Welcome to the "Wise Ones" in and around Seattle!

Tao Te Ching/Chapter One/ translated by the Organizer----------------------

The Tao that can be spoken of is not the Transcendent Tao.
The identity ( within ) that can be identified ( as the Self ) is not the Transcendent Identity.

The origins of the heavens and the earth ( i.e. the universe ) are “beyond description.”
All the manifold beings which have been produced by Nature are “describable” ( and open to scientific classification ).

Therefore, ever desireless, we can observe the inner mystery;
Ever desiring, we can only observe the outer manifestations.
These two things emerge together but differ in description;
Together, they are referred to as "obscurity."
"Obscurity" following "obscurity";
A gateway to multiple mysteries.

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Chapter One / translated by James Legge (1891)

The Tao that can be trodden is not the enduring and
unchanging Tao. The name that can be named is not the enduring and
unchanging name.

(Conceived of as) having no name, it is the Originator of heaven
and earth; (conceived of as) having a name, it is the Mother of all
things.

Always without desire we must be found,
If its deep mystery we would sound;
But if desire always within us be,
Its outer fringe is all that we shall see.

Under these two aspects, it is really the same;
but as development takes place, it receives the different names.
Together we call them the Mystery.
Where the Mystery is the deepest is the gate of all that is subtle and wonderful.
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Regardless of interpretations, we are called upon to explore and learn how to view the world, evaluating correctly the relationship between the transitory and the transcendent, and to modify our personal affairs and belief system accordingly. If you should want to learn more about this Meetup group, you will find in the [ABOUT] section a short description of what I think is the very heart and soul of philosophical Taoism, as formulated by Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, Lieh Tzu, etal.