#TTC Chapter 21

Here's today's chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments, or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/21/

The greatest Virtue is to follow Tao and Tao alone.
The Tao is elusive and intangible.
Oh, it is intangible and elusive, and yet within is image.
Oh, it is elusive and intangible, and yet within is form.
Oh, it is dim and dark, and yet within is essence.
This essence is very real, and therein lies faith.
From the very beginning until now its name has never been forgotten.
Thus I perceive the creation.
How do I know the ways of creation?

Because of this.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 20 Here's the twentieth chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Another long one today! Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/20/

Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles.

Is there a difference between yes and no?
Is there a difference between good and evil?
Must I fear what others fear? What nonsense! Other people are contented, enjoying the sacrificial feast of the ox.
In spring some go to the park, and climb the terrace,
But I alone am drifting, not knowing where I am.
Like a newborn babe before it learns to smile,
I am alone, without a place to go.
Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing.
I am a fool.
Oh, yes! I am confused.
Others are clear and bright, But I alone am dim and weak.
Others are sharp and clever,
But I alone am dull and stupid. Oh, I drift like the waves of the sea,
Without direction, like the restless wind.
Everyone else is busy,
But I alone am aimless and depressed.
I am different.
I am nourished by the great mother.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 19

A nice one today. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/19/

Give up sainthood, renounce wisdom, And it will be a hundred times better for everyone.

Give up kindness, renounce morality, And men will rediscover filial piety and love.

Give up ingenuity, renounce profit, And bandits and thieves will disappear.

These three are outward forms alone; they are not sufficient in themselves.
It is more important To see the simplicity,
To realise one's true nature,

To cast off selfishness And temper desire.

#taoTeChing #taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 18

Here's #TaoTeChing chapter 18 people. What do you think Lao Tzu is trying to say? Let me know in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/18/

When the great Tao is forgotten, Kindness and morality arise.
When wisdom and intelligence are born, The great pretense begins.

When there is no peace within the family, Filial piety and devotion arise.

When the country is confused and in chaos, Loyal ministers appear.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 17

Here's today's chapter from the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/17/

The very highest if barely known.
Then comes that which people know and love.
Then that which is feared,
Then that which is despised.

Who does not trust enough will not be trusted.

When actions are performed Without unnecessary speech,
People say, "We did it!"

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 16

Here's #TaoTeChing chapter 16. Let me know your thoughts on it in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/16/

Empty yourself of everything.
Let the mind become still.
The ten thousand things rise and fall while the Self watches their return.
They grow and flourish and then return to the source.
Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.
The way of nature is unchanging.
Knowing constancy is insight.
Not knowing constancy leads to disaster.
Knowing constancy, the mind is open.
With an open mind, you will be openhearted.
Being openhearted, you will act royally.
Being royal, you will attain the divine.
Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
And though the body dies, the Tao will never pass away.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 15

Another long #TaoTeChing chapter today! Let me know what it means to you in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/15/

The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive.
The depth of their knowledge is unfathomable.
Because it is unfathomable, All we can do is describe their appearance.
Watchful, like men crossing a winter stream.
Alert, like men aware of danger.
Courteous, like visiting guests.
Yielding like ice about to melt.
Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Hollow, like caves.
Opaque, like muddy pools.

Who can wait quietly while the mud settles? Who can remain still until the moment of action?
Observers of the Tao do not seek fulfillment.
Not seeking fulfillment, they are not swayed by desire for change.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 14

Another long one today! Let me know what you think it means in the comments.

Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.

Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form.
Listen, it cannot be heard - it is beyond sound.
Grasp, it cannot be held - it is intangible.
These three are indefinable;
Therefore they are joined in one.

From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark:
An unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
The form of the formless,
The image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond imagination.

Stand before it and there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the ancient Tao,
Move with the present.

Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of Tao.

#taoism #taoteching #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 13

Thirteenth Chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments!

Accept disgrace willingly.
Accept misfortune as the human condition.

What do you mean by "Accept disgrace willingly"?
Accept being unimportant.
Do not be concerned with loss or gain.
This is called "accepting disgrace willingly."

What do you mean by "Accept misfortune as the human condition"?
Misfortune comes from having a body.
Without a body, how could there be misfortune?

Surrender yourself humbly;
then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self;
then you can truly care for all things.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 12

Here's the twelfth chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think in the comments or at http://dia.so/18b

The five colors blind the eye.
The five tones deafen the ear.
The five flavors dull the taste.
Racing and hunting madden the mind.
Precious things lead one astray.

Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not by what he sees.
He lets go of that and chooses this.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 10

Longer one today! Also at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/10/

Carrying body and soul and embracing the one,
Can you avoid separation?
Attending fully and becoming supple,
Can you be as a newborn babe?
Washing and cleansing the primal vision,
Can you be without stain?
Loving all men and ruling the country,
Can you be without cleverness?
Opening and closing the gates of heaven,
Can you play the role of woman?
Understanding and being open to all things,
Are you able to do nothing?
Giving birth and nourishing,
Bearing yet not possessing,
Working yet not taking credit,
Leading yet not dominating,
This is the Primal Virtue.

#taoism #philosophy #taoteching

#TTC Chapter 9

Here's chapter nine of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/9/

Better to stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.

Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.

Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 8

Here's chapter eight (my favourite!) of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/8/

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 daily life, be competent.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 6

Here's the sixth chapter of the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments, or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/6/

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.

Nice and short today!

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 5

Here's the fifth chapter from the #TaoTeChing. Let me know what you think it means in the comments, or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/5/

Heaven and Earth are impartial;
They see the ten thousand things as straw dogs.
The wise are impartial;
They see the people as straw dogs.

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

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 4

Here's the fourth chapter. Let me know what you think it means in the comments, or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/4/

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 gods.

#TaoTeChing #taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 3

Here's chapter three. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/3/

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 men lack knowledge and desire, then clever people will not try to interfere.
If nothing is done, then all will be well.

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 2

Here's today's chapter. Let me know what you think it means in the comments or at http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/chapters/2/

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

#taoism #philosophy

#TTC Chapter 1

Here it is people, the first chapter from the #TaoTeChing! Have a read and let me know what you think it means.

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 the ten thousand things.

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations.

These two spring from the same source but differ in name;
this appears as darkness.

Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.

#taoism #philosophy

The #TaoTeChing project page is up and going! http://waterpigs.co.uk/tao-te-ching/ I'll have an rss feed up tomorrow, in time for the first chapter on Monday. Looking forward to getting your responses! #taoism #philosophy