"Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secrets; But always allow yourself to have desires in order to observe its manifestations.
What struck me was this seemed to be about interactions with the mind and it's capacity to attach to things as reality when they aren't, they are fleeting, similar to Buddhist thought. But that also the joy of life is also in the desire.. you have to live and be part of the world yet not get too absorbed in desire that you aren't truly living.
I've never studied the Tao Te Ching so this dialogue is really interesting.. thanks for the musings, you two. Looking forward to the rest.
I also never knew Le Guin wrote commentary on the TTC. I love her writings. I'm just 're reading The Word for World is Forest.
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Ya, I think part of why Taoism has spoken to me so strongly is because it often feels like a cross between Abraham-Hicks & Buddha. Don't be attached to it, don't think that what you see is what there is, but have fun seeing it & playing around with it!
I hadn't heard about UKLG's translation until researching for this article. That woman is ever astounding me :-)