Thirty spokes join together in a wheel’s hub,It is the center hole that makes the wheel useful.We shape clay to fashion jugs;It is the hollowness within that makes a jug useful.We cut doors and windows in a house wall;It is these empty spaces that make the house useful.Thus things are valuable because of what they …
Author Archives: hermitalex
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 10
In holding the soul and embracing onenessCan one be without straying?In concentrating the energy and reaching relaxationCan one be like an infant?In cleaning away the worldly viewCan one be without imperfections?In loving the people and ruling the nationCan one be without manipulation?In the heavenly gate’s opening and closingCan one hold to the feminine principle?In understanding …
Free will: on Physical Determinism
In my previous post in this series, I tried to get the definition of “free will” sorted out. To sum things up, I concluded that although the phrase “free will” is too ambiguous to be used without bringing up certain issues, it does have a core meaning around which all discussion on the matter revolves, …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 9
Better to stop short than fill to the brim.Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.Retire when the work is done.This is the way of heaven.-Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English A blade being …
On «Free Will»
Today I have something a little different for you. Now that I’ve warmed up my writing muscles a bit with the Tao Te Ching, I’ll start posting some original philosophical writings here alongside my commentary on the TTC. To kick things off, I’d like to say a few things about the free will debate, which …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 8
The highest good is like water.Water give life to the ten thousand things and does not strive.It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao.In dwelling, be close to the land.In meditation, go deep in the heart.In dealing with others, be gentle and kind.In speech, be true.In ruling, be just.In daily life, …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 7
The Tao is infinite, eternal.Why is it eternal?It was never born;thus it can never die.Why is it infinite?It has no desires for itself;thus it is present for all beings.The Master stays behind;that is why she is ahead.She is detached from all things;that is why she is one with them.Because she has let go of herself,she …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 6
The valley spirit never dies;It is the woman, primal mother.Her gateway is the root of heaven and Earth.It is like a veil barely seen.Use it; it will never fail.-Translation by Gia Fu Feng and Jane English This one is short and sweet, and mostly metaphor. I don’t really have a lot to say about it …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 5
The Tao doesn’t take sides;it gives birth to both good and evil.The Master doesn’t take sides;she welcomes both saints and sinners.The Tao is like a bellows:it is empty yet infinitely capable.The more you use it, the more it produces;the more you talk of it, the less you understand.Hold on to the center.-Translation by Stephen Mitchell …
Meditations on the Tao Te Ching: Chapter 4
The Tao is an empty vessel; it is used, but never filled. Oh, unfathomable source of ten thousand things! Blunt the sharpness, Untangle the knot, Soften the glare, Merge with dust. Oh, hidden deep but ever present! I do not know from whence it comes. It is the forefather of the gods. -Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English The first line can …
Under the Spell of Words 