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isfaction and dissatisfaction。 In reconciling the dissatisfaction； I find myself with three； four & finally eleven translations； all unsatisfactory in some respect。 My way to restore unity is to read them all and then create my own interpretation … a single interpretation which is totally satisfying to me。
This then； is what you will find on the following pages … my interpretation based upon reading direct translations。 Making no claim for its authenticity； scholarly content or literary style； its single merit is that at this moment it pleases me。 However； not yet attaining sagely enlightenment； my ego would be delighted to discover it was also pleasing to you。
Alan Taplow
Lawrenceville； N。J。
October； 1981。
Some Words
There being a number of Chinese words included repeatedly in the text representing ideas which cannot be succinctly translated； it seemed more appropriate to just use the original word。 Here； I'd like to lend some definition to these words。
All Things … All in and of creation … sometimes called the 〃Ten…Thousand Things〃。 If it exists in heaven or on earth； it is a part of All Things。
Ch'i … Energy； normally circulating energy； the body's life force； that which some would have flowing at and from various chakras。 Ch'i permits： artistic creativity to happen； until such time one becomes aware of it … then it shuts off。 When you're sick； somewhere in your body the Ch'i is restricted。
The Sage … The wise one； a wise and learned one。 The Sage is you the reader； as your natural intuitive self absorbs the Tao into your life and it begins to reflect its teachings。 More than likely； you will not find yourself consciously aware of this happening 。 。 。 rest assured； it is。
Te … Some call it Virtue … but Te is more than what most Westerners think of as virtue。 It has mystical powers … it is all that is powerful and right in the world。 Te is the manifestation of Tao in All Things。
Wu…Wei … Action through non…action。 Some would call it a Laissez Faire attitude。 A quietness； a unique passivity which magically acts to cause a change in events。
Yang and Yin … Yang is the creative force represented as heaven； active； top； bright； good in Western eyes； basically 〃uppers〃。 Yin is the receptive force represented as Earth； passive bottom； dark； evil； in Western eyes； basically 〃downers〃。 Yang is also associated with all thing male and Yin all things female。 While Western frequently attribute a sexual orientation as the prime characteristic of Yang and Yin； in Eastern thought it is just one of the many sets of opposing characteristics described as Yang or Yin。
Tao … Sorry； Folks … You're on your own。 You will soon know that the Tao； while ever present is beyond definition。
1
THE TAO THAT CAN BE TOLD
The true Tao escapes definition；
Likewise； Tao is unburdened by Name。
Heaven and Earth originated unburdened by Name；
However； Name serves well to create All Things。
Unburdened by desire； the essence of Tao unfolds。
With desire； its manifestations alone appear。
The same source serves both essence and manifestation。
While viewed differently； both are characterized by deep mystery。
Deep mystery … wondrous mystery …
A gateway to the very essence of existence。
2
RELATIVENESS
Beauty becomes recognized as beauty；
As its difference from ugliness is seen。
Likewise；
Goodness and love become recognized；
As their difference from evil and hatred is felt。
The Relationship of：
… Being and non…being is known through life and growth。
… Difficult and easy is known through achievement and completion。
… Long and short is known through form and contrast。
… High and low is known through relationship and position。
… Sound and voice is known through amplitude and harmony。
… Front and behind is known through position and sequence。
Thus：
Wu…Wei graces the affairs of the Sage …
Teaching gracefully； Without words。
Receiving all happening as natural；
Without needing to judge or control。
Giving life and animation to all experience
Without needing to dominate。
Accomplishing； Without expecting reward。
In never assuming importance；
When the Sage's work is complete；
It remains； everlastingly。
3
WU…WEI
When neither the meritorious； worthy； gifted nor wise are exalted or rewarded；
Fighting； quarreling and contention become unnecessary。
When treasure； rare objects and belongings are not accumulated； valued and prized；
The rewards of thievery cease to have meaning。
When desirable things are not seen nor displayed；
The hearts of people are not troubled； excited or confused。
The Sage governs himself and leads others by：
… Encouraging the heart to be open and free from desire。
… Providing sustenance for the stomach。
… Calming the will to strive for the sake of striving。
… Strengthening the body。
Thus； keeping all； innocent and free of knowledge and desire；
The Sage discourages the cunning from harmful action。
Wu…Wei …
Action unforced …
Permitting all to just happen；
by itself；
without effort。
4
TAO IS EMPTY
Tho' Tao is empty … its grace is inexhaustible
A deep and unfathomable source；
The ancestor of all there is。
Through the Tao： … Rough edges are smoothed。
… Hard knots are untied。
… Glare of light is softened。
… Busyness of life is tempered。
Tho' hidden deeply … it is ever present。
Its origin ？ … A mystery to me。
It just seems to have been forever。
5
NATURE
Nature is impartial …
While regarding All Things of the universe
as sacred；
Graces them with equality。
Likewise； the Sage is impartial …
While regarding all creatures as sacred；
Graces them with equality。
The universe … a moving bellows … Yin and Yang
always emptying … always full；
Endlessly working … endlessly yielding forth。
Understanding the nature of the universe
by words and by intellect；
Leads to exhaustion。
Hold instead to that intuition which；
Rising from the gut of mankind；
Resembles original nature。
6
SPIRIT OF THE VALLEY
The spirit of the valley is
Empty … Receptive … Eternal。
She is Yin … The Primal Mother。
At her door … the root of heaven and earth；
Which is continuous； without end。
Taking it； using it； drawing upon it；
It serves eternally … without fail。
7
SOFT ACTION
The universe is everlasting。
Not existing for itself； but giving life to all；
It endures forever。
Thus； the Sage …
… Remaining behind and in the background；
Finds himself ahead and in the foreground。
… Staying detached；
Finds himself at one with all。
… Being selfless；
Attains fulfillment。
8
WATERCOURSE WAY
The highest good of mankind； is like water …
… Without competition； gives Life to All Things。
… Flowing； it seeks and dwells in pla