Here in the forest I have no means of keeping the blog going unless I get into town and visit a cafe with wifi. While I sat here today, nursing a pot of good tea I met a young man, Brian, who is translating the Tao Te Ching. We started chatting about the Tao, about which I have read little, and he gave me this poem:
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Learning is the practice of holding on
Understanding is the practice of letting go
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Diminish attachments a little each day
Until nothing is worth doing
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When nothing is worth doing
You can do anything
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True attainment only without desire
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As long as you hold on you’ll never see reality
Until you see reality you’ll never be a blessing to the world
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Tao Te Ching, 48.
Translation by Brian Castillo
Brian’s translation is very beautiful, I have been reading the Tao myself for quite some time now… my perceptions have shifted, I am changed. Not enough that I don’t still envy you your woods full of dryads…
miss you brother – sounds as if your travels are treating you well, helping to clear your mind! See you soon hippy!
O M G – That is beautiful. Where did THAT come from? the Tao Te Ching? What the heck is THAT!? I look forward to reading a bit more of that.