Tao Te Wednesday

12/14/2011

The Tao doesn't take sides;
it gives birth to both good and evil.
The Master doesn't take sides;
she welcomes both saints and sinners.

The Tao is like a bellows:
it is empty yet infinitely capable.
The more you use it, the more it produces;
the more you talk of it, the less you understand.

Hold on to the center. Tao #5

mistah charley, ph.d. link

12/14/2011 01:34:09 am

[I look for a translation that is different in some way - this one uses phrases from the original Chinese - "10,000 things", "straw dogs"]

THE WAY OF THE ACTION OF THE SOUL

A New Translation of the Tao Te Ching
by Alan Sheets and Barbara Tovey

Chapter 5

Heaven and Earth do not have human sentiments.
Ten-thousand things (everything) have the importance of a straw dog.*

The sages are not sentimental, thus they act toward the hundred families (everyone) as if they are straw dogs.

The space between Heaven and Earth is like the space inside of a flute!
It is hollow, yet does not get exhausted.
The more active it is, the more it produces.

Too many words bring about exhaustion.
It is better to hold your center.

*Straw dog: A sacrificial straw sculpture in the shape of a dog that was carefully maintained until it was used and then it was discarded.

Laura Novak

12/14/2011 01:47:11 am

Thank you again for this, Mistah Charley. I like the fact that this translation mirrors my Stephen Mitchell more closely than other weeks that we post these.

Too much of anything can bring about exhaustion.

And the ten thousand things: the ten thousand Christmas presents that everyone runs around buying this time of year. Straw dogs in their own way.

Thank you again for this!

Granny j link

12/14/2011 02:17:43 am

I also that you, Mistah Charley, for the alternate translations that you provide.

V-A

12/14/2011 03:07:28 am

"Heaven and Earth do not have human sentiments." Thank you, M.Charley. I need those exact words this morning. (and you too, LN)

curiouser

12/14/2011 05:23:12 am

This speaks to what is apparently keeping me from higher consciousness. I'm simply not ready to let a particular evil-doer off the hook.

Ottoline

12/14/2011 06:01:56 am

I too love the two translations. Thank you! Curiouser: me neither, and I mean her enablers/funders, too.

Sherryn

12/14/2011 01:04:33 pm

Thanks for both translations

@Laura - You're so right about the straw dog gifts. Time is the greatest gift, it's a shame we can't buy it, wrap it, and put it under a tree.

V-A

12/14/2011 10:31:39 pm

@curiouser, otto. I get a certain comfort in accepting that the earth and sky and sea are calmly neutral. To pursue evildoers is a human endeavor. So I"m not a true taoist. But believing that life does not "reward" or "condemn" helps me beyond the whole "it's not fair" thing. Which I really needed yesterday. . .

because on my street, at 7am, the Feds raided a suspected Child Pornography ring. Right across the street. They loaded up computer equipment for two hours, while we all gaped. The suspects are strange, unattractive people. The woman carries a bible and tries to talk about Jesus to her neighbors. The suspects are still free and about. One neighbor said we should not judge them yet. I've judged and hanged them. And blessed my tax payer dollars.

Laura Novak

12/15/2011 01:33:36 am

I understand Curiouser. In fact, someone wrote to me personally recently and said: "she got away with it." It's infuriating I know.

Yes, I too love both translations. Goes to show how differently people can interpret what was said "ions" ago! Also too.

And V-A, the "it's not fair" thing is stuck in my mind lately. I struggle with it. And then you highlight this terribly upsetting neighborhood (alleged) crime. How bizarre to see this. How upsetting and frightening too. Perhaps Jesus will protect her in the courtroom (snark.)

Ennealogic link

12/17/2011 10:42:46 pm

Reminds me of a saying I remember from a 4th way teacher... every stick has two ends.

And it's best to get into a position where you can see both of them at the same time.

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Laura Novak

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