Lao Tsu's work along with the I Ching were given to me aged 14 by a teacher at a school for delinquents in Devon - run by Yanks. I was lucky enough to be born a misfit, thereby dodging anything remotely doctrinaire (due to an allergy to it - manifesting in running away ). Amongst other eccentric staff they employed a long retired British Sea Capatin ('Cap') who managed to teach me quadratic equations - unbelievable. Bar that I was left free to read, play cards, and smoke along with the 20 or so other renegades 2 miles from Tavistock. In retrospect I was truly blessed. And much like you wrote, Frances, the words of the Chinese Masters not only kept me sane but resonate more as time has passed. Btw, you are something else!!!
Funny you say that, Frances (& thank you). I've a shed load of life to share. But time's been going that fast lately, what with my other half having snuffed it 2 years back (have to do everything myself - shock horror). But I'm coming to believe I may have it - writing - in me. So when I clear the decks that would be something - while Rome burns.
If you have not come across Jed McKenna and his site Jedvaita.com (https://jedvaita.com/all-content/) by all means visit, and sign up for his newsletter, you will get a free download of his book The Tao of the Large Breasted Goddess with the Shapely Behind, which is a spoof of Lao Tse. It is sure to delight!
The 1970s featured many translations of Taoist and Zen texts. My favorite is Burton Watson's translation of Chaung Tzu. It is a short fantastic book that I read about once a year. I would also recommend several Herman Hesse novels: Siddhartha and Journey to the East are the most relevant to Chinese philosophy. They are both short powerful reads.
I love it. I read the Tao Te Ching when I was a young 'un, and I still feel its effects on me... Probably not enough, but there it is. Lovely, lovely, I was a Taoist for a long time, and then gave up ALL religions and "ways," and just wanted to not have any labels, but I loved that book. I should get a new copy, if I don't just hit the road with a backpack first... ^_^
But if Lao Tsu said "He who speaks does not know," then maybe we shouldn't listen to him, or...
yes. lao tzu is constant companion with me too since my early twenties. (and, synchronicity?) i'm including him in my current essay on the power of words to be amongst our most beguiling and powerful spiritual by-passing mechanisms.
i find lao tsu a great complement to chuang tzu. chuang tzu who might be my favourite taoist writer. perhaps equal in rank with edward de vera (aka shakespeare) and thus the two greatest taoist writers in my library.
in a 2017 yoga class i learned a breathing technique that was attributed to lao-tsu through his indian name, which i've completely forgotten. i'll see about get that out of my brain - a quick search didn't disclose it. it is a very powerful pranayama.
Frances, I know you will treasure this book. This is the best version, imo, translation into English. Everything is available for free online, you can find the books on amazon and other booksellers (stick with 2014 edition). I have been doing this meditation for over 16 years now. It is outstanding, but don't take my word for it, see for yourself! If you get the chance, go see Shen Yun, too! I had also studied Chinese philosophy in college and when I first read Zhuan Falun I knew I had found what I was always looking for!
I recently purchased this book from the folks after seeing the Shen Yun Dancers. Very interesting indeed. Falun Dafa. I am excited to continue reading it.
Kathie, be sure to read it all the way to the end, many people get a lot of interference when they pick up this book. Could be phone rings, doorbell, noises outside, family yelling, etc. Just stick with it. If you have questions....read it again (beginning to end) and you will find answers to almost any questions you had. I've found it to be a remarkable book.
I live a pretty busy life so its hard to find the time to cherish the words/lessons ( quietly) .. I've made it about half thru and know I will read again and probably more then that. It is powerful and I love learning things I've have never heard before.. It is fascinating, no doubt. I'll take notice if distractions come my way when I read again. :) Thank you
Lao Tsu's work along with the I Ching were given to me aged 14 by a teacher at a school for delinquents in Devon - run by Yanks. I was lucky enough to be born a misfit, thereby dodging anything remotely doctrinaire (due to an allergy to it - manifesting in running away ). Amongst other eccentric staff they employed a long retired British Sea Capatin ('Cap') who managed to teach me quadratic equations - unbelievable. Bar that I was left free to read, play cards, and smoke along with the 20 or so other renegades 2 miles from Tavistock. In retrospect I was truly blessed. And much like you wrote, Frances, the words of the Chinese Masters not only kept me sane but resonate more as time has passed. Btw, you are something else!!!
What a fascinating story you tell, Sue! Have you thought of writing it up in autobiographical style at all?
Funny you say that, Frances (& thank you). I've a shed load of life to share. But time's been going that fast lately, what with my other half having snuffed it 2 years back (have to do everything myself - shock horror). But I'm coming to believe I may have it - writing - in me. So when I clear the decks that would be something - while Rome burns.
You are welcome. His enlightenment trilogy is very much worth reading. He is absolutely enjoyable and completely to the point.
Thank you I didn’t know about this philosopher I’ll buy the book
That is great news! xx
If you have not come across Jed McKenna and his site Jedvaita.com (https://jedvaita.com/all-content/) by all means visit, and sign up for his newsletter, you will get a free download of his book The Tao of the Large Breasted Goddess with the Shapely Behind, which is a spoof of Lao Tse. It is sure to delight!
I got to page 42 and nearly died laffin.... 🤣😂
The best is yet to come. ;-)
Finally finished reading it. That was very clever.... worth the time! Thanks! xx
The 1970s featured many translations of Taoist and Zen texts. My favorite is Burton Watson's translation of Chaung Tzu. It is a short fantastic book that I read about once a year. I would also recommend several Herman Hesse novels: Siddhartha and Journey to the East are the most relevant to Chinese philosophy. They are both short powerful reads.
I love it. I read the Tao Te Ching when I was a young 'un, and I still feel its effects on me... Probably not enough, but there it is. Lovely, lovely, I was a Taoist for a long time, and then gave up ALL religions and "ways," and just wanted to not have any labels, but I loved that book. I should get a new copy, if I don't just hit the road with a backpack first... ^_^
But if Lao Tsu said "He who speaks does not know," then maybe we shouldn't listen to him, or...
maybe just bark and waggie tails. ;)
yes. lao tzu is constant companion with me too since my early twenties. (and, synchronicity?) i'm including him in my current essay on the power of words to be amongst our most beguiling and powerful spiritual by-passing mechanisms.
i find lao tsu a great complement to chuang tzu. chuang tzu who might be my favourite taoist writer. perhaps equal in rank with edward de vera (aka shakespeare) and thus the two greatest taoist writers in my library.
in a 2017 yoga class i learned a breathing technique that was attributed to lao-tsu through his indian name, which i've completely forgotten. i'll see about get that out of my brain - a quick search didn't disclose it. it is a very powerful pranayama.
Yes! If you like Lao Tzu, you'll love Chaung Tzu. It's a fantastic book.
'Success is returning to the root'
Phrase which has been on my mind with all the forward thinking, "Progressivism".
Thanks for re-mind-ing me!
Got my copy off of the shelf. The first passage I turned to was the preface to what the first commenter had posted-
"When the wisest scholars hear about the Tao, they put it into practice."...
Lao Zi said, “When
a wise person hears the Tao, this person will practice it
diligently. When an average person hears it, this person
will practice it on and off. When a foolish person hears
it, this person will laugh at it loudly. If this person doesn’t
laugh at it loudly, it’s not the Tao.”
--From Zhuan Falun, Lecture 9
https://en.falundafa.org/eng/pdf/ZFL2014.pdf
Many thanks for the link. Interesting!
Frances, I know you will treasure this book. This is the best version, imo, translation into English. Everything is available for free online, you can find the books on amazon and other booksellers (stick with 2014 edition). I have been doing this meditation for over 16 years now. It is outstanding, but don't take my word for it, see for yourself! If you get the chance, go see Shen Yun, too! I had also studied Chinese philosophy in college and when I first read Zhuan Falun I knew I had found what I was always looking for!
Shen Yun was fantastic.. :) I will see that again next year. :)
I recently purchased this book from the folks after seeing the Shen Yun Dancers. Very interesting indeed. Falun Dafa. I am excited to continue reading it.
Kathie, be sure to read it all the way to the end, many people get a lot of interference when they pick up this book. Could be phone rings, doorbell, noises outside, family yelling, etc. Just stick with it. If you have questions....read it again (beginning to end) and you will find answers to almost any questions you had. I've found it to be a remarkable book.
I live a pretty busy life so its hard to find the time to cherish the words/lessons ( quietly) .. I've made it about half thru and know I will read again and probably more then that. It is powerful and I love learning things I've have never heard before.. It is fascinating, no doubt. I'll take notice if distractions come my way when I read again. :) Thank you
The way which is the way cannot be spoken of.