Upsoaring wings: Indefinable and one

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.