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How Do We Desire Not to Desire Anyway?

CarlCarl
edited July 2006 in Taoism and the Tao Te Ching
[cite] Topher:[/cite]I concur with this.
If I had any sense I would [chref=44]know when to stop[/chref] and just celebrate our "concurrence". But, I've always been an immoderate fellow - why change now? I'm going to shoot for two "concurrences" and retire. :)
[cite] Topher:[/cite] ...the conversations that the world has about you are also very powerful.
I concur! The 'tribal' instinct, which drives our social needs and fears, is perhaps the most powerful of all. Stronger than sex, food, and perhaps survival itself at times (suicide bombers and kamikaze pilots come to mind immediately). Of course belief ties right into this instinct. The Taoist dismissive view of words and names, and the beliefs they articulate, is what attracts me most. I guess it offers me a degree of freedom 'outside the societal box'. I mean, how wonderful the concept: [chref=2]Therefore the sage keeps to the deed that consists in taking no action and practices the teaching that uses no words.[/chref] For once something without [chref=18]hypocrisy[/chref]. Now that is [chref=11]Something[/chref] I can aspire to. :wink:

Comments

  • CarlCarl
    edited December 1969
    I ended my commentary on Chapter 51 by saying, "all I need do is turn back to what I truly desire". Well, of course, to [chref=64]desire not to desire[/chref] is a fine ideal for the 'sage', but what about the rest of us?

    I've found thought to be the key. Desire takes place in thoughts that target the future or the past, i.e., outside the present moment. This differs from immediate needs, like an itch, which all animals feel. Sure, we feel the itch, but thinking then transforms it into [chref=46]too many desires[/chref]. The easiest way I've found to deal with this is best expressed by...

    [chref=71]To know yet to think that one does not know is best;
    Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.[/chref]

    I deliberately distrust all the distinctions my senses lure me to latch on to - and instead look for [chref=56]mysterious sameness[/chref]. Put simply, differences and distinctions correlate to Active illusion; similarities correlate to Passive reality. Finding and feeling similarities makes it much easier to be feel 'connected' and [chref=33]know contentment[/chref]. On the other hand, finding and feeling differences, and most importantly believing that they are real, makes it much easier to [chref=81]contend[/chref] with yourself or others. I guess the moral of this view is, 'be careful what you think'.

    I said thought was key. But, I guess emotion is that key's key. After all, we need enough concern (an emotion) to [chref=16]do [our] utmost to attain emptiness,... stillness,... impartiality[/chref] in our thoughts. But, who has true mastery over their emotions?... Not conquering, suppressing or fanning emotion, but 'creating' enough concern out of Nothing. Who?... What?... How?... Hint: [chref=40]Weakness is the means the way employs[/chref].
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