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Gary Jaron
DildoBaggins is correct. Paradox is a form of conceptual illusion, similar to the optical illusions. The contradiction is only on the surface. The two, Yin and Yang, are contextually present at the same time, but manifest in the different contexts. Lao Tzu, like Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher born in 544 b.c. was quoted by Plato as saying “No man ever steps in the same river twice." That to Aristotle seemed a paradox and a violation of his rules of logic. It wasn't. The statement, like all seeming paradoxes, are riddles waiting for you to see the shift in context that reveals the correct answer. Heraclitus was using the word 'river' in two contexts, a geographic location and the name for a dynamic flowing system of water that is traveling from source to mouth.
DildoBaggins
Think in terms of quantum theory. The light is both particle and the wave. Or think in terms of theory of relativity - space and time are the same. If you increase the size of a room, you will also increase the time needed to travel it fully at the same speed. That will also increase the energy needed to traverse it. Where does that energy come from? Yes, we can play with science and positivist thought but if you ommit all of those silly numbers you see that the energy comes from a simple fact that we increased the room. We first need a way to spend that energy, and by creating that way by increasing the size of the room, we introduce the possibility to expand more energy in it. So at the same time, the energy used for movement is expanded into space, but that same space created the conditions where that energy may get spent. Now, if you see that we are also the space, and energy travels from us to space it really travels from space to space - movement is the illusion. If the energy can't flow, it's as if it doesn't exist really. So spending it actually creates it. Panta rei, right?
So is the truth - once understood, it can hold multiple things inside of it - when these things are spoken they are contradictory. That's why the Tao can't really be told because it will always be false. The truth is hidden in plain sight and you have to use your inner workings to understand it. All these books, teachings...they are just fingers pointing at the moon. Once you see the moon, drop the fingers, they aren't the moon.
http://kuvaton.com/kuvei/truth.jpg
P.S.
Once you drop the fingers, whole new world opens up - it is worth it, the wait...
So is the truth - once understood, it can hold multiple things inside of it - when these things are spoken they are contradictory. That's why the Tao can't really be told because it will always be false. The truth is hidden in plain sight and you have to use your inner workings to understand it. All these books, teachings...they are just fingers pointing at the moon. Once you see the moon, drop the fingers, they aren't the moon.
http://kuvaton.com/kuvei/truth.jpg
P.S.
Once you drop the fingers, whole new world opens up - it is worth it, the wait...
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