“According to Lao-tse, the more man interfered with the natural balance produced and governed by the universal laws, the further away the harmony retreated into the distance.” The Tao of Pooh
The New York Times article “The Rise of the Tao” describes a 47-year old Taoist Yin Xinhui in 2010 was building a temple to the Taoist deity, the Jade Emperor on peak of Mount Yi. Up until the Communist Revolution era (circa 1949), the peak of Mount Yi was the place of an ancient Taoist temple. Yin Xinhui has a vision of creating the temple during the religious revival of modern China. Traditional Taoist religion and philosophy are on the rise throughout China, especially through the countryside. The state of the temple currently, as of 2010, is simple with a “muddy path up to the pavilion” and “windows that were still without glass”. This condition of the temple, though incomplete, is a perfect example of the Uncarved Block. Author of The Tao of Pooh, Benjamin Hoff writes of the secrets to living a life of the Uncarved Block, “When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike, and mysterious secret known to those of the Uncarved Block: Life is Fun.” I use this example of the temple as the Uncarved Block to point out the simplicity of the object, it is not completed, but has the capability to be a great building to bring happiness to many. Through the process of completion, through the process of life one learns much more beneficial lessens than through the end result. Hoff leaves readers with this wisdom, “The goal has to be right for us, and it has to be beneficial, in order to ensure a beneficial process. But aside from that, it's really the process that's important.” The importance of process must be used in all aspects of life, to live as a Taoist. But to live a life that emphasizes process, one must learn the Tao.
In introducing the Tao Lao-tzu introduces readers to the center of Taoist philosophy in Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way),
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.
Free from desire you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.
Yet mystery and manifestations
arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding.
I would like to dissect what Lao-tzu is explaining in his philosophic stanzas, because I think that it explains most accurately the intent of his philosophy (Taoism). The first stanza describes, in a vague manner, the unknowable tao. He states that the tao is not a god because it is not the “eternal Tao” or the “eternal God” (“eternal name of God”). The tao is intangible, even more intangible than gods. It does not have a name, but for the sake of human understanding, Lao-tzu gives it a name. All that is seen by human perception is from tao. The tao is “the way”: a way of living that’s main purpose is happiness. When one gives up human desires and wishes, one sees what one already possesses (their manifestations). Lao-tzu informs readers that tao’s “source is called darkness”, not in a Western sense of the word, but in that it is not clear. The tao is not reason, but leads to learning about life. The tao must not be used as a guideline for life, but of the natural way in which men are inclined to live...harmoniously.
In Benjamin Hoff’s The Tao of Pooh, A. A. Milne’s characters are analyzed in relationship to taoism philosophy. While all of the central characters contain different pieces of examples for and against Taoism, Hoff makes the argument that each character represents a certain trait which humans all possess. Owl represents the “Knowledge for the sake of Appearing Wise”, in only studying Knowledge for the sake of Knowledge, just to keep his knowledge to himself or a select few. Hoff describes humans that possess this trait as Not Knowing Something. Eeyore represents those with Knowledge for the Sake of Complaining About Something, which inhibits him from finding true happiness and wisdom. Rabbit represents those with Knowledge of Being Clever, who do not possess deep wisdom or emotion, and the “Bisy Backson” who have no time to do anything, but feel the need to save time while he is actually wasting it. Tigger represents those who do not know their own limitations and fall into a mess of trouble because of it.
Be sure to read my upcoming blog in which I will explain the role of the Bisy Backson in American and Western way of life, evaluate the character of Rabbit in his ever-busy lifestyle, and compare Rabbit to the simple Uncarved Block of Winnie-the-Pooh.
In pondering the introductory statements on Taoism and in preparation for the next blog entry I encourage readers to ponder this quotation from Tao Te Ching:
Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keeping sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
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