In the Beginning…

Discussions around the first entry in The Way of Life.

“Existence is beyond the power of words
To define:
Terms may be used
But are none of them absolute.
In the beginning of heaven and earth there were no words,
Words came out of the womb of matter;
And whether a man dispassionately
Sees to the core of life
Or passionately
Sees the surface,
The core and the surface
Are essentially the same,
Words making them seem different
Only to express appearance.
If name be needed, wonder names them both:
From wonder into wonder
Existence opens.”

— (1) The Way of Life (According to Lao Tzu) Translated by Witter Bynner

The Power of Beginning

Beginning is a concept that appears to be linear, yet in reality acts circularly. Similar to time or the path celestial entities travel upon. To begin is remarkable and allowed. There is nothing stopping anyone from doing anything. Boundaries may be dissolved simply from showing up at the starting line and taking the first step.

There is an idea of opposites. Dispassionately and passionately. The core and the surface. This idea of opposites is something that appears frequently in a fluently manner throughout these writings as a subtle yet steady reminder pushing towards harmony and balance. The initial and final lines begin with the word Existence. The way the surface and core are resolved to essentially the same gives me a feeling of resolve within myself to be who I am and accept what comes my way. That duality that begins in singularity sparks a fire 🔥. From there, the rest may unravel.

Today in Real Life

Something is always happening.

While sitting at a coffee shop I reflect on this entry and a man approaches sitting behind me. I glance back and notice he is reading a verse from the bible. Reading about this duality while having the experience happen in real life made me understand that this was simply a sign that the path is well traveled and requires a mind capable of thinking through both sides of the coin.

We all may find what we are seeking. Given the chance. Are we seeking our greatest potential? What we ingest physically and mentally will become our final result.

Conclusion

I’d like to go through each entry of The Way of Life (According to Lao Tzu) and journal about it here. These entries are astounding to me and I’d enjoy sharing them with anyone who wants to discuss or ponder! If you enjoy this, subscribe and you will be notified when I publish a new entry. Until then!

— Marques