Tao te ching_ annotated & explained - Derek Lin [6]
In the West, the Tao has veered away from its generic roots and taken on an aura of exotic mystique. Those of us who cling to this misconception may be surprised to encounter Asians who casually speak of the Tao of Jesus or the Tao of science. On the other hand, if we connect with the original meaning, we will see that the Tao is truly for everyone, regardless of religious orientation—or lack thereof.
Furthermore, understanding the Tao helps remove us from a frame of mind that demands strict dualistic, either-or categories. To a mind that works in such dualisms, the question “Do you believe in God?” may be perfectly sensible. Yet, from the all-encompassing Taoist point of view, asking “Do you believe in the Tao?” makes as much sense as “Do you believe in your height?” Everyone has a certain height; this is something not subject to belief or disbelief. Similarly, everyone has a particular way—a uniquely individual outlook on life—and there is nothing we can do to affirm or deny it. Therefore, no one has to abandon or compromise his or her faith in order to “believe” in the Tao. Your Tao has always been and will always be a part of you.
In this all-inclusive sense, every one of us is already on a path of some sort, so we are all travelers on the Tao. Those of us who become aware of this and actively seek further understanding by studying the ancient Chinese sages are part of a more specialized group. We are not necessarily Taoists in the religious sense, but we cultivate the Tao in our lives, so the term Tao cultivator can be an appropriate designation. Membership in this group requires nothing more than an active interest in the Tao; by picking up this book you have already made yourself part of this time-honored tradition.
One characteristic of Tao cultivators is the understanding that the Tao does not have to be personified. It is the Ultimate Principle, not a supernatural being with human traits. Therefore, using a flame—a manifestation of energy—to represent it is better than using a painting or a sculpture of some human likeness. This is why the Mu Light is on the cover of this book. Mu is a reference to the nurturing nature of the Tao; Light represents divinity. The inscription behind the flame reads wu ji, meaning “without boundaries” and referring to the infinity of existence. When lit, the Mu Light casts its shadows through the inscription, symbolizing the way reality reflects the patterns of the Great Tao.
Ultimate Purpose
The ultimate purpose of the Tao Te Ching is to provide us with wisdom and insights that we can apply to life. If we cannot do that, then it doesn’t matter how well we understand the passages. The true Tao must be lived.
At the cosmic level, the Tao of the macrocosm is represented by the laws of physics. They describe the universe and its manifestations, such as light, electricity, gravity, and so on. These things exist and have real effects no matter what we think of them. The gravity of the sun exerts its pull on the planets whether we “believe” in it or not.
At the personal level, the Tao of the microcosm is no less descriptive and useful. Its principles describe the human sphere and its manifestations, such as love, hate, peace, violence, and so on. These principles are just as real as the laws of physics; they function just as predictably and inexorably regardless of our opinions.
Lao Tzu’s purpose is to illustrate these principles. If we can understand interpersonal forces among people as clearly as we understand interplanetary forces among heavenly bodies, then we, too, can glide through life as effortlessly and precisely as spacecraft flying through the solar system. The ultimate worth of any translation