Opposites have been mentioned constantly in these texts since the very beginning, and now I think I understand why they are given such importance. So far, the Tao is the central element of the whole piece, and the concept of the opposites seems to rely upon it. Or maybe its the other way around, but after all, they do connect. I am beginning to apprehend the idea of the Tao; its as a divine way of living. The way of achieving the Tao is by understanding opposites and by living in their balance. This means that in order to be divine, you can't incline towards one of the ends where in this case, one of the opposites would be found. Once your in the central point of the opposites, you'll "be divine, and you will be at one with the Tao." (Tao 16) After being "at one with the Tao", you will always be engaged with it. No, not engaged in the married way. It just means that the Tao will always prevail no matter what. Its as a soul; its body might have disappeared (died) but it will always exist (live).
"What is a good man? A teacher of a bad man." (Tao 27) Then again, opposites are being mentioned. I believe that this means that without good, there is no bad. But wait! I should be analyzing this in a deeper sense. So, a good man can not be defined without the use of bad. This indicates that even though they contrast each other, and denote exactly the opposite, they also complete each other and without one, the other is nothing at all. This quote is saying that a good person is that that can teach a bad person and moreover, make him good. A teacher is someone to follow and to admire, and since a "good man" is a teacher, that "bad man" should learn from his teacher.
My favorite saying so far in this reading is a three word quote. I think that its meaning is so powerful and influential that three words are enough to emit the message. "Accept being unimportant." (Tao 13) For some it might sound extremely dumb, but for me, it's extremely helpful and reasonable. Many of us try to be more than what we really are. This might be to gain recognition and importance, which is something that actually shouldn't be happening. We should be who we are in a balanced way; never acting upon and never acting less than our reality. So when you accept being just yourself, no matter your "importance", you will gain your balance and thus, the Tao (Or so I believe).
For me, the Tao is like a healthy diet; you can never eat too much, but you can't just completely stop eating. Balance your diet = a balanced Tao!
You might be wondering why the pictures are very relaxing and this is because the Tao makes me relaxed. It takes me into another world.
No comments:
Post a Comment