2005-12-27
Tao Te Ching - 6
Tao Te Ching
by Lao-tzu
J. Legge, Translator
from: Sacred-Texts
6
The valley spirit dies not, aye the same;
The female mystery thus do we name.
Its gate, from which at first they issued forth,
Is called the root from which grew heaven and earth.
Long and unbroken does its power remain,
Used gently, and without the touch of pain.
My Thoughts
This particular translation talks of 'the female mystery', and thus does seem to agree with pre-'authorised' Christian beliefs, as it does with Pagan concepts of woman as being the essence of nature and of the cycle of time itself.
But is this particular translation from the Chinese correct? Or have the translators taken onboard concepts available to them in their own language?
What I am saying here is that it would be too easy (particularly as a woman) to go with this translation and to revere womankind as representing 'the source' not only of life but of spirit also.
But I think Lao tzu was saying more than this. He was talking about the nature of the spirit itself. Yes, spirit is powerful, but, conversely, to use this power with the most benefit, it must be used gently, without force. With stillness, rather than with action.
I have found another translation of the 6th lesson. It is by: PeterMerel
It reads:
6. Experience
Experience is a riverbed,
Its source hidden, forever flowing:
Its entrance, the root of the world,
The Way moves within it:
Draw upon it; it will not run dry.
This still draws on the analogy of nature and source, but it doesn't take on our concepts of gender. I don't know whether I prefer this translation, but I think the two translations work well together to draw out the meaning of Lao tzu's words.
meyamind at 9:05 p.m.
