The Sacred Chao Te Ching

[LMNO]

Hey, what happens if two people are working on the same chapter at the same time?

What gets saved?  The last to click?

[Bu🤠ns]

and feel free to re-write stuff if you think it needs cleanup. If you don't want to modify, add your own translation under an existing translation. We want to get as much of the original nuance as possible, which is difficult when you remap these memes...

Most of our work has been based on the Beck Sanderson translation, but I'm worried about giving that one too much weight. What version do you carry?

i actually own a couple translations..for maximum interpretation. 

[Cramulus]

Hey, what happens if two people are working on the same chapter at the same time?

What gets saved?  The last to click?

They will save in the order that people click Save. The second one will over-write the first, but it's preserved under the History tab. If you notice your work is gone, look at the page history and re-paste your section.

[LMNO]

Cool.  Just did ch14.

Original:

We look at it, and do not see it; it is invisible.
We listen to it, and do not hear it; it is inaudible.
We touch it, and do not feel it; it is intangible.
These three elude our inquiries, and hence merge into one.

Not by its rising, is it bright,
nor by its sinking, is it dark.
Infinite and eternal, it cannot be defined.
It returns to nothingness.
This is the form of the formless, being in non-being.
It is nebulous and elusive.

Meet it, and you do not see its beginning.
Follow it, and you do not see its end.
Stay with the ancient Way
in order to master what is present.
Knowing the primeval beginning is the essence of the Way.


Our Translation:

We cannot see it, for it blinds us.
We cannot hear it, for it deafens us.
We do not know it exists, for we have built it.

If not seen, we forget it is there.
If not remembered, binds our choices.
Even if unnoticed, it is inescapable.
There is neither shape nor form,
But it is as immovable as Iron.

Fight it, and there shall be no victory.
Run from it, and you shall die tired.
So the wise spag moves it,
Brick by brick,
And sees a new sunrise every day.

[Iason Ouabache]

Most of our work has been based on the Beck Sanderson translation, but I'm worried about giving that one too much weight. What version do you carry?

Mitchell translation or GTFO!!!  http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/core9/phalsall/texts/taote-v3.html

I want to help with this but I don't know if I'll have the time today. You guys move too fast for me.

[Cramulus]

Mitchell's was the first translation I read. I have a soft spot for it. 


how could we be working too fast? there's 81 chapters and we're only like 15 in. And we're not going in order. 

also, we'll probably be revising these a lot. Again, we're still in the "first draft" stage. So don't feel like you're getting left behind because LMNO and I have tons of free time at work or something. (although the rest of the day is looking sorta busy for me)


If you've got a favorite chapter, Iason, I'd love to hear your discordian spin on it.

[Bu🤠ns]

lol@lmno's capter six.

My take is that the feminine represents ideas like the Great Mother.  The foundation of existence that supports object.  It refers to the background on which the foreground rests.  The Great Feminine is that universal womb which nourishes form...that apparent separation/space/maya that creates the illusion between subject and object.  When you drop the figure and remember the background you're with the Great Feminine.  It refers to the void before form.  The valleys imply peaks.  The trough of a wave.  IOW, you can't have half a wave, or half a mountain.  Valleys and mountains make each other.  There is wisdom in understanding the background, the space of things.  In terms of the mind, we always seem to be looking out at things, but really we're looking in/out at things. 

edit: the whole: you can change the world (difficult) or you can change your mind (easier ... maybe).

That sort of thing.  

[LMNO]

Chapter 20
Original:

Abandon memorizing, and vexations end.
How much difference is there between yes and no?
How much difference is there between good and evil?
Is what people fear really to be feared?
How very remote the actual occurrence!

The people of the world make merry
as though at a holiday feast or a spring carnival.
I alone am inactive and desireless,
like a new-born baby who cannot yet smile,
unattached, as though homeless.

The people of the world possess more than enough.
I alone seem to have lost all.
I must be a fool, so indiscriminate and nebulous.

Most people seem knowledgeable and bright.
I alone am simple and dull.

Most people see differences and are sharp.
I alone make no distinctions,
seeming aimless, drifting as the sea,
like the wind blowing about, seemingly without destination.

People of the world all have a purpose.
I alone seem impractical and out of place.
I am different from others,
and value drawing sustenance from the Mother.


Our Translation:

Abandon Reality, and Illusions end.
How much difference is there between True and False?
How much difference is there between Order and Disorder?
Is what people Believe really to be believed?
Not fucking likely!

The people know from Right and Wrong,
As if they can see the Universe.
I am unsure, and seek more information.

The people of the world know Sacred from Sinful,
Punishing and praising all around them.
I raise a challenge with "I Don't Know,"
And lay myself down with sleep undisturbed.

Most people have reached a conclusion,
And move on to the next shiny object.
I keep my thoughts alive,
And tucked in my head,
Waiting for the next Observation.

[Iason Ouabache]

You beat me to Chapter 20!!    Fuck it. I'm putting mine in there anyways.

[LMNO]

I am not Attached™ to any of these.  Feel free to edit.

[Bu🤠ns]

Original:

Colors blind the eye.
Sounds deafen the ear.
Flavors numb the taste.
Thoughts weaken the mind.
Desires wither the heart.

The Master observes the world
but trusts his inner vision.
He allows things to come and go.
His heart is open as the sky.
---------------------------------
Chao te spag:

Too much TV clouds the eyes.
Shitty music kills the radio.
Foodies can't appreciate a cracker.
Fantasies provide false hope.
Craving hardens emotion.

The Wise Spag enjoys these things
but remembers to think for himself,
He knows better than to come or go
Because he doesn't whistle while pissing.

[Iason Ouabache]

I am not Attached™ to any of these.  Feel free to edit.

I just added it as an "alternate version".  We can go through later and fight over which versions are better.

[LMNO]

Just finished ch15.

[Bu🤠ns]

47
Without opening your door,
you can open your heart to the world.

Without looking out your window,
you can see the essence of the Tao.

The more you know,
the less you understand.

The Master arrives without leaving,
sees the light without looking,
achieves without doing a thing.



----

You don't need to go to a comedy club to laugh at the world.
Life is still funny even when the joke's on you.

Fuck what you think you know about Chaos.

The wise Spag laughs at her own jokes.
Chuckles at slapstick.
Doesn't give a shit.

[LMNO]

 

When we get to the 40's, we'll have to remember to put that in there.