What Next?

Trey Smith

If all goes as scheduled, I will finish the Tao Te Ching Line by Line series on Wednesday, August 29. The first post in this series came on August 9, 2010 and, at least through the beginning of July, I have not missed even one day. When the series comes to an end -- barring some cataclysmic event for yours truly -- there will be over 750 posts spanning a tad more than 2 years!

I was thinking to myself the other day, "Once I finish this endeavor, what next?" One consideration would be to take a writing break. Nah!! I actually have enjoyed the discipline that comes with working on this project over the long haul. This is not to suggest that I have written the posts for this series day-by-day. I tend to write them in batches, often writing all the posts for each verse in one or two sittings. It has not been uncommon at all for up to 20 entries to be scheduled far in advance.

So, in thinking over the question of what I might tackle next, I've decided to wade into Scott Bradley territory. Scott has done a magnificent job discussing and analyzing the Zhuangzi. For the most part, I have steered clear of this topic, so that Scott could have the spotlight all to himself.

However, Scott's writing output has slowed considerably and he has indicated to me that he might (or might not) want to take a bit of a break. Besides, one of the aims we emphasize on this blog is that we offer differing aspects and/or perspectives on Taoist thought. So, I think the time has come for me to move beyond the Tao Te Ching to the Zhuangzi.

It should go without saying that, owing to the different writing style of this supposed later Taoist sage, I will not be presenting the text line-by-line. Instead, I'm going to present it bit-by-bit! I will start with Chapter 1 and wend my way over a few years time to Chapter 33.

So, this post is merely a heads up that, beginning on September 1, you can look for Zhuangzi Bit by Bit in the usual 11:11 am slot.