Chapter of the Week: #80 [Archive]

Luke Abbott

[cite] Little Dragon:[/cite] . . . It may be that something like free will or free will itself only applies in creatures with a large enough brain to be able to plan for the future and remember what is past - so perhaps in the animal kingdom, we could apply this concept to the greater apes and to dolphins and whales. . . .

Plan for the future and remember what is past . . . are we talking about "free will" here, or are we talking about intellegence, cognitive ability, rational thought, etc? Because I don't think anyone can deny that humans are best at that sort of thing; followed by apes, dolphins, etc., followed by the so-called "lower" animals, and so on. But that really isn't the issue, is it? The concept of free will (to me) should have little to do with intellegence (i.e., IQ) or being smart versus being daft...

Luke Abbott

Each week we address one chapter of the Tao Te Ching. Chapter 80 was originally featured on the 4th week in July.

Note: The Tao Te Ching can be obscure, especially if you think you're supposed to understand what it's saying! We find it easier and more instructive to simply contemplate how the chapter resonates with your personal experience. Becoming more aware at this fundamental level simplifies life. This approach conforms to the view that true knowing lies within ourselves. Thus, when a passage in the scripture resonates, you've found your inner truth. The same applies for when it evokes a question; questions are the grist for self realization.

Chapter 80
Reduce the size and population of the state. Ensure that even though the people
have tools of war for a troop or a battalion they will not use them; and also
that they will be reluctant to move to distant places because they look on death
as no light matter.

Even when they have ships and carts, they will have no use for them; and even
when they have armour and weapons, they will have no occasion to make a show of them.

Bring it about that the people will return to the use of the knotted rope,
Will find relish in their food,
And beauty in their clothes,
Will be content in their abode,
And happy in the way they live.

Though adjoining states are within sight of one another, and the sound of dogs
barking and cocks crowing in one state can be heard in another, yet the people
of one state will grow old and die without having had any dealings with those of another.

Carl

[Note: I italicize phrases I borrow from the chapter, and link to phrases I borrow from other chapters to help tie chapters together. Some say that this makes reading it tedious at times... oh well ]

Here is one place where the Tao Te Ching stands in stark contrast to the modern paradigm. Return to the use of the knotted rope is basically suggesting we put the brakes on advancing technology - tools. And to think this was written 2500 years ago. It they could see the world today! Though, this also shows how nothing essential has changed. Back then the people were in the throws of the 'iron revolution'. Today we are in the throws of the 'electricity revolution'. Each 'revolution' threw the old ways, the [chref=56]old ruts [/chref], into a tail spin. The more tools we use, the more disconnected from nature we are likely to feel, i.e., tools spare us the drudgery of living naturally like earth's other animals must.

Note: The Ma-wang-tui texts indicate that the phrase, 'even though the people have tools of war for a troop'... may best be translated as 'even though the people have innumerable tools they will not use them'. This illustrates one benefit of comparing the Ma-wang-tui translation with the Wang Pi one.

I don't see us returning to the use of the knotted rope, especially now that we have computers... But, it would help if we acknowledged the [chref=16]woe[/chref] we generate when we leap before we look. Of course, that's not going to happen either as long as 'progress' is valued above all else.

The Taoist view presented here goes against the established values and virtues of modern civilization. Nothing will change I expect until we reduce the size and population of the state. Not that 'we' need do anything mind you. It will all [chref=17]happen to us naturally[/chref] in time. I mean, doesn't everything? Yes,... I know... :roll:

So why are we so on the other side of the view portrayed here? Why is travel so prized? I see it simply as symptomatic of the discontent we experience within. The process goes like this:

When I am content, truly [chref=46]content [/chref], I remain [chref=26]still[/chref]. I don't rush about going hither and yon. I only [chref=33]lose my station[/chref] when I need something. The more I need something, the more I will [chref=37]desire[/chref] to move to distant places and seek it. I simply seek what I don't have, but wish I did. For a mundane example: I'll sit here typing as long as I'm content doing so. When that contentment wanes and another need arises, I'll move - if even only to the toilet. There's nothing like 'nature's call' to make one feel discontent!