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Tao Te Ching
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Robin, Awakened Dreamer
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Nov 21, 2013 02:40PM
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I knew Jane English, the co-creator and photographer for the book when she lived here in Mount Shasta. She is the one who really made the book happen. Likewise,the words of Lao Tzu would never have been written down if the gate keeper had not insisted. However, no one knows who really wrote the book."And it is on these spaces where there is nothing that the usefulness of the house depends.
Therefore just as we take advantage of what is, we should recognize the usefulness of what is not." (chap. 11, tr. Waley)
How would you describe Tao Te Ching's views? Intrigued by what was shared so far, but have never read of him.
I view the Tao as a "pocketbook for life". Five years ago I went on a cost-to-coast motorcycle ride, and spent 5 weeks lone on the road in contemplation. The Tao was in my "tank bag" the entire time, and every day I would browse through it. The main value to me is the thought that it provokes, and how radically different is the mindset that it describes compared with what I experience in daily life.
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Ran, a good description of it. I love Illusions by Richard Bach for the same reasons. It sends me faraway to dream/thinking.
Love the Tao Te Ching - so subtle, sublime... each time I pick it up to read a few lines, I come away with something different, I feel a little bit wiser :)
I love this book- read it years ago and revisited it. Even used it as a basis for my book. Currently working with the quote By letting go it all gets done. So simple yet so profound!
I have just requested this book from my local library and look forward to reading it. Thank you for bringing this book to my attention.
You might want to be mindful about which translation of the Tao you read. I have a half dozen different translations and they can convey very different meanings from this ancient Taoist text. My favorite translation today is DAO DE JING, "Making Life Significant" by Roger Ames and David Hall. This is one of my favorite spiritual texts.
Thanks, I'll be on the lookout for that transition.
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Published by Watkins Publishing, London.
There are three classic translations available online in the public domain- Legge, Merel and Blackney. They are from the GNU Public Library License as published by the Free Software Foundation. It was interesting to read each next to each other to see what a difference the translation can make.
Robin wrote: "I have the translation by Ralph Alan Dale with beautiful black and white photographs by John Cleare. Also includes Chinese text.Published by Watkins Publishing, London."
@Robin & Cristina
Looks like this book is pretty special. I have requested the DAO DE JING, "Making Life Significant" by Roger Ames and David Hall from the library and plan to read it in June (dedicating June to reading more about spirituality). Looking forward to it.
I keep returning to this book. Get yourself a well illustrated copy. It is like mental decluttering. I recommend you just read small sections of it. Let it seep into you. Ultimately it is not an intellectual read. If you think you understand it....you don't.
Credible words are not eloquent;Eloquent words are not credible.
The wise are not erudite;
The erudite are not wise
The adept are not generalists;
The generalists are not adept.
"Dao de jing"
Only just started reading but seems already like wonderful journey with powerful message 🙏🏻
Jim wrote: "Credible words are not eloquent;Eloquent words are not credible.
The wise are not erudite;
The erudite are not wise
The adept are not generalists;
The generalists are not adept.
"Dao de jing""
Jim wrote: "Credible words are not eloquent;
Eloquent words are not credible.
The wise are not erudite;
The erudite are not wise
The adept are not generalists;
The generalists are not adept.
"Dao de jing""
The Tao sometimes has its greatest impact taken in its smallest doses.
