Any other Taoists around here?

[StellaBlue]

Just curious.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I have read about the Tao

and saw the movie "Mind Walk", which is based on "The Tao of Physics".

[New Earth]

2. aren't we all Taoists?

:) :hi:

[Brewman_Jax]

3. Yes

and I'm glad that I found this group. :hi:

[otherlander]

4. I don't think I'd call myself a Taoist, but I'm studying the book.

There's definitley a lot to learn from Taoism. Are some translations better than others?

Glad I found this group. :hi:

[Rob H.]

6. I have a translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

that's quite good. A friend gave it to me years ago, and in looking through other translations in bookstores I find that I like the Feng and English translation best. Hope that's helpful. :)

[pocoloco]

9. Brian Brown Walker's translation and his

Hua Hu Ching (The Unknown teachings of Lao Tzu) are my recommendations to examine the Way.

[Maat]

10. Thanks for the post;

my hubby is really into studying Taoist teachings. I will ask him if he has heard of this author.

[conscious evolution]

13. A very good book the Hua Hu

Changed my life.

[intheflow]

11. I like Stephen Mitchell's interpretation.

Though the Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English version someone recommended up thread is also quite good. However, I prefer Mitchell's translation because he uses both the masculine and feminine to describe the Tao, and also the human leaders Lao Tzu wrote about. Compare these two passages, for example:

Mitchell
7
The Tao is infinite, eternal.
Why is it eternal?
It was never born;
thus it can never die.
Why is it infinite?
It has no desires for itself;
thus it is present for all beings.

The Master stays behind;
that is why she is ahead.
She is detached from all things;
that is why she is one with them.
Because she has let go of herself,
she is perfectly fulfilled.

Feng/English
7
Heaven and earth last forever.
Why do heaven and earth last forever?
They are unborn,
So ever living.
The sage stays behind, thus he is ahead.
He is detached, thus at one with all.
Through selfless action, he attains fulfillment.

Both passages say the same thing, but Mitchell does not assume that the "Master" ("sage") is male. So the translation feels more inclusive to me.

Here's another passage when Mitchell uses the masculine as the "Master":

12
Colors blind the eye.
Sounds deafen the ear.
Flavors numb the taste.
Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart.

The Master observes the world
but trusts his inner vision.
He allows things to come and go.
His heart is open as the sky.

[Goldensilence]

5. i am a fan of zen

doesthat count...i've been into most schools of buddhist thought. I like the Mayahna(sp) tradition as well.

[Az]

7. Here comes a typical Taoist answer

I call myself a Taoist but I do not follow the Tao. Rather I find that I walk along a similar path to it. Specifically I find much wisdom in the teachings of Lao Tzu. The later assorted ideas that associated themself with Taoism are less to my liking though (ie I Ching et al).

[idgiehkt]

8. my faith is a combination of Taoism

and the belief in a personal god/guardian angels that I grew up with...it's like trying to follow the tao, which I also interpret as trying to learn the lessons that my guides are giving me.

[gateley]

12. I if I were to identify with anything, it would be Taoism.

And like another poster, Stephen Mitchell's translation is what is most meaningful to me.