THE VOID

Welcome, traveller. I am "Nameless Wanderer." I invite you to enter my world for a while. Please take from here whatever you wish. I offer to you certain things that have influenced my life.

The ancient followers of the Tao
     were subtle, mysterious, and penetrating.
They were too deep to be fathomed.
All we can do is describe their appearance.
Hesitant, as if crossing a winter stream.
Watchful, as if aware of neighbors on all sides.
Respectful, like a visiting guest.
Yielding, like ice beginning to melt.
Simple, like an uncarved block.
Open, like a valley.
Obscure, like muddy water.

Who else can be still and let the muddy water
     slowly become clear?
Who else can remain at rest and slowly come to life?

Those who hold fast to the Tao
     do not try to fill themselves to the brim.
Because they do not try to be full
     they can be worn out and yet ever new.
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching 15


The Wisdom of the Ancients

The Tao Te Ching (Daodejing)

Tolbert McCarroll translation
Stephen Mitchell translation
John H. McDonald translation

The Hua Hu Ching

The Housebreaker
The Butcher
The Carpenter and the Oak Tree
Knowledge
The Old Man and His Son
Something
The Stonecutter
This and That
The Words of Chief Seattle


Philosophical Wanderings

Member of the Wandering Taoists
Taoism Depot


Document Created: January 1, 1998
Last Updated: October 11, 1999
The Void / UC San Diego / Department of Mathematics / erickson@math.ucsd.edu