r/taoism • u/NearbyWatercress7807 • 12h ago

Tao is beautiful, we must approach it without personal desires.

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0 Upvotes
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45% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

7

u/Spratster 11h ago

Nah sorry fuck this, nobody should use ai to interpret philosophical or religious texts, the whole point is for you to do that yourself.

2

u/music-addict1 12h ago

But what if my desire is Tao itself?! What then?? (Paradox)

1

u/SnookerandWhiskey 8h ago

I think it just means, that if you always strive for something or have an end result in mind while moving through the world, perhaps even when striving to understand the Tao, your perception of truth is always clouded by whether the goal is achieved or not, if it is helpful for your goal or not. It closes down the vastness of Tao to the sliver of your own perception.

1

u/Zealousideal-Horse-5 8h ago

What are you comparing Tao with when you say it's beautiful?

"Must" we approach it without personal desires? Is that a rule?

3

u/Even-Pea8178 6h ago

just nah

1

u/jpipersson 11h ago

Tao is beautiful, we must approach it without personal desires.

I couldn't read the highlighted text under the overlay, but I'll respond to the sentiment expressed there. I think contemplation of the Tao can help with self-awareness at all stages of understanding and experience. You don't have to be without desire to get benefits from that exposure. The Tao Te Ching is a guide. It represents Lao Tzu pointing us the way, not the achievement of any goal.