Monthly Archives: November 2006

Lao Tsu, as he often does, presents us first with a series of four opposites that are somehow necessary for each other. We have shrinking and expansion, failure and strength, casting down and being raised up, and receiving and giving. … Continue reading →

Living my whole life in New Orleans, except for two months following Hurricane Katrina, Lao Tsu’s words seem familiar. Passersby may stop for music and good food It is human nature to be drawn to the pleasures of the senses. … Continue reading →

In an earlier post I talked about the idea of Flow in psychology. In Chapter Thirty-Four Lao Tsu writes, “The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.” As we considered flow earlier in the text, … Continue reading →

Knowing others is wisdom; Knowing the self is enlightenment. For any philosopher the ancient Greek aphorism carved on the Temple of Apollo at Delphi is a familiar thought, one which is well-worn and comfortable like a favorite walking stick. But … Continue reading →

The Tao is forever undefined. Lao Tsu says that in its unformed state The Tao is small, though it cannot be grasped. I am reminded of the Katha Upanishad where it is said that the Self, or Atman, is thumb-sized. … Continue reading →