Once Upon A Blog

Now that we are “deep” into the book of Tao Te Ching, we find that it is not as similar as the other biblical and moral texts we have been reading.  Basically what the text says is that by not doing you will be rewarded. The lack of action (as referred to in Bhagavad Gita) can lead to the reward. Basically by avoiding to do something, you receive a benefit. The idea of shining among a society is thrown into the text. And as stated before, by not displaying yourself you will receive bigger shine.

In the series of “chapters”, or poems we had assigned, there were several current dilemmas discussed. The common QUESTion was referred to as well. Why do good people suffer? Or why is life unjust?

The Tao Te Ching deals with this dilemma,

 “Accept misfortune as a human condition.” (THREE)

Basically what the quotation is referring to is that we all have bodies, and as result of this gift we must have consequences. It is not a random act. It is a natural experience that everyone and everything with a body must undergo. Misfortune happens to everybody, and the timing might not be perfect. As bodies, a misfortune is like happiness, a mandatory stage in life.

Simplicity and the importance of it is referred as well. One must embrace simplicity and stop searching for things that with patience will come. One will reach Self with patience, and be virtuous with Virtue as well. It is curious how we see that Self is capitalized. As we have seen in all texts, when a word like this is capitalized it means that it refers to something of importance.

Shifting topics, the Tao is referred to as eternal. Probably suggesting the existence of an after life. It says that when the body dies, the Tao remains. As if the body was a disposable stage and that the state of Tao would mean the point where you actually start living. The discussion of an after life has been in debate for a long time, not only from behalf of the different churches but as well from the scientific part of society. The heated debate only leaves room for personal faith and beliefs. After all there is no proof that proves the existence of an after life, but the again there is no proof that it doesn’t exist.