Welcome to TTT, a newsletter where we rescue and put to practice the ancient wisdom of Taoism - the art of living. If you are not subscribed already, you can do so here.
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In the beginning was the Tao.
All things issue from it;
all things return to it.
To find the origin,
trace back the manifestations.
When you recognize the children
and find the mother,
you will be free of sorrow.
If you close your mind in judgements
and traffic with desires,
your heart will be troubled.
If you keep your mind from judging
and aren't led by the senses,
your heart will find peace.
Seeing into darkness is clarity.
Knowing how to yield is strength.
Use your own light
and return to the source of light.
This is called practicing eternity.
52
Tao Te Ching, a New English Version, copyright ©️ 1988 by Stephen Mitchell, published by HarperCollins. All rights reserved.
Art proves that anyone can think deeply. Movies like Interstellar, novels like Brave New World, Musicals like Hamilton, and Music like Schubert’s “Unfinished” Symphony are universally thought-provoking. No matter where you are on a scale of Lao Tzu to Kim Kardashian, they will cause you to sit back, look into deep space, and wonder. They make you entertain questions, shake your beliefs and take the rug from under you. Masterpieces strike the ancient chord of truth within you… until an Instagram notification shows on your phone and it’s gone.
Everyone can think deeply, but few feel at home with it, and fewer still seek it out. The majority, ordinary people, stay mostly on the shallow end of the pool.
On the surface, where the light hits first; conclusions are always available, good is always easily distinguishable from evil and there is never a shortage of gossip, drama, judgments, and desires. Living here gives a twisted sense of security because, it being so widespread, it makes you feel... normal.
Lao Tzu is encouraging us to spend a little more time in the dark profundities of life. There you will find the sincere I-don’t-know’s, the symphony behind your life events, and the eternity of the present. Seeing into darkness is clarity.
Quote of the Week
“There is no doubt that even the greatest musical geniuses have sometimes worked without inspiration. This guest (inspiration) does not always respond to the first invitation. We must always work, and a self-respecting artist must not fold his hands on the pretext that he is not in the mood. If we wait for the mood, without endeavouring to meet it half-way, we easily become indolent and apathetic. We must be patient, and believe that inspiration will come to those who can master their disinclination.”
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Song Picks of the Week
Yesterday Daft Punk announced their retirement from music, moving them straight to legendary status. Here are some of my favorites:
Instant Crush - Daft Punk
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger - Daft Punk
Around the World - Daft Punk
So this is week 52 apparently… That means I’ve been writing and publishing every Tuesday for a straight year. This might just be the longest-held habit in my life. If you’ve found value in it, I would appreciate you sharing :)
Until next Tuesday,
Daniel