17:27 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4213#4213 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4212#4212

Quote:

I try to think less, and just stay aware.

That's what meditation is, except there's no "trying." When you can watch your thoughts and let them pass, you come to realize how insubstantial most thought is. Then you become less jerked around by your thoughts, and you settle down a bit until you can catch glimpses of the nameless quality that I believe is what the TTC is pointing to.

Along the way, as you meditate, you can't help but come to know yourself. Here's what Carl said about self-honesty:

Quote:

Mastery, “Tao” or otherwise, is a cultural myth. ‘True mastery’ is only realized when we remain ‘true beginners’. The duality, ‘mastery versus beginner’ is in the mind and emotion (desire) of the observer. It is something we must first strengthen. ‘True guidance’ is the self honesty we face within ourselves. Self honesty is the only truly trustworthy guide. It is the guide’s guide.

]]> The CenterTao Lounge http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=713 Lynn Cornish Sat, 10 May 2008 16:16:42 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4212#4212 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4211#4211 The CenterTao Lounge http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=713 mr.minor Sat, 10 May 2008 02:13:29 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4211#4211 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4210#4210 The CenterTao Lounge http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=686 mr.minor Fri, 09 May 2008 06:51:20 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4210#4210 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4209#4209
What you are saying is that if you sit in a chair, you need a chair; if you sleep in a bed, you need a bed. Without these comforts, you could be content sitting cross-legged or sleeping on the ground. Even more significant, it's good for your flexibility and flexibility is good for the body's long run.]]> 'One Who Knows Does Not Think, Speak Or Write...' http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=715 Lynn Cornish Thu, 08 May 2008 23:22:37 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4209#4209 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4208#4208

Quote:

The degree varies widely between individuals though genetic variability, and has little to do with circumstances.

This is so true! I noticed it first in my husband...when he didn't have my drinking to worry about because I quit, he started worrying about his job.

I also noticed that when I quit working, my stress threshold lowered. Now, instead of being blissfully stress free, I stress out about minor things or problems that are only in my head.

It doesn't seem fair. As they say, you can't win for losing. Meanwhile, I choose to hold on to my comforts.

P.S. Isn't it more neurotic to let go of comforts than to keep them if they are there? I look at my dogs: if they have a choice of sleeping on the floor or on the bed, they choose the bed everytime!]]> 'One Who Knows Does Not Think, Speak Or Write...' http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=715 Lynn Cornish Thu, 08 May 2008 21:03:50 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4208#4208 http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4207#4207

chano says:

I feel as if my spiritual body has surpassed my mental and physical bodies. If my interpretation is correct this is a bad thing. I know with the proper training the physical body can be caught up but my question is how would one train the mind to be rooted with the tao? Reading the ancient texts alone does not seem as it would be enough to suffice.

Nor will it ever, despite our wishes to the contrary. For example, ’The teaching that uses no words, the benefit of resorting to no action, these are beyond the understanding of all but a very few in the world.’ The understanding mentioned is not the understanding of the intellect – mind. Rather, it is emotional ‘understanding’ that is lacking. Acquiring emotional understanding is like acquiring patience or acquiring sleep. How do you do that? You let yourself. So simple, and yet so difficult… until it becomes easy. Also, saying that patience (i.e., stillness, stillness, stillness) is ‘the cure’ won’t sound like ‘the cure’ to one who feels little patience.

Simply put, there is nothing we can do, no action to take, that will improve our emotional understand other than living life as it comes our way. We need do nothing, for 'it happens to us naturally.'

chano says:

It would seem the tao of mastery would be the best place to begin for mental awareness. How would one learn the ways without guidance? I have the fear of misinterpretation. The feeling of fear is what makes me believe i do not have balance of the mind. The paradox in this is the tao te ching tells us "He who is sick of the sickness is no longer sick." Would this then mean by feeling the fear but facing it one is no longer afraid?

Mastery, “Tao” or otherwise, is a cultural myth. ‘True mastery’ is only realized when we remain ‘true beginners’. The duality, ‘mastery versus beginner’ is in the mind and emotion (desire) of the observer. It is something we must first strengthen. ‘True guidance’ is the self honesty we face within ourselves. Self honesty is the only truly trustworthy guide. It is the guide’s guide.

chano says:

… I wonder if i fear misinterpretation because misinterpretation would cause all of my efforts seeking balance to cause more imbalance. If this is the case could it then be said i seek balance for personal agenda?

The dynamic, balance counterbalancing imbalance counterbalancing balance… add infinitum is the natural flow (for lack of a better label). All life seeks to maintain balance; all life experiences imbalance in the process. That quest is life’s “agenda”. Our problem is that we ‘see a problem’. Ironic eh?

mr.minor says:

Yes struggling definitely not balancing anything. I think I strive to find balance too much rather than just letting it happen.

The “too much” is not too much; rather only a result (symptom) of more primary causes. The struggle is actually 'a balancing act', and so it can never be “too much”. The dwelling on our circumstance, and the ensuing worry, comes from placing too much trust in thought among other things (e.g. Have You Noticed? Something’s Always Wrong). But, hey, the brain has a mind of its own so what can we do?]]> The CenterTao Lounge http://www.centertao.org//posting.php?mode=reply&t=686 Carl Thu, 08 May 2008 17:43:02 GMT http://www.centertao.org/viewtopic.php?p=4207#4207