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Description
A modest attempt to explain some taoist ideas. There is no perfect way in any language to describe most of what I'm trying to convey, so bear with me. If anyone takes anything from this poem, it's more than I could have hoped for.
I am really trying to avoid cliché ideas here; it shouldn't sound like typical carpe diem stuff. I hesitate to explain details of it, so people can get their own ideas from it, but I will touch on some points for clarification
the first two lines are kind of a disclaimer, which reflects the idea "The Tao which can be spoken of is not the true Tao." It is the poetic equivalent to the first paragraph in this description i'm writing now, lol
The next part refers to René Descartes, who was a brilliant scientist and mathematician, but not such a brilliant philosopher. The poem explains that his famous statement, "Cogito ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am" is a false, egotistical idea. The reference to "Western thought" explains that it typically is more self-centered. Eastern philosophy (i.e. Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) is not. It will help you understand taoism more if you throw out the idea of the "self"
hope you enjoy
I am really trying to avoid cliché ideas here; it shouldn't sound like typical carpe diem stuff. I hesitate to explain details of it, so people can get their own ideas from it, but I will touch on some points for clarification
the first two lines are kind of a disclaimer, which reflects the idea "The Tao which can be spoken of is not the true Tao." It is the poetic equivalent to the first paragraph in this description i'm writing now, lol
The next part refers to René Descartes, who was a brilliant scientist and mathematician, but not such a brilliant philosopher. The poem explains that his famous statement, "Cogito ergo sum" or "I think, therefore I am" is a false, egotistical idea. The reference to "Western thought" explains that it typically is more self-centered. Eastern philosophy (i.e. Buddhism, Taoism, etc.) is not. It will help you understand taoism more if you throw out the idea of the "self"
hope you enjoy
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© 2007 - 2024 andythefragile
Comments4
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So........... you're a Taoist now? I missed the memo.
Okay, so I had to look up "caveat" and "descartian," but I couldn't find any evidence of the later. Did you mean "discern?" Why not just get rid of that word and capitalize the M? You don't need that word anyway.
I had to read the first stanza about 8 times before I was able to "discern" anything from it. The wording is awkward. I really like:
"...using words to say there are no words to use."
Is there any way you could make that it's own line, to make it stand out. Maybe something like but not exactly:
I present to you a paradox
Using words to say there are no words to use
Would that you... etc.
Maybe?
Anyway, the piece does provide an interesting look at a different philosophy. I can understand, but could never relate. Taoism is definitely not meant for people with ADHD. I'll tell you the truth, the VERY FIRST thought that ran through my head when I read, "Look left or right and you will let this sacred moment pass you by" was What if something even more special is happening unexpectedly off to the side? Heh. But that's me.
I guess my one Taoist reservation is that I've mostly given up on the future. But what I've found is that giving up on the future is giving up on hope. Because what is hope? Hope is the drive to believe that something will work out in the future. A philosophy that embraces only the present and bears no concern for the future is a philosophy without hope. To live without hope is the emptiest state of conscious existence.
Frankly I'd rather drink myself stupid and experience happiness vicariously through recalling the past. And most of the time, both.
I do have a favorite quote in response to the last stanza:
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay
-- Robert Frost
Okay, so I had to look up "caveat" and "descartian," but I couldn't find any evidence of the later. Did you mean "discern?" Why not just get rid of that word and capitalize the M? You don't need that word anyway.
I had to read the first stanza about 8 times before I was able to "discern" anything from it. The wording is awkward. I really like:
"...using words to say there are no words to use."
Is there any way you could make that it's own line, to make it stand out. Maybe something like but not exactly:
I present to you a paradox
Using words to say there are no words to use
Would that you... etc.
Maybe?
Anyway, the piece does provide an interesting look at a different philosophy. I can understand, but could never relate. Taoism is definitely not meant for people with ADHD. I'll tell you the truth, the VERY FIRST thought that ran through my head when I read, "Look left or right and you will let this sacred moment pass you by" was What if something even more special is happening unexpectedly off to the side? Heh. But that's me.
I guess my one Taoist reservation is that I've mostly given up on the future. But what I've found is that giving up on the future is giving up on hope. Because what is hope? Hope is the drive to believe that something will work out in the future. A philosophy that embraces only the present and bears no concern for the future is a philosophy without hope. To live without hope is the emptiest state of conscious existence.
Frankly I'd rather drink myself stupid and experience happiness vicariously through recalling the past. And most of the time, both.
I do have a favorite quote in response to the last stanza:
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay
-- Robert Frost