Our Binary System of Meaning (creation, experience, eternal, verse)

[Runt]

Our vision of reality consists of pairs of complementary opposites that define one another through negation—positive and negative, inner and outer, whole and part, form and emptiness, limited and unlimited, male and female, order and chaos, good and evil, and yin and yang.

If we eliminate one half of the binary pair the other half ceases to have meaning. Similarly, as soon as we conceive of one half of a binary pair, we also simultaneously conceive of its opposite because that which we have conceived has no meaning UNLESS it has an opposite with which to contrast it and thereby define it through the negation of the opposite’s properties.

Yet this binary system of meaning through which we view our universe is purely human in creation and cannot and does not exist without a human mind. As Lao-tzu said, “Naming is the origin of all particular things.” Without our unique perception in which we differentiate between things and name and define them, all particular things cease to exist. They are merely the byproduct of our uniquely limited perception of reality, but are not inherent in reality at all. This means that black and white, big and small, and all other pairs of opposites do not exist except in the human mind.

So what do we have? What is reality really?

Something inconceivable.

Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu tried to describe the reality outside of human perception as the “Tao”. This was a reality that cannot be told, cannot be named, is intangible, infinite, eternal, and undivided. “Look,” he wrote, “and it cannot be seen. Listen, and it cannot be heard. Reach, and it cannot be grasped. Above, it isn’t bright. Below, it isn’t dark. Seamless, unnamable, it returns to the realm of nothing. Form that includes all forms, image without an image, subtle, beyond all comprehension.”

The Tao.

What is amusing to me is that even the Tao, the reality beyond our system of binary pairs, is defined using opposites. Everything that our vision of reality IS, the Tao is not. If our universe is illusion, the Tao is reality. If our universe is divided, the Tao is united. If our universe is described using a system of binary opposites, the Tao is indescribable and beyond this system of binaries.

Yet I just described the indescribable Tao using the system of binary opposites.

It’s one big (and amusing) paradox.

Thoughts?

[Runt]

Our vision of reality consists of pairs of complementary opposites that define one another through negation—positive and negative, inner and outer, whole and part, form and emptiness, limited and unlimited, male and female, order and chaos, good and evil, and yin and yang.

If we eliminate one half of the binary pair the other half ceases to have meaning. Similarly, as soon as we conceive of one half of a binary pair, we also simultaneously conceive of its opposite because that which we have conceived has no meaning UNLESS it has an opposite with which to contrast it and thereby define it through the negation of the opposite’s properties.

Yet this binary system of meaning through which we view our universe is purely human in creation and cannot and does not exist without a human mind. As Lao-tzu said, “Naming is the origin of all particular things.” Without our unique perception in which we differentiate between things and name and define them, all particular things cease to exist. They are merely the byproduct of our uniquely limited perception of reality, but are not inherent in reality at all. This means that black and white, big and small, and all other pairs of opposites do not exist except in the human mind.

So what do we have? What is reality really?

Something inconceivable.

Chinese philosopher Lao-tzu tried to describe the reality outside of human perception as the “Tao”. This was a reality that cannot be told, cannot be named, is intangible, infinite, eternal, and undivided. “Look,” he wrote, “and it cannot be seen. Listen, and it cannot be heard. Reach, and it cannot be grasped. Above, it isn’t bright. Below, it isn’t dark. Seamless, unnamable, it returns to the realm of nothing. Form that includes all forms, image without an image, subtle, beyond all comprehension.”

The Tao.

What is amusing to me is that even the Tao, the reality beyond our system of binary pairs, is defined using opposites. Everything that our vision of reality IS, the Tao is not. If our universe is illusion, the Tao is reality. If our universe is divided, the Tao is united. If our universe is described using a system of binary opposites, the Tao is indescribable and beyond this system of binaries.

Yet I just described the indescribable Tao using the system of binary opposites.

It’s one big (and amusing) paradox.

Thoughts?

[Master Vigil]

The thing is that you "tried" to describe it, but being that you had to describe it using your human logic, you used the binary system. But that doesn't mean that you described it right, you only described what it logically would be to you. But once you get past those words, those opposites, and get past your limited understanding of yourself, you will understand the true nature of the Tao. All things are in paradox, once you understand yourself you will get past this paradox and understand that all words, ideas, and theories cannot help you understand yourself, or the Tao.

[Master Vigil]

The thing is that you "tried" to describe it, but being that you had to describe it using your human logic, you used the binary system. But that doesn't mean that you described it right, you only described what it logically would be to you. But once you get past those words, those opposites, and get past your limited understanding of yourself, you will understand the true nature of the Tao. All things are in paradox, once you understand yourself you will get past this paradox and understand that all words, ideas, and theories cannot help you understand yourself, or the Tao.

[Runt]

See, this is the problem about talking and writing about the Tao... it CANNOT be talked about, because it does not submit to human words which rely upon human concepts which rely upon limited human perception.

Obviously the Tao is something that can only be experienced... we can experience the Tao and understand, but when we return to our Self we cannot describe that experience or what we discovered the Tao truly WAS.

The Tao IS incomprehensible.... but incomprehensible is still a word and the Tao is still beyond words. But at the same time this does not stop the Tao from being incomprehensible...

Words words words!

I wonder if Lao-tzu thought about this when he wrote the Tao Te Ching to describe the Tao...

Ugh... I need to go meditate now!

[Runt]

See, this is the problem about talking and writing about the Tao... it CANNOT be talked about, because it does not submit to human words which rely upon human concepts which rely upon limited human perception.

Obviously the Tao is something that can only be experienced... we can experience the Tao and understand, but when we return to our Self we cannot describe that experience or what we discovered the Tao truly WAS.

The Tao IS incomprehensible.... but incomprehensible is still a word and the Tao is still beyond words. But at the same time this does not stop the Tao from being incomprehensible...

Words words words!

I wonder if Lao-tzu thought about this when he wrote the Tao Te Ching to describe the Tao...

Ugh... I need to go meditate now!

[Master Vigil]

There is a difference between understanding the Tao, and understanding the nature of the Tao. We are able to discuss the natural Tao remember. And of course he thought of that. Why do you think the Tao Te Ching is so short. The key to Taoism is to understand simplicity. Simplicity in words, and ideas. We are able to simplify ourselves enough to be able to discuss about the simple nature of the Tao. Even though we cannot produce the true nature of the Eternal Tao in words, we can understand its differences compared to other metaphysical things and ideas.

[Master Vigil]

There is a difference between understanding the Tao, and understanding the nature of the Tao. We are able to discuss the natural Tao remember. And of course he thought of that. Why do you think the Tao Te Ching is so short. The key to Taoism is to understand simplicity. Simplicity in words, and ideas. We are able to simplify ourselves enough to be able to discuss about the simple nature of the Tao. Even though we cannot produce the true nature of the Eternal Tao in words, we can understand its differences compared to other metaphysical things and ideas.