| From a Western point of view one of the most | | | | they need to. |
| compelling but difficult to understand of the ancient | | | | Stated this way it is simple, and it is. If a person could |
| texts is the Tao Ti Ching. The Chinese characters do | | | | live there life this way they could find peace in all things |
| not translate to an exact Western meaning, and | | | | under any circumstance. The full meaning however is |
| translations vary considerably from each other | | | | so subtle that it is beyond telling. |
| because of the necessity to have a concept of the | | | | In other Taoist writing there are references to facts |
| meaning. It is a book of concepts that can only be felt, | | | | like 'The ancient ones could walk on snow without |
| not written. | | | | leaving a footprint.' This is often taken as being a |
| I have been reading the Tao Ti Ching for many years. | | | | statement of spiritual accomplishment or creating |
| It is simple but illusive. | | | | miracles. This is a misunderstanding. It is a call to walk |
| My understanding is that opening (that comes in many | | | | softly on the earth. God created the earth, treat it |
| forms), 'That which can be named is not The Way,' is | | | | gently. |
| a simple statement that God is beyond our | | | | Unfortunately there any number of 'Masters' and |
| comprehension. Even translating 'The Way' as being | | | | 'Gurus' out there willing to teach (for a fee) the hidden |
| God is difficult. It is a concept that seems to a duality | | | | secrets of Taoism. This is what Taoists call using 'side |
| of God, as an entity, and a path to be followed. | | | | door' techniques. In the Taoist texts this is referred to |
| This sets the Classic Taoist problem. If God (or the | | | | as living in the flower, not the fruit. |
| Path) is beyond our comprehension how can we live | | | | Taoism, and The Way, cannot be taught. Self |
| according to Gods will? This could also be how do we | | | | proclaimed Masters and Gurus cannot help. A true |
| follow the path if we cannot conceive the path. All the | | | | master of The Way teaches by being, does nothing, |
| way there is a duality of God and living our daily lives. | | | | but shows others the way without showing. This is |
| Many translations begin to answer this question with | | | | what the Tao Ti Ching is. It is an invitation to follow, not |
| 'The Way gave birth to the ten thousand'; God created | | | | a text book on how to. |
| everything. This could also be along the lines that life | | | | The eighty one chapters of the Tao Ti Ching are |
| creates itself. | | | | fascinating. They are not to be read once. Each time |
| The overall answer is that since the incomprehensible | | | | there will be a little more added to understanding. |
| created everything, to live according the way the | | | | Every time is the first time and each time helps to |
| incomprehensible intended we need to live in unison | | | | understand the elusive Way a little more with the |
| with everything that has been created. The duality | | | | knowledge that the ultimate Way will always remain |
| here is that it can also means allow life to lead and | | | | beyond our understanding. |
| allow things to happen when they need to and how | | | | |