I’m not talking about the “Leroy Jethro Gibbs” type of rules.
I am referring to Chapter 8 of the Tao te Ching. If you’re not into that kind of reading, stay with me. I think you might appreciate the wisdom in this chapter.
Chapter 8 is such a good one to me! I referred to it in a post a couple of years ago. I wasn’t really doing a comprehensive study on the Tao at that time, just kind of picking and choosing random readings as the mood struck me.
Now, in an effort to further understand the Tao, I’m reading two versions of the book and providing my thoughts as I try to sort through what I’ve read. One version is a paper book that I have, by Stephen Mitchell, and the other is a free online version by J. Legge. If you would like to follow along, you can find my writings here.
In addition to those two translations, I’ve also begun reading my brand new copy of Tao Te Ching: An Intuitive Interpretation by Robert M. Jankel. Since I’ve gotten to chapter 8 in my regular Tao study, I am picking up there in the new book.
I feel like this chapter provides a set of very good and succinct rules by which to live life.
From the Mitchell version:
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In governing, don’t try to control.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
I find the Legge translation to be a bit cryptic and even more so in this chapter, the language somewhat esoteric. Of course, that translation was made in the 1800s, so we might expect the language to be very unlike that of today. If you want to take a look at it, here is a link: https://www.sacred-texts.com/tao/taote.htm
The Jankel interpretation is similar to Mitchell’s. Following is an excerpt to correlate with the above passage. While there are some notable differences, there are also similarities and I feel like the directives in both interpretations are very basic, and very good and true, words to live by.
In a house, look for the proper location.
In thinking, dwell on the profound.
In choosing a friend, look for a kind heart.
In speech, be true to yourself.
In governing, maintain the basic harmony.
In business, employ competence.
In making your move, bide your time.
I love this! Doesn’t it cover just about all the bases? Between both of the versions, to me it is saying (in a nutshell), live a good, fair, and thoughtful life, and let’s do our best to do the right and true thing, and won’t the world be a much nicer place.
Mr. Jankel’s book also provides yet another version of this chapter (as he does for all the chapters), this second one being more poetic and less “concrete”. Oh! and he also has included some of his own interpretative illustrations, which elevates the book to a work of art.
Out of respect to both authors (and that thing called copyright!), I will leave my excerpts to what I posted above. If you are interested in reading more of this ancient spiritual work, head over to amazon and pick up a copy of either – or both – books:
Tao te Ching by Stephen Mitchell
Tao Te Ching: An Intuitive Interpretation by Robert M. Jankel
What are you thinking about today?
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