Ideas to Ponder

After last week's blog entry about Dr. Dyer and the Tao Te Ching, I thought it would be interesting to share some excerpts from this fascinating and insightful book. Just a little background to get you started: "the way" means the Tao and each entry in the Tao Te Ching is numbered, rather than titled. It is difficult to explain Lao Tzu's work and Taoism without losing it's intent; so rather than explaining them and analyzing them any further at this time, I'm just going to let you read them. Ponder the words and see what comes up for you. And if it is "the way" to discuss them further later, then it will be....


I
The way that can be spoken of is not the constant way;
The name that can be named is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe
its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to
observe its manifestations.
These two are the same but diverge in name as they
issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
mystery upon mystery -
The gateway to the manifold secrets.


XXXIII
He who knows others is clever;
He who knows himself has discernment;
He who overcomes others has force;
He who overcomes himself is strong;
He who knows contentment is rich;
He who perseveres is a man of purpose;
He who does not lose his station will endure;
He who lives out his days has had a long life.


Reference: Lau, D.C, ed. (1963). Lao Tzu - Tao Te Ching; Penguin Classics. Penguin Books, Ltd.: Middlesex, England.


Have a wonderful and healthy week ahead.
Pat