I still think about the beautiful second-edition copy of Jung's Tao Te Ching translation I saw for £200 in a bookshop. I couldn't justify the expense at the time, and I know when I finally get my hands on it, the wait will have been worth it. Some great examples from the book highlighted here, and I hope it inspires others to explore the rest of Tao Te Ching. Thank you for this!
I appreciate your distillation Rowan. Topics I have explored with who I call my life teachers. For me, there is endless fascination around how so many teachers and traditions offer us the same messages. Soaking in these reminders today. Thank you
One of the first Daoist works I owned in the 70's. So powerful, shaped a lot of my thinking. Put it aside for a while (or did I? Maybe just following the advice!). But now realising it plays significantly into my Tai Chi practice and wanting to delve again into it, and other works, again.
Great post! I recommend checking out the 81 Moons edition translated by Steven Robert Allen. I find some of it to be more poetic than the Stephen Mitchell version most people read. It also features illustrations and commentary if you're into that.
I still think about the beautiful second-edition copy of Jung's Tao Te Ching translation I saw for £200 in a bookshop. I couldn't justify the expense at the time, and I know when I finally get my hands on it, the wait will have been worth it. Some great examples from the book highlighted here, and I hope it inspires others to explore the rest of Tao Te Ching. Thank you for this!
I appreciate your distillation Rowan. Topics I have explored with who I call my life teachers. For me, there is endless fascination around how so many teachers and traditions offer us the same messages. Soaking in these reminders today. Thank you
One of the first Daoist works I owned in the 70's. So powerful, shaped a lot of my thinking. Put it aside for a while (or did I? Maybe just following the advice!). But now realising it plays significantly into my Tai Chi practice and wanting to delve again into it, and other works, again.
The great thing about these ideas are how they stay with us.
By nature taoism is simple – so no need for extraneous study.
Love you're doing Tai Chi, I did Chi Gong for a while, need to get back into it.
Thanks Jeb.
Awesome post. That book is moving to the top of my list. Looking forward to checking out your past and future content
Thanks Kyle.
New post coming out today.
Lesson 1 means, at least in part, “Don't pay any attention to Alan Watts!”
No don't do that.
Alan Watts was the impetus behind this post 😂
I had drifted from Tao. Thanks for the reminder.
My pleasure Michael.
Chapter 9
Holding a cup and overfilling it
Cannot be as good as stopping short
Pounding a blade and sharpening it
Cannot be kept for long.
Gold and jade fill up the room
No one is able to protect them
Wealth and position bring arrogance
And leave disasters upon oneself.
When achievement is completed, fame is attained
Withdraw oneself
This is the Tao of Heaven
Whose not who’s
Correction is needed.
Great post! I recommend checking out the 81 Moons edition translated by Steven Robert Allen. I find some of it to be more poetic than the Stephen Mitchell version most people read. It also features illustrations and commentary if you're into that.
Say it louder. Our essay on this very topic may be of interest: https://greatconversationpublication.substack.com/p/adam-smith-s-timeless-critique-of-the-mercantilist-impulse?r=48nto9