The Second Book of the Tao by Stephen Mitchell (Part 2)

 

Quote:

Before sorrow, anger,

Longing, or fear have arisen,

you are in the center.

When these emotions appear

and you know how to see through them,

you are in harmony.

That center is the root of the universe;

that harmony is the Tao,

which reaches out to all things.

 

Once you find the center

and achieve harmony,

heaven and earth take their proper places

and all things are fully nourished.

 

Commentary:

A person can only begin to save their self-first. Healing the world is extraordinary, but how can you heal the world, if you the one that needs healing? Find the center and begin to cultivate harmony. Connect yourself to the center of the universe. It will continuously guide you. The universe will return favors, if you move with it and let it be your leader.




5 comments:

Tao said...

Where is Mitchell getting this from? It all sounds vaguely familiar - either he is translating someone or writing close to the style of a past work.

What does he say in the into to the book? Is this a rework or is he suggesting it is an original take?

Either way, it is nice stuff :) He's good with words and understanding - I just can't shake how familiar it sounds and wonder why that is.

Leon Basin said...

The commentary is actually me! The quote is from different sources.

Leon Basin said...

I wrote the commentary in my own words. I was looking through the quote and this is what I came up with.

Tao said...

But I think I mean the quote itself..

nice commentary all the same ;)

Leon Basin said...

Tao - Thank you! Heh... Not sure where he gets it. Supposedly, at least 4 sources. What you been up to? We should talk soon.

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