Earnest, honest, witty, full of great questions -- so, very Hebraic.
I can relate. This Jewish boy, now a senior man and two-thirds a mensch, also went deep into Eastern mysticism, Zen and Buddhism... taught meditation at our yoga studio... the whole bit.
Before my wife's yoga center opened, that space was my advertsing and design business. I'm also a copywriter, fiction dabbler and essayist. So forgive me Daniel, but I'll do what good fellow Jews MUST do -- and make a suggestion...
Great concept, great start, sincere words, but the Substack title, well, kinda messy. It doesn't serve your greater (and admirable) purpose. So simplify! Why not: Ancient Tao, Living Torah -or- The Tao of Torah -or- The Pathless Path: Tao and Torah (you get the picture).
What you have to say is vital, intriguing, heartfelt. Don't confuse or unintentionally dissuade readers with a Substack title that needs explanation. Make it beckoning -- a warm welcome mat.
Thank you for the thoughtful and kind reply, Ken. I hear you on the title suggestion. For now, I think I'm going to keep it as is—something in the mild incomprehensibility of it feels like a mirror to the massive incomprehensibility of life in general—but I can foresee a time when that consideration is overtaken by wanting the clarity you're requesting. In the meantime, I hope you keep reading!
That is beautiful translation of chapter 8, Ken. I also like this translation from Ursula K. Le Guin:
Easy by Nature
True goodness is like water.
Water's good for everything.
It doesn't compete.
It goes right to the low loathsome places, and so finds the way.
For a house, the good thing is level ground.
In thinking,
depth is good.
The good of giving is magnanimity;
of speaking, honesty;
of government, order.
The good of work is skill,
and of action, timing.
No competition,
so no blame.
_____
She also includes this footnote:
A clear stream of water runs through this book, from poem to poem, wearing down the indestructible, finding the way around everything that obstructs the way. Good drinking water.
Earnest, honest, witty, full of great questions -- so, very Hebraic.
I can relate. This Jewish boy, now a senior man and two-thirds a mensch, also went deep into Eastern mysticism, Zen and Buddhism... taught meditation at our yoga studio... the whole bit.
Before my wife's yoga center opened, that space was my advertsing and design business. I'm also a copywriter, fiction dabbler and essayist. So forgive me Daniel, but I'll do what good fellow Jews MUST do -- and make a suggestion...
Great concept, great start, sincere words, but the Substack title, well, kinda messy. It doesn't serve your greater (and admirable) purpose. So simplify! Why not: Ancient Tao, Living Torah -or- The Tao of Torah -or- The Pathless Path: Tao and Torah (you get the picture).
What you have to say is vital, intriguing, heartfelt. Don't confuse or unintentionally dissuade readers with a Substack title that needs explanation. Make it beckoning -- a warm welcome mat.
Om and shalom, Ken
Thank you for the thoughtful and kind reply, Ken. I hear you on the title suggestion. For now, I think I'm going to keep it as is—something in the mild incomprehensibility of it feels like a mirror to the massive incomprehensibility of life in general—but I can foresee a time when that consideration is overtaken by wanting the clarity you're requesting. In the meantime, I hope you keep reading!
you are welcome! health, success and rolling off a log fun times to you.
You cite my favorite chapter in the Tao. I love this version by Stephen Mitchell:
The supreme good is like water, which nourishes all things without trying to.
It is content with the low places that people disdain.
Thus it is like the Tao.
In dwelling, live close to the ground.
In thinking, keep to the simple.
In conflict, be fair and generous.
In work, do what you enjoy.
In family life, be completely present.
When you are content to be simply yourself, and don't compare or compete,
everybody will respect you.
That is beautiful translation of chapter 8, Ken. I also like this translation from Ursula K. Le Guin:
Easy by Nature
True goodness is like water.
Water's good for everything.
It doesn't compete.
It goes right to the low loathsome places, and so finds the way.
For a house, the good thing is level ground.
In thinking,
depth is good.
The good of giving is magnanimity;
of speaking, honesty;
of government, order.
The good of work is skill,
and of action, timing.
No competition,
so no blame.
_____
She also includes this footnote:
A clear stream of water runs through this book, from poem to poem, wearing down the indestructible, finding the way around everything that obstructs the way. Good drinking water.