Embody The Tao
Lessons from one of the greatest sage in history. What books am I currently reading, and what's the next artpiece I'm working on...
If you’re new around here, welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays - where I share wisdom from history’s greatest minds.
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu is a sacred text. And like many sacred texts, you must re-read it over and over again. The wisdom in the texts unfolds further with each reading, as you’ve become a new person because of the last reading.
Lessons from Lao Tzu
Each breath is a gift, let your gratitude be a melody. Tao is the hidden secret source of all life. Good men recognize that Tao provides for them and therefore they esteem it. Bad men don’t recognise this, but the Tao doesn’t stop providing for them.
Tao is the infinite and mysterious source which transcends language. Tao is beyond words and beyond understanding. Words may be used to speak of it, but they cannot contain it. Tao existed before words and names, before heaven and earth, before the ten thousand things. It is the unlimited father and mother of all limited things.
Tao and wisdom are one. Tao and its many manifestations arise from the same source: subtle wonder within mysterious darkness. This is the beginning of all understanding.
The wise know and love Tao. The greatest virtue is to follow Tao, and only Tao.
Understand that everything is ephemeral and fleeting - like autumn leaves, your relationships, your possessions, and even your very self, are whispers of the wind. Surrender your attachments to become one with Tao. The wise person acts without effort and teaches by quiet example. He accepts things as they come, creates without possessing, nourishes without demanding, accomplishes without taking credit. Because he constantly forgets himself, he is never forgotten
Reject consumerism, embrace wisdom. Conventional people hoard more than they need.
When you find wisdom, wear her as a necklace close to your heart, where her voice can guide you through this life. In living, choose your ground well. In thought, stay deep in the heart. In relationship, be generous. In speaking, hold to truth. In leadership, be organized. In work, do your best, In action, be timely.
Listen to this episode discussing Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, wherever you get your podcasts.
6 Books I’m currently reading/finishing up
Fragments - Heraclitus. I’m exploring Heraclitus’ thoughts alongside some close friends as part of our monthly book study group. If you haven’t read this, read it. Fragments and Tao Te Ching are two sides of the same coin.
The Transcendent Unity of Religions - Frithojof Schoun. I especially found Schoun’s chapter on art, ‘Concerning forms in art’, thought-provoking. It specifically challenged my assumptions on Renaissance art.
Signs & Symbols in Christian Art - George Ferguson. Christian art is filled with symbolism. And symbolism in artwork is crucial in helping initiate viewers into the Infinite. And as I’ve previously argued in ‘Beyond Modern Nihilism’ modern art is empty of symbolism and worsens humanity's meaning crisis.
(Btw, if you know a great book on symbolism in Hindu sacred art, please hit ‘reply’ with the name. I’ll be eternally grateful.)
Mary in Western Art - Timothy Verdon. I'm currently reading this book + two others on Marian art to deepen my understanding of its history, which is informing my next artwork for a church.
Unfortunately, many churches were renovated in the 1970s to help modernize, stripping their interiors of artworks downplaying the sacred. But newer churches built after the 1960s often resemble shopping malls - plain, dry, and cold - prioritizing approachability over aesthetics. So in the rush to modernize, the churches lost sight of the importance of beauty.
Churches, like other sacred spaces, should evoke a sense of awe through beautiful art and architecture. So I’m happy to be working on this piece. And when I complete the artwork I’ll share it with you!
The Upanishads - Anonymous. A must-read. One of the most influential texts in history.
Drawing for Architecture - Léon Krier. Krier is an architect who has influenced the Neotraditional architecture movement. He was made Lead Architect on King Charles III’s Poundbury project (incredible work). I started thinking about the lack of beauty in modern architecture a few years ago (see my short piece here).
Anyway, perhaps it’s just me that feels this way but this book expresses so much truth with few words.
P.S. My latest painting, ‘Transcendence’, is finally complete and will be revealed this month!
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Till next week!