Possessed of the Tao, he endures long;I'm fairly sure that, for some branches of Taoism, this line is one they point to in terms of longevity here on Mother Earth and immortality. (Maybe Baroness Radon, who is far more versed in Chinese culture and history than I, will share some insights.)
~ James Legge translation, from The Sacred Books of the East, 1891 ~
Being at one with the Tao is eternal.
~ Gia-fu Feng and Jane English translation, published by Vintage Books, 1989 ~
Tao is eternal
~ Derek Lin translation, from Tao Te Ching: Annotated & Explained, published by SkyLight Paths, 2006 ~
If you get right with Tao,
~ Ron Hogan rendition, from Beatrice.com, 2004 ~
My view really is simple. There is something -- essence, force, process, movement -- that underlies all things. It is not simply that it predates life as we know it and will remain once we are gone. That's the linear perspective of things.
It simply IS. Like the tides of the ocean, it flows in and it flows out. It always flows.
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Thanks Trey. This entire verse is, according to my teacher, about a method of cultivation of Tao. It is a "practical process" to be accomplished internally, and "meets the general philosophical principles." Indeed Tao "is" (although that's not the best verb to use--English has limitations) whether or not you practice neidan/internal alchemy/meditation or qigong. But by certain practices, you achieve accord with it. It's not just a mental apprehension of the principle, but an integration. I do not regard this as "religious," but you might.
ReplyDeleteI was going to point this out earlier as you work though #16, but since you brought it up, here it is.