Chapter 1, Tao Te Ching

I have decided to return to the reading of the Tao Te Ching, as translated by Stephen Mitchell (Mitchell advises that it is pronounced, "more or less" as Dow Deh Jing.)  The book I have has a copyright of  1988.  I will share my musings here, along with a short portion of the  daily reading.  

Very little is known about the author, Lao-tzu. I think I first heard about him when I was taking a night class in World Religions at Laney College in Oakland many years ago. The textbook, Religions of the World (also copyright 1988) I still have. In it is a picture of a wonderful incense burner that depicts Lao-tzu riding on a water buffalo.  Lao-tzu is sitting on the water buffalo cross-legged.   He is facing the viewer, while the buffalo continues on his way to the right. I remember writing about this image that still speaks to me of great calm, trust, and balance.   Something so needed today.    

When I first perused Mitchell's translation, I did not know at the time I would eventually try to walk a Christian path.  Yet, I hear Jesus' voice in this book.  I am taking a Qigong class via Zoom, and last week my teacher said, "We are at a time when all the world's faith's are sharing their jewels." I believe this, and it is my hope that we can come together in love.        

 

Chapter 1  

The tao that can be told 

is not the eternal Tao.  

The name that can be named 

is not the eternal Name.  

  

The unnamable is the eternally real. 

Naming is the origin 

of all particular things.     

   

What is God's name? I do not think we really know. Jesus was content to address  God as  Father.  God refuses to be a particular that can be clung to, but yet we are held.  We are all children of the Divine Mystery.  

       

photograph:  San Leandro, November 17, 2020, before the rains came.