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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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bkadoctaj's Daily Tao
#10370309 - 05/20/09 03:23 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Hello Shroomery!
Although this probably isn't the typical introduction style, I'm going to just say I look forward to many thought-provoking, humanity-fleshing discussions with all of you, and I would like to offer a taste of Taoism to this great forum. I've done a quick search of the boards and was a little disappointed to see that discussion of the Tao has been fairly dormant. Well, as the immortal Laozi (Lao Tzu, Lao Tsu, etc.) wrote:
Quote:
Between birth and death, Three in ten are followers of life, Three in ten are followers of death, And men just passing from birth to death also number three in ten.
Nonetheless, I hope to intrigue at least a few of you with the words of my favorite two philosophers - Laozi and Zhuangzi - and perhaps a few others that I believe have a similar message. That being said, this thread is not about bkadoctaj, but about the Tao. Therefore I encourage you all to post anything you find to be relevant, whether it be translated passages of Taoist works, thoughts by Taoist scholars, your own experiences and feelings, or whatever else matters to you. I also would be happy to take requests for material to post. For example, there is a similar thread made by one bkadoctaj on Grasscity. One member asked bkadoctaj to find Taoist material on "freedom and equality", to which bkadoctaj responded with a segment of Zhuangzi he believed to be relevant.
I risk saying too much; therefore, I begin with the first and second verses of Laozi's "Tao Te Ching" as translated by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English in Lao Tsu - Tao Te Ching.
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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. The gate to all mystery.
Quote:
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 complement 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.
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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redgreenvines
irregular verb
Registered: 04/08/04
Posts: 38,060
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10370521 - 05/20/09 03:58 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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ok but this is not about the government owning us is it?
and what about 1 out of ten 3 + 3 + 3 =9 is it supposed to be an incomplete summary? that would be way better than summing everything up and being wrong like that other guy.
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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I don't think it's specifically about the government owning us... But good question. That's my signature.
Oh, the implication of the missing 1/10 is that the last 1/10 knows the Tao. Well, that's my perspective on the translated text.
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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Hakim0777
aka RACKBONE!!!
Registered: 08/25/06
Posts: 8,071
Loc: PNW
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10372366 - 05/20/09 09:02 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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I dont study tao but my dick does.
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Mastamike1118
Registered: 03/29/07
Posts: 2,010
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: Hakim0777]
#10373589 - 05/21/09 12:49 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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hahha^^^ so how does this relate to us a singular entity wanting what we want/ not wanting anything in what we do not want/want? hmmmmm blah blah blah
very nice thankyou
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10375634 - 05/21/09 11:08 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
THREE
Not exalting the gifted prevents quarreling. Not collecting treasures prevents stealing. Not seeing desirable things prevents confusion of the heart. The wise therefore rule by emptying hearts and stuffing bellies, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones. If the people lack knowledge and desire, then intellectuals will not try to interfere. If nothing is done, then all will be well.
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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 whence it comes. It is the forefather of the emperors.
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10375653 - 05/21/09 11:12 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Welcome & keep the beautiful Tao Te Ching coming...
The Tao is infinite, eternal. Why is it eternal? It was never born; thus it can never die. Why is it infinite? It has no desires for itself; thus it is present for all beings.
The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled.
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: Chronic7]
#10375676 - 05/21/09 11:15 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Can you coax your mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness? Can you let your body become supple as a newborn child's? Can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light? Can you love people and lead them without imposing your will? Can you deal with the most vital matters by letting events take their course? Can you step back from you own mind and thus understand all things?
Giving birth and nourishing, having without possessing, acting with no expectations, leading and not trying to control: this is the supreme virtue.
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: Chronic7]
#10376454 - 05/21/09 01:45 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Thanks for the wonderful contributions, Chronic777. I've seen a few of your posts regarding the Tao and I'm glad you caught this thread. Those are great translations!
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10376522 - 05/21/09 01:56 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
FIVE
Heaven and earth are ruthless; They see the ten thousand things as dummies. The wise are ruthless; They see 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.
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SIX
The valley spirit never dies; It is the woman, primal mother. Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth. It is like a veil barely seen. Use it; it will never fail.
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10380143 - 05/22/09 04:23 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Colors blind the eye. Sounds deafen the ear. Flavors numb the taste. Thoughts weaken the mind. Desires wither the heart.
The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision. He allows things to come and go. His heart is open as the sky.
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champinhom
Lord Justhappensness
Registered: 03/06/09
Posts: 987
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: Chronic7]
#10380490 - 05/22/09 06:30 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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I used to have faith in the Tao--until I discovered that faith is just one more thing that comes and goes (like birds flying in through one window and out the other). After that faith went and how glad I am without it.
-------------------- My father used to say: I don't care what else you do in life, just don't be an asshole. People, forgive me when I forget what my daddy said. Cut back the proliferating list of people whose opinions can hurt you. Unless they have done or want to do you some good, their views are just not worth tracking. Saul Bellow “People are just cannibals unless they leave each other alone.” Doris Lessing Those whom the gods would save, they dower with compassion. Mr. P. Silocybin
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Chronic7
Registered: 05/08/04
Posts: 13,679
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: champinhom]
#10380738 - 05/22/09 08:04 AM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Yes!
Anything perceivable, including faith, belief or imagination are all qualities of the mind, therefore not 'it', they must all be rejected or simply seen as transient & untrue, therefore not worth attaching to
Freedom is so easy
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10381783 - 05/22/09 12:23 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
SEVEN
Heaven and earth last forever. Why do heaven and earth last forever? They are unborn, So ever living. The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead. He is detached, thus at one with all. Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.
Quote:
EIGHT
The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.
In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing.
No fight: No blame.
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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suburbanned
Stranger
Registered: 02/20/08
Posts: 2,810
Last seen: 13 years, 7 months
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10381905 - 05/22/09 12:48 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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doctaj nice to see you on the shroomery now! you were always a fav poster of mine
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Nice, I was wondering who was on here from Grasscity. Want to help me find a niche here?
How've you been?
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Subtlety is the language of experience.
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AnonymousRabbit
Comrade
Registered: 01/10/08
Posts: 8,993
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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.
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Edited by AnonymousRabbit (05/19/22 01:00 AM)
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bkadoctaj
Registered: 05/07/09
Posts: 67
Last seen: 11 years, 1 month
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Hi supernovasky. I appreciate your contribution. Well, I don't read or speak Chinese, so I certainly can't figure out which translation is the most correct or "true". The reason I'm posting this translation is simply because it is the one that resonated most deeply with me when I read it. Personally, I haven't read a better one, but I like the translations Chronic777 has been sharing.
By no means will this translation be the last one I post here (provided I'm not banned for an unforeseen reason). I'm also planning on sharing Zhuangzi at some point.
So, again, thanks for what you said. I'm not trying to find the single best translation; just trying to resonate with you all.
Please share some translations though if you want.
By the way, I believe all translators of the Tao Te Ching were affected by it, and I'm sure they translate from their life experience too.
Edited by bkadoctaj (05/22/09 01:27 PM)
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AnonymousRabbit
Comrade
Registered: 01/10/08
Posts: 8,993
Last seen: 1 year, 6 months
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.
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Edited by AnonymousRabbit (05/19/22 01:00 AM)
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery
Registered: 03/15/05
Posts: 95,368
Loc: underbelly
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Re: bkadoctaj's Daily Tao [Re: bkadoctaj]
#10382330 - 05/22/09 02:16 PM (14 years, 10 months ago) |
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There is no Tao.
Tao is dead.
Oat is Tao spelled backward.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
Edited by Icelander (05/22/09 02:17 PM)
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