We look at it, and we do not see it, and we name it 'the Equable.'I got to tell you that I both agree and disagree with the thrust of this line. On the one hand, no one can see the essence of life itself. As the last three of the versions above note, the underlying essence -- what we call Tao -- is formless and colorless.
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Look, it cannot be seen - it is beyond form.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Look at it, it cannot be seen It is called colorless
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
You can't see Tao, no matter how hard you look.
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
On the other hand, life is all around us. While we may call the life we can see the manifestations of Tao, maybe, that is all there is. Maybe the manifestations and the essence are one in the same.
To view the Index page for this series to see what you may have missed or would like to read again, go here.
I find it...amusing...that you both agree and disagree. This suggests doubt, the opposite of faith.
ReplyDeleteThe manifestations are illusory, but there they are. Actually, I find Buddhist interpretations of this quandary satisfying. The Dalai Lama has some interesting things to say about this.
This post is very profound. One of my favorite phrases is "on the other hand." (Why I have two blogs.)
Perhaps your fever has rendered you profound?
ReplyDeletePerhaps profound...perhaps loopy.
ReplyDelete