“Thoughts from Tao-te Ching” makes several references to the Tao. The Tao, in my opinion, seem to be ideas on the best way for a country to be run. Although, it is referred to often in the piece it is never directly stated what the Tao means. However, there are several verses that help to clarify what the Tao actually means.
Lao-Tzu helps us comprehend what it means by illustrating the ways of the Tao. By giving us several examples of things that would and wouldn’t occur Lao-Tzu is able to create a picture for us allowing us to better understand what it means. One of these examples would be on the bottom of page 24 when Lao-Tzu talks about one who rules are based on that of the Tao. This verse discusses how ruling by Tao would not involve using force or using force as a weapon. This implies that the Tao way is not oppressive, forceful, or puts use to strong-hold techniques. This one passage alone helps us gain a better idea of what is or isn’t considered following the way of the Tao. This in turn, allows us as readers to get a better understanding of what Tao means. This along with several other verses help sculpt a definition of Tao for us as readers and inquirers.
Lao-Tzu is also able to explain what it means to be in harmony with Tao using this technique. Through several other verses he describes some of the causes of following the Tao and of not following the Tao. A perfect example of this would be on page 26 when he compares a country who follows the Tao to one that doesn’t. The one that follows the Tao seems has positive attributes and the one that doesn’t has negative attributes. The positive implications of following the Tao is scattered throughout the piece suggesting that to be in harmony with Tao is to benefit and thrive in life.
3 comments:
I think I agree with Bobbie. I'm not sure if he's trying to say this, but I think Taoism is more a philosophy, or way of life, than a religion. It gives interesting ideas on how a ruler can do his/her job better. The only problem I had with this post is that, though it tries to analyze the reading, it fails to answer any of the three prereading questions on page 22 of A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for College Writers.
Great blog, I liked how you used lots of examples from the reading and talked about them. I enjoyed the reading and thought that the class discution helped to clear some miss understandings up about some particular lines where Lao-Tzu explained that when the Tao is lost goodness is found.
You make a very valid point that the Tao is indeed a method to life that leads to a good one. It makes perfect sense to some that by doing nothing, one can achieve anything. Thus is the force of nature, the Tao.
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