I have been liking the Tao a lot. The most important thing that I realized while reading these parts of the Tao was that it was not as different from other eastern religions. I thought that just because they were different, their ideals would completely differ from each other, but that doesn't seem to be the case according to the religious texts we have read until now.
As I know other people think also, reading the Tao is very easy, and most of the teachings are interesting and easy to understand. There were some quotes and things that I really liked a lot, which I can't wait to share with you.
The first is said right at the beginning of what we had to read for today, and it is as follows: "What do you mean by "Accept misfortune as the human condition?" / Misfortune comes from having a body. / Without a body, how could there be misfortune? (13)" I definitely liked this a lot, because it mentions something that is critical in Buddhism. Buddhism says that if you are completely away from your body, then you won't be exposed to normal suffering like pain, sickness, and death. Whenever you understand that the body doesn't have a mind, but the mind has a body to use merely as a tool, then you will stop being vulnerable to suffering. I liked a lot that the Tao made a reference to this Buddhist idea.
The next thing I want to talk about is more of a question than a comment. "The ancient masters were subtle, mysterious, profound, responsive. (15)" I don't understand who the "ancient masters" refers to. Didn't Lao-Tsu write this? Wasn't he an "ancient master?" That is something I would like to know, or understand if Lao was just like a person who interpreted the teachings of ancient masters, or if he was one himself.
What I was interested in after that is also kind of a question. "Give up learning, and put an end to your troubles. (20)" This quote was strange to me, because I think I have liked all quotes and teachings in the Tao except this one. I don't understand if by "learning" they mean learning the Tao also, or what types of learning they want followers to stop having. It is weird that a religious text says not to learn.
Something that was really surprising was that I thought that the narrator of the book until now was Lao-Tsu, but I don't think he would say this: "Others have more than they need, but I alone have nothing. / I am a fool. Oh yes! I am confused. (20)" I don't really think the narrator is confused, because just by writing the book I am sure a lot of things are understandable.
The next line has been said over and over again in these poems, and I am not very sure why: "He who does not trust enough / Will not be trusted. (23)" I know this quote is important, and I understand its meaning, it's just that I don't know why they have to repeat it. There are many quotes that are important and all, but I don't think any is repeated as much as this one. I wonder why it is so special.
This line is very interesting, because it can connect with one of the things I said some paragraphs ago that questions the narrator's authority in the Tao religion. "According to the followers of the Tao, "These are extra food / and unnecessary luggage... (24)" Again I wonder why the narrator doesn't include himself in the "followers of the Tao." Wow, this is getting very strange.
The last quote I want to share today is one that I think is very pretty, and it makes lots of sense. "Know the white, / But keep the black! / Be an example to the world! (28)" I really like this, because it means that you have to be good, but not forget that bad exists. You have to keep your eyes open to be able to differentiate between black and white, but not let yourself be influenced. I leave you with that quote!
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