The Way

Since I was young I have always felt as though certain video games are true works of art; comparable to a movie or a book – but you get to make every move and be the actor/actress. It can be argued that video games are the most interactive form of story telling…

One of my favorite pieces of literature is the Tao Te Ching – which translates to many things, as transliteration is often difficult, but for the sake of this point let us go with integrity, or the Way and the Path. Before I proceed, please check out Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching transliterated by William H. Mair.

What’s very interesting about the Tao (pronounced Dao) is the wisdom dating back millennial – roughly 530 B.C. (Lao Tzu wiki.) It isn’t about just a way, but rather the Way. Who would have had the foresight thousands of years ago? Observe:

“Now, the more taboos under heaven,
the poorer the people;
The more clever devices people have,
the more confused the state and ruling house;
The more knowledge people have,
the more strange things spring up;
The more legal affairs are given prominence,
the more numerous bandits and thieves…”

Chapter 20 pg.57 of Tao Te Ching translated by William H. Mair

It is traditionally rude, politically incorrect, and taboo to ask someone their income or how much they make; traditionally it isn’t acceptable to talk about money – yet look at the amount of poverty across the world.

Since the initial writing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution there have been nothing but a massive influx of amendments and new laws – yet jails are filled to the brim and you can hardly walk down the street without feeling as if you’re doing something wrong (I hardly speak for everyone, so please forgive me!)

With the rise of what I would call the Technology-Information era there is widespread knowledge at our fingertips, yet look at all the strange and peculiar things that are across the web.

The telephone to the cell-phone to the smart-phone – how “clever” the devices yet observe how confused many of us are. The Tao hits very close to home for me and forever it will astound the masses with its’ wisdom that prevails and is more prevalent now than ever…

“Understanding others is knowledge,
Understanding oneself is enlightenment;
Conquering others is power,
Conquering oneself is strength;
Contentment is wealth,
Forceful conduct is willfulness;
Not losing one’s rightful place is to endure,
To die but not be forgotten is longevity.”

Chapter 77 pg. 33 – Tao Te Ching

This is why I was so fond of Nintendo Switch’s recent re-release of The Way  Remastered. Any piece of work or art that makes reference to the Tao – I’m in! Make your Way to my review of The Way Remastered!