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Posts posted by volcaniclastic
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I've taken a recent interest in taoism, and I'd like to incorporate it from a pagan perspective. But where do I start?
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You cannot read about the Tao, you must be the Tao. You can't describe the Tao, you must experience the Tao (blah, blah, blah)...but how am I to do this if I don't know what taoism is first?
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I've read Tao of Pooh (twice, in the last two days) - and there is definitely something to be desired in Taoism, in my opinion. Is the Tao Te Ching hard to read?
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I've browsed the site, but there is so much. Some starting points would be appreciated.
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Thanks!
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New to Taoism
in General Discussion
Posted
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I hadn't thought of it that way before. Tao doesn't seem so great and mysterious that way.
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I'll take a look for it next time I'm at the bookstore. Mind, I may have to buy it online - the Taoism section of the bookstore nearby is only a half shelf worth of books.
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I found a version online last night and printed it, translated by S. Mitchell. I don't recall what website I found it at, but I've read a few chapters of it so far. Also, I found an online copy of the TTC - a modern translation by Ron Hogan, which pretty much takes the TTC and paraphrases it into something more modern and understandable. Example:
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Chapter 1:
If you can talk about it,
It ain't Tao.
If it has a name,
It's just another thing.
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Tao doesn't have a name.
Names are for ordinary things.
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Stop wanting stuff,
It keeps you from seeing what's real.
When you want stuff,
All you see are things.
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Those two sentences mean the same thing.
Figure them out,
and you've got it made.
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Some of his translations are actually pretty funny. And I've found it helpful to read the original chapter, and then read his chapter - it makes more sense that way.
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But I will definitely pick up the Tao of Daily Living next time I get a chance. Do you know if the Idiot's Guide to Taoism is any good?