PDP 5: Te-Tao Ching
Author Bio: It is debated whether the Te-Tao Ching was written by a single person or multiple people, one of these people being Lao-tzu. Not much that is known about Lao-tzu is definitive, because his biography, written in 100 BCE, is discredited. In the biography, it is suggested that Lao-tau is biased against pride because of his insult to Confucius about his vanity. Because the Te-Tao Ching is a philosophical theory, it is entirely the opinion of the author(s). There is very little point of view, omniscient if any, because this text is written as fact.
Date/ Context: In this time period, one needed to be a shaman or be powerful to become enlightened. Lao-tzu proposed that one could be enlightened in their own home by meditating rather than with assistance in a certain place, because Taoism proposed that the Way was in everything. This was a very radical idea at the time. In addition, at this time, there was no singular Chinese language, which is why the Te-Tao Ching has so many interpretations.
Summary: The Tao, or "way" is the way in which the entire universe works. One can understand the Tao by observing it, but it is much more vast than anything that can be seen. The Tao can be seen in two ways; the first is that it can be presented through the physical world, such as landscapes and living creatures, and the second is beyond the physical world, and one has to "detach" from the world to experience this Tao. The Tao presented in the physical world is the 'exterior' Tao, and the one presented beyond the physical world is the 'interior' Tao. Both are distinctly different, but they are always together and equal; one cannot exist without the other.
Key quotation: "The way floats and drifts; / it can go left or right. / It accomplishes its tasks and completes its affairs, and yet for this it is not given a name."
Nicole, after reading the poem, I believe you wrote an excellent summary of the poem. Your post shows that you understood the poem and displayed your understanding. There could have been more detail within the summary, however, it was well written otherwise. Also, your key quotation was wisely chosen as it seems to accurately describe The Tao.
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