The philosopher Laozi (Lao Tzu) may or may not be an actual
historical figure, but the followers of Taoism, and place him somewhere in the
Sixth Century BCE. He may have written the Tao
Te Ching, or he may have compiled the writings; or he may not have existed
at all. Nonetheless, there are poems ascribed to him, and we’ll have a couple
today.
Perhaps because my own experiences have been so unbalanced, I find
it hard to embrace the serene detachment of Taoism; I find Zen challenging, as
is trying to meditate. I mean—grasping the intangible, and all. Viz:
“Look, It Cannot Be Seen”
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, they are one.
From above it is not bright;
From below it is not dark:
Unbroken thread beyond description.
It returns to nothingness.
Form of the formless,
Image of the imageless,
It is called indefinable and beyond
imagination.
Stand before it - there is no beginning.
Follow it and there is no end.
Stay with the Tao, Move with the present.
Knowing the ancient beginning is the essence of
Tao.
Laozi
was a proponent of small government, so anti-authoritarians and libertarians
down the ages have espoused his principles, on left and right. I can’t say I
agree with it, but it’s telling that his explanation for human poverty is still
cogent more than two millennia on.
“Why
Are People Starving?
Why are people starving?
Because the rulers eat up the money in taxes.
Therefore the people
are starving.
Why are the people rebellious?
Because the rulers interfere too much
. Therefore they are rebellious.
Why do people think so little of death?
Because the rulers demand too much of life.
Therefore the people take life lightly.
Having to live on, one knows better than to
value life too much.
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