Posted by giveawayboy on July 31, 2001 at 16:33:54:
Tao Te Ching (The Book of the Way)
: I enjoy reading the Tao -- it might seem funny, but every time I read it, I think of the scripture where Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Life, and the Truth. No man can come to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 - I think). This literally echoes in my head as I read... is that normal?
It is so neat that you say this. John and I have been discussing this. Since I became a Christian I have been rereading the Tao from this perspective. It has opened a whole new realm. The Tao has been my "Bible" for many years. I highly recommend Stephen Mitchell's version. It is beautiful.
I would also like to mention Jonathan Wu's version which is available in a great Shamballah edition. Wu was influenced by Taoist thought his whole life, which he attributes to his later conversion to Christianity. His fine translation is a great companion to Mitchell's and there are also bargain editions available now around the country. There used to be a great Jonathan Wu website, but I'm having trouble locating it for you. In the meantime, you might try searching under his name and words such as Christian Taoist, etc. Also, my panda is named Jonathan Wu.
I also see the Tao as the ultimate symbol of God- the unknowable, unnameable. Check out this web page, http://vaughanj.home.mindspring.com/anthromyth/circle.htm. This is my idea of humankind’s spiritual evolution. I made this about 6 years ago and still think it’s accurate- from my perspective. This is also a fascinating topic for later discussion.
I like this too. I see that most of the religions come up with some disc or wheel of life type symbol. Just look at Hinduism for instance. Or medicine wheels.
: : death and what's beyond
: What's beyond?
To me, even now as a Christian, I think that the Tibetan Buddhists truly know what the after life experience is all about. It's really complicated and I can talk about it with you some time. I believe in reincarnation and karma because I've seen it in my life so vividly. I also believe that if we spend our time healing, mending and being kind and compassionate that we have a chance at getting off the proverbial Wheel and ending the cyclic nature of existence and thereby going to "heaven." This is important because to the Tibetan Buddhists what happens beyond happens in the present as well.
I don't believe in karma and reincarnation as hard doctrines, but I do believe in something like karma, which implies personal spiritual responsibility on the part of the individual. Also, I do believe what the current Dalai Lama said when queried about whether he was the reincarnation of several different people. He said he did not know ultimately but that what was more important was that indeed he was spiritually linked to those people. This was a great answer, shedding light on a greater truth, community. And for Christians we could say he was demonstrating something like the communion of saints. My personal views on reincarnation are evolving (in a similar fashion as my views on ghosts and hauntings)....I no longer just discount the belief and turn my head. I am not responding from a fundamentalist slate here. I still do not believe in reincarnation since I believe that the soul inhabits the body once. However, I do believe that there is an experience of time and space beyond the narrow times we live in, and I do believe in spiritual links beyond this life, so in a sense, I feel that we might have a great sense of the past that can figure greatly into people's beliefs about reincarnation. I am trying to say these words with respect for people on both sides of the reincarnation fence. Please bear with me, a man who still has much to learn.
Bill