The Tao Te Ching: A New Approach Backward Down the Path

By Jerry O'Dalton

A practical guide to the mystical and a mystical guide to the practical, this book results from a painstaking comparison of thirty editions of the Tao Te Ching. The chapters of the ancient original work, synthesized from the author's comparisons, are each followed by detailed paraphrases. These explain the Tao more clearly, yet retain the shrouded truth of the original.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GreenDragonBooks
• Release date: Sep 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9780893346799

Book preview

1.

THE TRANSCENDENTAL TAO

Paraphrase:

1:1      Something about which we can know nothing existed before time and space. Call it Tao. But recognize that we cannot correctly name it. Names define and limit. The something which we will call Tao is undefined and limitless.

1:2      This something was the origin of the universe and its workings. Once it showed itself as the physical universe, through natural process, it became everything in the universe. Thus it is the mother of all things.

1:3      It is only by removing all desire and blanking the mind that we can participate in the mystical subtlety of Tao. With a desire for knowledge we can see and understand the manifestations of Tao. These two approaches differ, in that the first is intuitive and mystical, while the second is logical and rational. Though they differ in name, either approach works because ultimately they are the same. Recognizing this unity is an intuitive insight into the nature of Tao. Accumulation of such insights leads to a profound, mystical understanding and oneness with Tao.

For Thought:

In the Western world we are trained from an early age to use rational, logical, linear thought. We are encouraged to discount the value of intuition. The key to understanding Tao is to discard expectations and preconceived notions about logic and intuition. Recognize that intuitive understanding may be the result of your unconscious and illogical mind assimilating and organizing information in ways that your conscious and logical mind cannot.

For Action:

Think back through your experience. Identify times when you just knew that an answer to a problem or resolution of a situation was right. Write down one instance which seems especially significant along with your recollection of the actual outcome of your intuition. Remember that neither intuition nor logic are right one hundred percent of the time. The key is in using both left-brain logic and right-brain intuition to achieve a balanced approach to life.

Related Reading:

Section 1:1     Read 25 (all)

Section 1:2     Read 4 (all), 14 (all)

Section 1:3     Read 21 (all), 40:2, 42:1

2.

RECOGNIZING DUALITIES

Paraphrase:

2:1     By defining a concept we define its opposite. Thus the original duality of being and non-being is mirrored in the dualities of the physical world. If one thing is difficult, there must be something else which is easy by comparison. The same is true for long and short, high and low, and so on.

2:2     Sages practice action without deeds. They teach by example. Natural processes go on around them, but sages do not start them. They work without dwelling on rewards or noteriety. They accomplish results without trumpeting their own achievements. Because they demand no credit, people are happy to give them credit.

For Thought:

One of the keys to Taoist thought is the recognition of dualities. All processes have active and passive principles. All physical conditions have opposites. Most failures come from thinking of the dualities as polarities. Instead of seeing active and passive aspects of action as complementary, we label one as good, automatically making the other bad, and try to ignore or eliminate the other. This makes no more sense than trying to cut a magnet in two to remove one of the poles.

For Action:

Pick a personal or business situation in which you can control the flow of events, either by your own actions or by directing the actions of others. Before you act or direct others to do so, look closely at the process which is unfolding. Identify the action which you can initiate that will encounter the least reaction or resistance from others, while forwarding your goals the most. Don’t forget to consider whether things will go the way you want if you do nothing.

Related Reading:

Section 2:1     Read 40:2

Section 2:2     Read 29:1, 43:2, 47 (all), 48 (all), 57:3, 63:1

3.

ABANDONING DESIRES AND STRATEGY

Paraphrase:

3:1      Holding one person up as an example for others will cause jealousy and contention. If you attach great value to material goods, then people will try to steal them. If you advertise material things as being highly desirable, then people will lose their focus.

3:2     Sages recognize these truths. So they lead others by emptying their minds of superficial and artificial desires. They attend to the natural, basic needs of people. They weaken ego-serving ambition. They increase the natural potency and power of people.

3:3     When people act without self-serving strategy or desire for gain and do not use cleverness to interfere with the natural flow of process, order will