It is true that in the history of human thinking the most fruitful developments take place at those points where two different lines of thought meet. These lines may have their roots in different human cultures, different times, different cultural environments, or different religious traditions.

If they meet; if they are at least so much related to each other that a real interaction can take place, then one may hope that new and interesting developments may follow.

Werner Heisenberg

3.25.2011

TAO 5- Straw Dogs

Heaven and Earth are impartial;
they treat all of creation as straw dogs.
The Master doesn't take sides;
she treats everyone like a straw dog.

The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows;

it is empty, yet has not lost its power.
The more it is used, the more it produces;
the more you talk of it, the less you comprehend.

It is better not to speak of things you do not understand.

The law of thermodynamics stands on its own.  Religious rules, man-made laws, or silly beliefs have no effect- they are straw dogs.  Thermodynamics acts on the energy of the universe without regard to straw dogs.  The law doesn’t care if man wants to change it- that’s not possible.

Lao Tse’s concept of the bellows dates to a time before the realization that air consists of matter.  But matter and energy, being interchangeable, provide the power or engine that drives life.

This is a concept that can be described mathematically, but nearly impossible to understand beyond an emotional response.

No comments:

Post a Comment