Taoist Thought

∞ Returning to Original Self ∞

In effect, returning to original self means returning to perceive life much more impartially. You could call this the Taoist path to being “born again”, as it were.  Such natural impartiality is essential for beholding profound sameness, the cornerstone of Taoist thought. As chapter 56 describes profound sameness …

Knowing not speak; speaking not know.
Squeeze exchange, shut the gates,
Subdue its sharpness, untie its tangles,
Soften its brightness, be the same as dust,
This is called profound sameness.

The human mind irresistibly seeks out stories to fill its space. In this quest, imagination and memory shaped by emotions and experience induce our mind to focus excessively on differences. This creates an imbalance with nature’s reality, which causes stress. This book’s collection of truth-seeking narratives offers a practical way to cultivate an ability to view life through an impartial lens. As the last lines of chapter 16 conclude…

Knowing the constant allows, allowing therefore impartial,
Impartial therefore whole, whole therefore natural,
Natural therefore the way.
The way therefore long enduring, nearly rising beyond oneself.

Note: Chapter 16, and especially the end, “nearly rising beyond oneself”  ,  is why I think of this as a down-to-earth approach to being “born again”.

Overview:

The first section contains 288 short observations and the other section contains 6 supporting essays. The best way to tackle this big book is by reading a page or two at a time, mulling it over for a day or so, and then proceeding on to the next. You will be gradually ‘unlearning’ partialities and replacing them with impartiality—profound sameness. Keep in mind, this process will take a while.

Speaking of taking a while, this book is the culmination of an undertaking that began in 1964.  I feel that the few who find this website actually useful will find this big book actually useful as well.

Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1722202033