Tao Te Ching Chapter 1 Explained: The Eternal Mystery
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- čas přidán 17. 10. 2020
- In this podcast, we will dissect the first chapter of the Tao Te Ching to give you ultimate clarity on the meaning of the chapter. This is the first episode of the 81 Meditations of the Tao Te Ching, a series where we will explore each chapter of the Tao Te Ching. Each episode will be released periodically along with our other podcast episodes on other topics in Eastern spirituality. In the first episode be prepared to dive deep into the eternal mystery at the core Taoism.
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This is what the internet and CZcams were supposed to be, tools to elevate human consciousness. Thank you both.
We need more channels like these on YT. Great stuff!
Thank you dearly Scotty. I'm so thrilled you appreciate my channel and the content.
Can't wait for more on these verses. My personnal favorite is 20.
"Stop thinking and end your problems...etc."
On another subject, i haven't watched the news in the last 2-3 months and feel so good about it. All i need to know, i learn about it by people talking at work. No need to spend my energie by watching cnn or fox.
Well done my friend. Watching the news is not natural and a new phenomena. Best to avoid it as we were not designed to process too much news.
CNN is fake news anyway
CNN is fake. Okay. So what word can I use to describe Fox, something I need worse than fake. Let me know if you find one. 😅
Its not about fake news or real news. Its about anxiety and mistrust being rid of. You see the world with your eyes and trusting yourself and coming up with your own view.
@@lfcfanfromcanada I agree about the views and biases we all have. Since you called CNN a fake news, I wonder how you would describe the Fox News.
I just want to say thank you. Thank you for the time that you and your partner put into these videos. Thank you for spreading love and light into this warped world. Thank you
These discussions are priceless. Thank you!
Loud Loving Applause across the miles from Wales to Down Under... I adore the Dao Te Ching but still dont understand it! Blessed are my favourite married couple for bringing it to my ears in a language I understand! Xxx
Blessings to you my dear friend. I hope you will gain further understanding of the great text through our podcast. You're the best!
Wow - synchronicity, Jason! :-D "way of inner work". By naming, intellect/ego gets in way of reality. "name is mother of 10,000 things ("product of ego) - manifest world" - not way of nature/Tao. Constructs of socialization - dualistic view/morality/ego warps reality. Yeow - distraction/craving & we "block out universe/Tao from expressing through us". "society = construct imposed on reality" Yeah - RELIEF in trusting natural way. Radical shift of "turning away & going within/ pure awareness" ! Best way to spend Sunday. Thanks guys! Bernardo
Haha, you're the best Bernardo! I told you it was quite synchronistic that you told me about that version of the Tao Te Ching. I'm so happy we can spend a little moment of Sunday with you.
Joseph. Thank you. I have watch this over and over again and now I’m back again.
Thank you! So much insight garnered from this video. One thought I had while listening was, ‘a ruler does not measure itself’ which I feel is very taoist. I also love the idea of the genuine pretender but might prefer just getting the hell outta there!
I love the idea that you can't cultivate nature. Nature is. That's so beautiful. Socialization definitely has taught us to absolutely ignore what is natural. Gayoung is right, socialization is very thick. It is engrained for sure. I love that you talk about giving away our energy to all the distractions. I just love that you all went in depth. This talk brought so much light to my life. Thank you so much! Much love to you two.
Thank you for your wonderful appreciation my friend. We love you.
Great project initiative taken by you. I have a copy of tao te ching with my while i am watching this.
That's awesome Rishabh. Thank you my dear friend.
When you were talking about distractions of the world and awareness . Idk, it just made me laugh. :D
Just got a red pine tao te ching. Excited to follow along.
Finally completed this video now, the 1st chapter!
Now on to chapter 2, .. of 81.
I enjoy the journey and depth of Tao Te Ching a lot!
Thanks
What a gift this is.
CONGRATS ON 30K! you both have soothing voices. xo
Thank you my friend. I appreciate the gratitude. We always enjoy hearing from you.
I love the distinction between the named and unnamed Dao. To me, it explains how people are able to be "successful" by observing the patterns of the material universe and rolling with the wave lengths that manifest 10k things - and how that brings suffering because that's not the nameless Dao, but it still works because it is the Dao - though named. Good talk; thanks for sharing!
Wow yes! Really and especially like this part - "Everyone is not the same; psychologically they're not. Everyone has a different li - organic pattern." At 42:50
Excellent work guys. I look forward to listening to the rest of this.
Enjoy my friend.
Much gratitude for this podcast and I am only on episode 1. Right place right time. This is the way of things
Thank you for this meaningful project and for bringing Tao Te Ching closer to others
Thank you Vlatko. So happy you enjoyed it my friend. More to come.
Excellent initiative!!!! Thank you very much !
Thank you my dear friend. We appreciate your gratitude.
Thank you both for this. Namaste 🙏
Thank you for watching Loren.
Great stuff love the talks. Trying to live this way really changes you perception of life. Making It really hard to live in this modern world. Like just going to work It does not seem right.
Spot on Eric. It is the real way to live but runs counter to socialization and the conventional way of life. But somehow there is a way my friend.
I'm going through all the verses in my own version of the tao te ching while writing my own interpretations on some post it notes as a way of reflecting on the message in each verse. I'm so thankful that I have your guys podcast to binge, it serves as a way of confirming that what i read is understood. Love you guys, may the tao be with you.
Love you too my friend. I'm stoked that these podcasts are a great resource.
Beautiful videos.
Thank You so much for this tool for alignment. Excellent depth of study. Thank You for manifesting this project.
I am a Mystic, so the perspective on Source is different, but the thread is the same. Allowance.
I am particularly interested in how you use and perceive meditation, contemplation, and study, relative to finding your way, and remaining in "The zone". I feel like I am driving a Conestoga wagon over an endless prairie of slow rolling hills. It's not dramatic. I keep myself on a pretty even keel. Sometimes it seems like the ebb and flow of a tide. When I find myself at one of these low points and I ask myself, what is the issue. I have no response other than I have fallen into over thinking. It leaves me feeling drained.
Excellent. Thank you. 😊
Thank you for watching Gavin.
Finally went to the begining of this play list😂. Fabulous teaching and discusssion by you both. Guyoung i really appreciated you sharing about how “cultural/familial expectations” can ruin the actual natural relationship between family members. In this past year this very real issue caused me to walk away from relationship with my youngest daughter. I have no idea when the relationship shall be renewed.
Without knowing your situation, one could argue that the cultural/familial expectations are in fact natural in and of themselves - to an extent. One thing I'd say, as a stranger, and completely unknowning of your situation is that family, especially immediate family, are too important a thing to cut out of your life with a possible exception for those who cause danger and grievous suffering. Pride shouldn't be a barrier to reconciliation, as from my understanding, three jewels of Daoism is to be compassionate, humble and to act with moderation.
I hope you make up with your daughter.
Hello Jason … thanks for all your work … much appreciated ! I would like to ask is there are similarity between Santana dharma( the eternal laws) and the Taoism ?
Grateful to be getting to know Taoism even more closely, specifically by and with you, and going to understand it more, as I've only really discovered it through you in the beginning/to begin with!
Thanks Jason!
On a side note; I've just discovered a FILM about Taoism (on YT) by George Thompson: What I'm curious about is, what would your feedback be to this video as you yourself know really a lot about Taoism @Jason Gregory?
(Video called *"Taoism's World Changing Wisdom [FILM]* - Journey to the East")
0:17 sec into this I am already excited and I love the idea of this series of podcasts....:D :D
That's super Piyush. I'm excited to share them with you.
@@JasonGregoryAuthor loved it...Thank you!
Wonderful.
Love this channel, it definitely helps me read the book in a different way/helps take me away from my unknowingly shallow and biased interpretation.
I have D.C Laus translation - is that any good?
Awesome!
Thank you, Nikola. Glad you appreciate it my friend.
This is gonna be fun
Hope you enjoyed it my friend.
love this
Thank you Frank.
Hello Jason! Which translation is the most accurate or do you recommend me getting of the tao te ching?
I think peoples who can understand hindi a great philosopher his name osho he interpret tao te Ching in a very deep manner his all videos available on CZcams you have to just search tao upnishad by osho.🙏
Really appreciate this Chapter 1 explanation snd insights.
Can you please share the authors names 🙏🏼
Thank you many blessings
If I'm correct the TTC also says something about speaking with as few words as possible
Not technically my friend. Some fake translations mention that, which really irks a lot of Sinologists and translators in general. These fake translations/interpretations have lead to a new age view of Taoism which leads a lot of people into virtue signaling and playing games of spiritual one-upmanship through those sorts of fake quotes that would surely make Zhuangzi to a massive face palm as he is definitely not about being PC and virtue signaling, or trying to be more spiritual than anyone in general. What Lao-tzu does mention is how we have to unlearn what we've learned (socialization/culture) and being silent may be a remedy to curb our subjective opinions (silence in the text is more about curing our warped nature). But remember, the Tao Te Ching is in opposition to Confucian morality, it is a text from that period of time, but it does relate to any time considering it is about the way of nature and not the way of socialization. Hope that makes sense. That is the way the text is in truth, even though some people interpret it their own way to suit their own lives and also to play immature games of "I'm more spiritual than you." I am not interested in bastardizing the tradition.
Jokes aside, Sir, I have a question.
The Tao has given rise to all things! Does it not also mean that it has given rise to the Ego? How then is the Ego pernicious?
What translation is being used here?
In my humble opinion I'd recommend using the Philip Ivanhoe translation over the Feng or at least using both. The Ivanhoe is a more accurate translation but the Feng flows a little better. Thank you 🙏
Definitely my friend. So glad you've read both. I'd also recommend Hans Georg-Moeller's translation too.
How can one tell wish translation is more accurate??
Hi Jason, enjoyed this video thank you. Re: non interference, how do you reconcile animal welfare issues? I've been on the edge of trying to make an impact on how people view factory farmed meat products but I love Taoism - what do you think?
For you
I like this guy he seems so sweet. 🐞
Wait... In this particular book, you said the translation "is closer to the original translation?" So is it just a translation of a translation, or a translation from Chinese? Or a translation of a translation of a translation? I'm now confused.
😊 for the algorithm
❤❤❤
Listening to Aramaic scholars ( Dr Lamsa thru his student Rocco Errico and others)the original Aramaic and the identity of who God is start to sound more alike than different.
like to learn more.
Plenty more coming Fernando.
I listened, but still have no idea what the first chapter is. Less talk, more reading its text?
I did read the first chapter and we explained it thoroughly. Maybe you missed that? I would suggest listening again attentively. We are in service to you my friend and we hope you respect that. Enjoy.
Now this is philosophical daoism there is also magical daoism like feng shui
Feng shui is great. But it is not Daoist. You might want to do your homework first. You can just do a quick search to find that out. Feng shui is an aspect of Chinese folk religion and people often confuse Chinese folk with Daoism which is frustrating. Just do a quick search. There actually is no such thing as "magical Daoism." There is only Daoism and that originates in the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi. Everything else came later built on the philosophy. So no, this is not philosophical Daoism, but rather Daoism. That is what I teach. I'm not sure why people superimpose other things onto Daoism, that frustrates authentic Daoists. Someone told me that Daoism is the most bastardized spiritual path in the world, and it is hard to argue. I hope you watch more of my content to understand Daoism at a deeper level.
Dao is the fundamental law of nature. The universe starts from energy, our desire is actually a type of energy. So that's why it is said "everything is one". And when you are desireless, which means you don't input any energy into the universe at that moment, then you can see how all other energy works in the universe. When you have your own desire, your energy works with other energy and finally turns into something. But no matter what things come out of your desire, it is just a form of energy only. You may also check out what TESLA once told, he said "everything is light". That's true, light is the energy. But don't forget the universe has its law, it will not change because of anyone. So when you impose good willingness, the universe will give you a good result, but when you impose evil, the universe will give evil back to you. 'coz the universe wants to be healthy just like all of us. We are the one, everything is the one.
TLDR: The Tao Te Ching teaches the importance of aligning with the fundamental forces of the universe, letting go of ego, and living in harmony with nature to find freedom, power, and manifestation of beauty and grace in life.
1. 00:00 📚 The Tao Te Ching explores the fundamental forces of the cosmos and invites us to live in direct relationship with them, emphasizing the importance of experiencing and feeling the path rather than approaching it from an intellectual or egotistical perspective.
1.1 The speaker discusses the first chapter of the Tao Te Ching and the recommended translation, as well as the introduction by Jacob Needleman.
1.2 The Tao Te Ching is a work of metaphysical psychology that helps us understand the fundamental forces of the cosmos and invites us to live in direct relationship with them, and it is not just related to practices like tai chi.
1.3 The Tao Te Ching refers to the deep dynamic structure of human nature, ethical conduct, spiritual guidance, and inner work, all ultimately coming from the natural law of the universe, and a deeper understanding of it can provide a more profound essence of the scriptures.
1.4 The eternal mystery of the dao cannot be fully understood or named due to the limitations of the intellect and ego.
1.5 The speaker discusses the concept of Tao as the fundamental truth of nature and the universe, emphasizing the importance of experiencing and feeling the path rather than approaching it from an intellectual or egotistical perspective.
1.6 Our perception of reality shapes our experiences, and the metaphor of the snake and the rope in Vedanta illustrates this concept.
2. 12:30 🌌 Returning to the dao means letting go of ego and aligning with the oneness of the universe, transcending moral rules and duality to reside as pure consciousness.
2.1 Naming things disrupts our vision and alignment with the fundamental forces of the universe, and seeing things as they really are requires going beyond the apparent world and ego construct.
2.2 Taoism teaches that moral rules create opposition and distort our nature, and the act of returning to the dao is like hitting the rewind button on our existence.
2.3 The orientation towards the 10,000 things is out of alignment with the way of nature, and letting go and non-doing will bring you back into alignment with the real source of the universe.
2.4 The goal of practicing Taoism is to go beyond the illusion of separation and duality, and to let go of the ego's construct in order to be guided by the Tao.
2.5 Harmony with the dao and understanding the source of the universe involves getting beneath your ego identity and recognizing the oneness within the manifest play of forms.
2.6 Everything is one, and in Taoism, it is important to understand and play your role well while residing as pure consciousness.
3. 22:01 🌌 Understanding the eternal Dao and getting beneath the ego is essential for spiritual growth, as desires can lead to disconnection from the source and disrupt human nature in modern society.
3.1 The role of a Daoist is to understand the eternal Dao, which is the source of all existence, and to get beneath the ego to come into contact with the origin.
3.2 The chapter discusses how identifying with the material world and desires leads to a disconnection from the source and disrupts human nature.
3.3 Desires become a problem when they turn into addiction and cravings, leading to distraction and self-torture as people constantly pursue a life they don't have.
3.4 Desire is not inherently bad, but it's important to differentiate between healthy and addictive desires, as craving and addiction are the ones to be avoided, while pure desire is necessary for spiritual growth.
3.5 Addiction to phones and social media constricts the mind and blocks the reception of cosmic energies, preventing the expression of fundamental forces of the universe through us.
3.6 Modern society has become distracted by technology and information, leading to a disconnection from the natural world and true human experience.
4. 34:39 🌿 Choosing the path of understanding the way of nature and living in alignment with reality is difficult but necessary to break free from societal constructs and dualistic hypnosis.
4.1 The mind is covered with conditioning and cultural information, but the goal of meditation practices is to come back to the pure, unstained awareness and stillness within stillness.
4.2 The problem with modern society is the constant identification with the material world, leading to a turning away from the fundamental reality at the base of our being, but Taoism offers an understanding of the way things are without religious or cultural trappings.
4.3 Choosing the path of understanding the way of nature and living in alignment with reality is difficult and goes against conventional thinking, but it is necessary to break free from societal constructs and dualistic hypnosis.
4.4 Confucius imposed a certain way of living on society, while Daoism recognizes the individual organic patterns in people's minds and addresses the inherent differences in talent and psychological structure.
4.5 Laozi emphasizes the importance of being natural and true to oneself, rejecting the idea of self-cultivation and the need to create a persona.
4.6 Cultural and social conditioning can lead to a loss of personal identity and freedom, causing psychological damage and anxiety.
5. 48:44 📱 Social media distorts moral principles and causes subconscious anxiety, but the Tao Te Ching provides insight into natural clarity beyond societal conditioning and political correctness.
5.1 Social media has led to the spread of false and over-generalized ideas, warping moral principles and leading to a society where people police each other's thoughts, causing individuals to unconsciously police themselves.
5.2 Constant connection to social media creates a subconscious anxiety, but taking breaks allows for a return to a sense of normalcy and presence in the present moment.
5.3 Constantly thinking about the future or past, being engaged in social media and distractions, prevents us from being present and experiencing clarity and peace.
5.4 The Tao Te Ching helps unravel societal conditioning and hypnosis, providing relief and insight into the natural way of things beyond social and biological factors.
5.5 Confucianism's influence on Asian countries and social dynamics, including the emphasis on social status, respect for elders, and conforming to societal expectations, is still prevalent and causes trouble globally.
5.6 Political correctness has become a confusing and problematic issue as it has evolved from its original well-intentioned purpose.
6. 01:01:52 🌿 Trusting in oneself and letting go of societal expectations leads to freedom and power in life, as the Tao Te Ching emphasizes the importance of following the path of truth and love in nature.
6.1 Laozi's perspective is that we are not uncultured beasts from birth, and the over-identification with cultural knowledge can lead to suffering and should be pushed aside for genuine self-study and detachment.
6.2 Aligning with the natural way of things, trusting in oneself and letting go of societal expectations leads to freedom and power in life.
6.3 Respect and love for parents and family members is natural and does not need to be enforced through constant indoctrination.
6.4 In Taoism, innate goodness is at the heart of the philosophy, but cultural conditioning creates division and conditional love.
6.5 The first chapter of the Tao Te Ching addresses the misperception of reality and emphasizes the importance of following the path of truth and love in nature.
6.6 The speaker explains the concept of the eternal mystery and offers a way to align with and understand it.
7. 01:19:17 🌌 Letting go of control and aligning with the universe leads to ease and confidence, while resisting external distractions and turning within allows for manifestation of beauty and grace.
7.1 Life is a misperception, and by letting go of control and aligning with the universe, one can experience ease and confidence in the present moment, leading to awakening and understanding of the eternal mystery.
7.2 Returning to the source and turning within is the essence of Taoism, but it becomes more difficult in today's information-saturated world, requiring rigorous effort to resist external distractions and look within.
7.3 The goal of all spiritual practices is to come back into abundance with pure awareness and to abide in it, despite the constant attempts of the external world to hijack it.
7.4 Engaging in distractions like social media and advertising leads to giving away precious energy, but returning focus to awareness brings real energy and force into life.
7.5 The power of the Tao is within us, but most people are unaware of it because they are distracted by socialization and external focus.
7.6 Understanding the core of existence and harnessing the power of awareness allows for manifestation of beauty and grace, while ego-driven energy is misguided.
8. 01:30:53 📜 The Tao Te Ching helps us reconnect with our fundamental forces by down regulating the ego and persona, and the speaker plans to do 81 podcasts discussing each chapter.
8.1 The dow is the unleaded and trying to change it to diesel causes trouble.
8.2 The Tao Te Ching is a text that helps us reconnect with the fundamental forces at the core of our being by down regulating the ego and persona.
8.3 The speaker recommends getting a specific translation of the Tao Te Ching and plans to do 81 podcasts discussing each chapter.
🙂🙏🏼
Thank you dear friend.
@@JasonGregoryAuthor I really appreciate you two being on here and sharing your talks with us. I am originally from Japan and been living the the USA for close to 15 years now and it’s veeeeery refreshing to hear you two talk...
Would be nice to know the name of the women that also talk, in a really interesting way, in this video.
You must be new here. Everybody knows her name is Gayoung. You could have easily searched that.
@@JasonGregoryAuthor Yes, im new here and apreciate it a lot. And search in the info about the video and didnt saw it
Are you still going?
Of course, my friend. I've been teaching Eastern philosophy for 15 years and this is not something I end. Here is the playlist for each chapter if you are interested czcams.com/play/PL1lNgETCPx7StjFkuQj6X2rkz49syqFXt.html
I have to take issue with the notion that the desire to be on the spiritual path is somehow "purer" than any other desire. On the contrary, it is exactly the same desire as the desire for money, sex, alcohol, etc. In fact it is worse, since it seems to carry with it the illusion that it is higher, more noble, and this is the recipe for spiritual egotism, the worst kind of egotism....
I'd like to tie Jason's hands behind his back ... I like watching the body language . .u turn words into physical form . . good job . . thank you both as one and ten thousand ten thousands . .
Thank you my friend. So glad you enjoy the content.
This is kinda spiritual standup to me ... except your sitting, and 'wording' the unwordable'... Never mind lol, good job .. no harm
Tao = Way of Life
Empty of ego (separateness) = Full of Life at Large (That which is/That I am) - simply being aware of being aware - of eternally actualizing infinite potential, because only Eternity can fully embrace Infinity.
The abstract (Heaven) called Love by the Psyche (Firmament) can be expressed concretely (Earth) as a smile, hug, etc, thereby uniting Heaven and Earth.
Tai Chi = way of change:
Law of Reversal:
Every arrival is a new point of departure.
Now is Eternal. Past, present and future are temporal.
The Rhythm of Life is a movement and a rest.
Optimums are inherently pleasant (Heaven). Extremes are inherently painful (hell = the two thieves).
One who knows when to stop is forever safe:
Inner/Outer
More/Less
Better/Worse
Yes/No
Being aware of being aware is an open ended possibility.
i look up while listening and bum, i see your peppa pig book mark.....
The Tao that can be explained is not the eternal Tao.
It sounds more like Daoist philosophy. Simplicity.