11/5/2003
Gloria Shen’s character by character translation of Lao Tsu’s,” Tao Te Ching one “.Tao that can speak of is not constant Tao ;
Name can be named is not constant name.
Void (non-existence) is called the beginning of Heaven and Earth;
Existence (being) is called the mother (precursor) of 10,000 things (all things).
Therefore often without desires in order to comprehend its (Tao‘s) wonders;
Often with desires in order to comprehend manifestations.
These two originate from same but differ in name.
These two (the wonder and manifestations) are both mysteries.
Mysteries within mysteries (is) the gate to wonder.Attempting a literal translation from the character by character translation.
The Tao as spoken is not the constant Tao;
Given names are not constant names.
The void is the beginning of Heaven and Earth;
Existence is the precursor of all things.
Therefore without (the) desire (to call things by name) Tao ‘s wonders can be felt;
And with (the) desire (to call things by name) each thing can be understood.
Desire and non-desire both come from the void.
They are both mysterious.
How they are within each other is the gate to wonder.After contemplation my understanding of "one".
Tao varies;
Meaning varies.
From emptiness comes existence comes reality.
Therefore the desire to understand has no answer.
This is the beginning.
11/16/2003
There is disagreement between Christine (allied with Gloria) and me.We agree that everything is. We agree that Lao Tsu ’s ” Tao “ is a name for everything.
I believe that Tao varies. Christine believes that Tao is absolute.
I believe that meaning varies. Gloria believes that truth is absolute.
I would propose that life is dynamic. Therefore Tao varies when viewed in passing. However, when viewed in the moment* Tao is absolute.*“moment” is used figuratively. Rather than being a point in time, “moment” is a specific finite within the infinite.
11/17/2003
The all of Tao is what it is and that’s all that it is. It is manifest in the moment. It is absolute.
The essence of Tao is what it is more are less. It transcends the moment. It varies.
The truth is the word manifested by humanity at the moment. It is a judgment of the absolute.
The meaning of the truth transcends the words. It is of the essence. It varies.
I pursue the meaning of Tao from between the all and the essence. It is the place where Tao is alive with variety and I live with feeling.10/23/2003
I met with others to discuss the meaning of Tao Te Ching “five”. An attempt at literal translation (by Gloria Shen) is;Heaven/earth (is) not benevolent. They take the 10,000 things (all the things) as straw dogs.
Sages are not benevolent. They take the hundred sir names (all people) as straw dogs.
The space between heaven and earth is like a bellows, empty yet not exhaustible. The more it moves the more it yields.
More words count less.
One must hold fast to the center.After contemplation my understanding of “five”;
Tao is aloof (from things as if things were fodder).
Sages are aloof (from people as if people were fodder).
Tao is empty, filled with abundant space.
Too much has been written.
Live within Tao.I agree that too much has been written. I prefer (what I will keep from Lao Tsu’s 5 gift);
Live within Tao space.
11/21/2003
Gloria Shen’s character by character translation of Tao Te Ching “six“;Valley spirit never dies is called the mysterious female,
The gate of the mysterious female is the root of Heaven and Earth.
It exists like continuous thread,
If you put it to use it will not exhaust.A literal translation;
The valley spirit (being in a valley it is within heaven and earth but near the earth) is eternal.
It is called the mysterious female.
It is the gate to Tao (or the entrance to the spirit).
It is unending.
It cannot be used up.A translation that I hope is of common meaning to those who helped produce it;
The eye of Tao, which is the third eye of woman, is eternal.
It is the gate between essence and all.
When used it perseveres.Note; though the third eye is of woman, I allege a man can have it to. It is, (with gender but without gender judgment) first, a valley spirit.