A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 2

The following translation of Verse 2 of the Tao Te Ching was arrived at by employing Jonathan Star's verbatim translation provided at the end of his "Definitive Edition" of the Tao Te Ching. For more information about Star's book and my translation process, please read the blog article, "Process Note: Interpreting the Tao Te Ching." Please compare my translation to one you may have on hand; I think you will find this meta-translation helpful.

Verse 2, The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu

Every manifested unit of consciousness within our Universe is attracted to beauty in all its delightful forms. Each attraction co-creates its own polar opposite--the negative meme of "repulsion."

All recognize virtue whenever it arises as "virtue"--this distinction alone gives rise to the "lack of virtue" meme.

In the same way, "existence" and "non-existence" beget each other in reciprocal interdependence.

Difficult and easy perfectly complement one another,

Long is relative only to short,

High is relative only to low.

A musical note relies upon a voice to sing it just as a voice depends upon having a note to sing.

Front and back, before and after, future and past--self-referential, circular definitions.

This is why those living in tune with the Universal UC deal quietly with the affairs of daily living, administering metaversal principles to do what needs to be done through action rather than words. Every decision is executed appropriately, as needed, without attachment to either recognition or outcome, and once the task is completed, it is forgotten.

Because of this attitude, accomplishments are eternal.

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What I take away from this verse is that all of the memes we deal with in daily living are enmeshed with their polar opposites. In other words, this is a universe of relativities and relationships and whenever we push in one direction, we wind up pulling in the other direction. The Buddha among others said that all suffering is due to attachment. Verse 2 says this is because attachment is fused to its dialectical opposite--repulsion. The Golden Mean advises staying to the middle of dialectics so that neither attraction nor repulsion is activated, as a means of avoiding suffering.

Verse 2 goes a step beyond advising staying centered. It gives the example of the Wise Sage (called by the Simple Explanation "those living in tune with the Universal UC") avoiding memes altogether by doing "what needs to be done through action rather than words." When one's Self UC is fully aligned with the Universal UC's notion of the best course of action for any moment and place, then decisions will seem to come automatically and they will be the best possible response to the situation. There will be no relativistic memes invoked because "thinking" will not be involved with the response. Naturally, since one's Ego was not involved with the decision-making, there is no call or desire for recognition or even attachment to outcome. It was the Universe's call; it's the Universe's score. Except that the Universal UC does not keep egoistic scores, which are limiting and relativistic, as Verse 2 points out; therefore, such accomplishments are eternal.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 31

The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation; also known as the Universal Unit of Consciousness. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 31st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from Jonathan Star's verbatim translation.

Verse 31

Even the finest instruments of war cannot bring good fortune;

All units of consciousness  seem to detest them.

Therefore, one who is aligned with the Universal UC avoids them.

Consciousness prefers the passive, the weak--the "feminine."

War gives preference to the active, the strong, the "masculine."

Instruments of war are the least fortunate of all tools, in opposition to the instruments preferred by the indwelling Lord--the Universal UC.

They should only be used when unavoidably compelled.

Detached restraint is the best policy.

Even in victory there should be no boasting, but rather find beauty in the Universal UC.

Truly, those who find joy in killing others cannot expect to instantiate Heaven on earth!

Joyful events celebrate the feminine;

Sorrow and calamity prefer the masculine.

The second-in-command occupies the masculine position on the left,

The commander-in-chief takes  the place on the right, or feminine side--

An arrangement on par with a funeral rite.

Accordingly, killing others causes all UCs to weep with sorrow.

Victory in battle is, therefore, an opportunity for mourning, and should be treated as one.

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This verse is most obviously about how we should react to war and the slaughter of war. Simply put, killing an "enemy" is only a last resort, one absolutely compelled by circumstances. Even then, victory is never sweet, never an occasion for boasting or celebration. For, according to Verse 31, good cannot come from it. "Heaven on Earth" will not result from war--it's axiomatic.

Secondly, this verse talks a lot about left and right, feminine and masculine. These are references to Yin and Yang, not "women" and "men" per se.  Here's what it says about this polarity: consciousness requires a yin state of mind, whether it be your own personal unit of consciousness or the Universal Unit of Consciousness with which your personal UC longs to be united. To be or become conscious, one must cultivate and dwell in the passive, feminine, yin state; which is to say, "receptive." 

The rising yang is the white area on the left.
The sinking yin is the black area on the right.

War, conflict, and killing are evidence of passionate yang states--the masculine, "active" mode. Verse 31 is advancing the axiom that the mode of being required by war is antithetical to that required by consciousness. Lao Tzu equates beauty and joy with consciousness and being in alignment with the Universal UC. This is why he equates killing with sorrow--because to wield the sword, the gun, or the explosive vest is never the metaversal plan, or "will of God," and will never bring the desired joyful outcome.

Lastly, here's how I interpret the part about the second-in-command occupying the yang position and the commander occupying the yin position: when seeking enlightenment, or alignment with the Universal UC or God's will, your personal UC needs to hold the commander's position in your soul. If your UC is in control, rather than your "little me" mind or your emotional yang passions, you will be in the passive, yin state and able to channel the Universal UC. In that state, it is just fine for the passions and mind to be second-in-command; this is how it should be. When those roles are reversed, as they are for most people whose theatre of action is in the material world, their yang state precludes the receptivity required for enlightenment. Therefore, when, with full consciousness of the tragic consequences, the UC must preside over war, this is an occasion for mourning, as if presiding over a funeral.

Tao te Ching--Verse 62

The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation; also known as the Universal Unit of Consciousness. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 62nd verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from Jonathan Star's verbatim translation.

Pure Consciousness is Ground, from "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Universal Unit of Consciousness, creation's primordial fractal, from "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Verse 62

Pure Conciousness is the single source that flows through all creation.

Enlightened UCs treasure their connection to the Universal UC.

Even those who have lost awareness of this connection are guaranteed protection.

Pleasing words can be bought and sold;

Good deeds earn the respect of others.

Is this any reason to abandon those who have lost their way?

Therefore, when UCs gain enlightenment and become Children of Heaven, and the three ministers are acknowledged,

Rather than clutching priceless gems to the heart and the teams of four horses that follow,

It is better to sit calmly and advance the gift of consciousness.

This is the reason why the ancients treasured the Universal UC--this is why!

Did they not say that those who seek, receive?

That those who have lost their way shall be forgiven?

Therefore, creation holds consciousness most dear.

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The "Simple Explanation" generally chooses the most meta or universally applicable words for its translation of the Tao te Ching. I try to keep the interpretations usable for all units of consciousness, not just humans. This why we say "UCs" when talking about "people," because we may be talking about the consciousness of a single-celled organism or a quark or a flower--"consciousness is consciousness." Rather than translating "sage" or "good man" I choose to say "Enlightened UC," because we may be talking about a Godly rock or mouse as easily as a human.  Likewise, I don't like to say "bad man," but rather "those who have lost awareness," or "those who have lost their way." This is because no matter the scale of fractal replication or hierarchical level of complexity, we are all identical Units of Conciousness, differing only in the layers of accretion that clothe us. Hence, "There but for the grace of God go I." "I" am no different from "you," from a skin cell, from a planet--we are all fractal replications of the original Unit of Consciousness.

Verse 62 appears to be aimed at those UCs who have gained enlightenment, or realization of their status as fractal replications of the Universal Unit of Consciousness. If you are in touch with your UC, if you are seeking metaversal guidance in all that you do, then don't clutch worldly treasures or the approbation of others to your heart, for you may as well be tied to a team of four horses! Rather, sit quietly and lose your egoic self in pure consciousness. 

And let it be known, this verse further admonishes, that heaven smiles on the wicked as well as the just. The Universal UC enfolds, nourishes, and protects all of creation, even those who have lost their way. Therefore, it is the job of enlightened UCs to forgive others, even as the Universal UC forgives. Verse 62 tells us that good words and good deeds are, indeed, pleasing and we respect those that perform them, but this is not what the Universal UC is seeking from us.

The Universal UC is all and only about unity through consciousness.

Depiction of a meditating person "in phase" with their UC.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 18

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 18th verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 18

When metaversal principles are disregarded--

Doctrines of good deeds and self-righteousness emerge, along with clever, scheming minds and accumulations of memes.

This gives rise to a great deal of lying and hypocrisy. 

Consequently, relationships between UCs are no longer harmonious.

Preaching about "Duty and Devotion," "Family Values," and "Us Against Them" gives rise to discord and chaos.

Because of the breakdown of authentic cooperation with others, loyal servants appear.

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This verse of the Tao Te Ching shows how sadly misguided is the human condition. It all begins by not acknowledging, listening to, and enacting the metaversal plan. Once off the beam of truth, look what follows... lying, hypocrisy, discord, and chaos. And the need for a class of do-gooders hired to do what cannot otherwise be accomplished due to lack of cooperation.

It's interesting to note that the first efforts the individualized UCs enact on their own is filled with all good intentions. This is "me" doing my ideas of good deeds with all best intentions. But acting out of one's ego-centered point of view is what gives rise to self-righteousness, according to Verse 18. (I am being good! What is the matter with you!?)

Clever minds, self-promoting schemes, and the accumulation of "knowledge," i.e. your personal meme bundle, follow quickly on the heels of the good intentions.

Once the personalized UC becomes self-righteous and full of its own memes, lying and hypocrisy are the inevitable result. Why? Because we are all flawed, imperfect beings when operating out of ego rather than the leading of the universal UC. And who wants others to know how flawed and imperfect we are? Especially if we are holding ourselves out to be more righteous than they are. Verse 18 says it is, ironically, self-righteousness that drives lying and hypocrisy.

At this point in Verse 18, there is a breakdown of familial and tribal relations within one's own family and tribe. Rules of conduct are imposed rather than authentic. Preaching about tribal "isms" replaces real relations of harmony and cooperation. If there is a breakdown of the parent-child relationship, or between siblings, or husbands and wives, then there's a lot of talk about how important family values are and the importance of duty and shows of devotion. But these are now hollow, rule-bound memes rather than vibrant, living relations. Borders are erected around groups of UCs, labeling "Us" against "Them," because once your primary relationships are no longer distinguished by love, differences between "us" and "them" need to be noted and emphasized, elsewise how are "we" any different than "them"? 

Once true harmony and cooperation have ceased, loyal servants are needed to do the work. These servants can be government workers, social workers, household servants... any job that needs to be done that would not otherwise be done due to people following their own private ambitions rather than instantiating the metaversal plan. And note how Lao Tzu specified "loyal" servants... on the servant's part, disciplined loyalty and following someone else's orders has replaced spontaneous action in the here and now and the freedom to do what needs to be done.

All of these outcomes arise from not being in the here and now and instantiating the metaversal plan.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 51

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 51st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 51

The Metaverse gives life to all things;

the Universal UC nourishes and protects them.

Every one of them materializes the form that best suits their nature, 

and challenging circumstances bring them to maturity and perfection.

Because of this, there is not a single UC that does not worship the Metaverse and treasure the Universal UC.

The Metaverse, honored.

The Universal UC, held dear. Truly, without it being demanded.
Yet constantly they come, each UC of its own accord.

This is why the Metaverse gives life to all things.

The Universal UC nourishes and protects them. 

Raises and ripens them,

nurtures them and educates them.

Shelters them. 

Matures them.

Sustains them and breaks them down.

Gives birth and yet does not claim possession of them.

Helps without expecting payment in return.

Fosters growth yet does not exercise authority.

Called secret, profound, obscure, mysterious, this Universal UC.

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The translation above is based upon the cosmology explored in the Simple Explanation. Star's verbatim translation of "te" is "virtue" or "power." I have translated "te" as "principles of perfection" and "vitality," known as "chit" and "ananda" in Yogic philosophy. In identifying "te" as the Universal UC, I had the womb-like toroidal shape of the Universal UC in mind. Here we can see the undifferentiated unity of the metaverse separated out from the womb of creation where all things become manifest.

from the Simple Explanation article "Diagramming the Ineffable"

Notice that all things arise from this male/female creation principle, where the metaverse (male) supplies the spark of consciousness and organizational principles and the universal UC (female) contains, sustains, and nurtures the offspring.

Furthermore, Verse 51 makes clear that all things are "alive," not only the life forms we recognize. This is why the Simple Explanation treats every thing equally. Every thing is a fractal replication of the original Unit of Consciousness--the Universal UC. Therefore, every thing is an equally conscious being--a UC. The Simple Explanation suggests that what distinguishes one UC from another is its particular expression, which includes such variables as its material localization in time and space (i.e. point of view), its hierarchical organizational level, and its unique meme bundle and karmic record.

from the Simple Explanation article Nested Hierarchies

The depiction of the Divine given in Verse 51 is lovely. Far from being any kind of tyrant forcing mishaps and unfair destinies upon its unwilling subjects, this is a generational force that includes both male and female archetypes, providing every sort of nurturing care to its offspring. Despite its ability to command honor, respect, and devotion as the Great Creator and Sustainer, all UCs are free to honor their Creator spontaneously, in their own way, and free to construct their own destinies.

Process Note: Interpreting the Tao Te Ching

Reading sacred texts often leaves one puzzled. This puzzlement arises two ways--either the reader is not sufficiently spiritually evolved just yet to understand the writing, or the translator has not quite understood the text and translated it erroneously.

Every morning, prior to meditating, my husband and I sit together and read aloud from a variety of sacred manuscripts. These manuscripts always include three different versions of the Tao Te Ching. It is interesting to see how the different translators interpret Lao Tsu so differently.

Oftentimes, some lines in a verse will not make sense to me as translated. Looking to a different translation often clears up the confusion. Now that I have my hands on "The Definitive Edition" of the Tao Te Ching translated by Jonathan Star, I can look up the original pictograms and the multiplicity of possible meanings, and then write out for myself a translation that makes sense to me. I have been progressing thusly through the Tao Te Ching for several years now.

Since coming up with the "Simple Explanation of Absolutely Everything" a year ago, the Tao Te Ching has become much less mysterious to me. This explanatory power proves to me the spiritual utility of the Simple Explanation's cosmological model.

 Here's how I go about translating the Tao Te Ching:  

For every verse in the Tao Te Ching, Star's Verbatim Translation provides the Chinese character, the number of the character's radical, an English transliteration of the character using the Wade-Giles system, and most importantly for my purposes, a list of English equivalents for each character.

So, for example, the first character of Verse 21, k'ung, is translated as "Vast/all-embracing/high[est]/ great/grand/empty/ >surname of Confucius: K'ung Fu Tzu". The second character of Verse 21 is te, "Te/virtue/power }}highest virtue/a man of great virtue/"the natural expression of Power"(Wing)"

Reading the entire stanza of 8 characters for context helped me to choose "Highest virtue" as the Simple Explanation's translation. I used this process for all 71 characters of Verse 21 to come up with the Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching, Verse 21.

Here's a picture of two pages of Verse 27 from the verbatim section:



if you click on the image, you can make it bigger

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 21

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good.

Here is the 21st verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 21

Highest virtue arises through total alignment with the originating source of consciousness.

How to become one with this elusive source? By disregarding everything else.

Oh, so elusive! So very indistinct!

Yet within its dimensionless center, dimensions form.

So uncertain! So intangible!

Yet its middle contains the latent substance of all things.

So profound! Such a mystery!

Housed deep within that mysterious middle--the seed of life is consciousness itself.

The life force within is self-evident. Thus, life itself provides trustworthy evidence of the originating source.

From the first moment until now, the manifestations of consciousness remain ever the same. Thus do we all bear witness to the Creator, the Originator.

This is accordingly how I know the ways of every thing and the origin of all things: by observing what is within me.



For further contemplation, I recommend "A Simple Fractal Model of the Conscious Universe," elsewhere in this blog.

See the Ball, Move the Ball

Here's a meme share coined by Wayne Dyer in his commentary on the Tao Te Ching, Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao.

See the ball, move the ball.

In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball. There is no need to personify an enemy; there is no need to manufacture violent emotions. Simply see the ball; move the ball.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 68

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen. The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In the "Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original universal UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the 68th verse of the Tao Te Ching, which I have translated directly into Simple Explanation terminology from an original verbatim translation by Jonathan Star.

Tao Te Ching, Verse 68

The most skillful military leader is neither violent nor aggressive;

The most skillful soldier never acts out of anger.

The best way to win a battle is to avoid confrontation.

The best way to get the job done is to make sure that others’ needs are met.

This ancient principle is known as “living in harmony” with your fellows.

Living in harmony brings out the best in others.

When you live in perfect harmony with others, you live in perfect harmony with the metaverse.

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In this verse, Lao Tzu describes the metaversal principle of Harmonious Cooperation thusly: all Units of Consciousness have their jobs to do, and the most efficient way for us all to get our jobs done is through cooperation, not competition. Even Generals and soldiers, whose very jobs seem defined by combative non-cooperation, are most successful when they fight not out of anger or violent intent, but dispassionately, solely to "get the job done."

Wayne Dyer says of competition in his commentary on the Tao entitled Change Your Thoughts – Change Your Life: Living the Wisdom of the Tao :
“…cooperate with your opponents by wanting them to play at a high level—the best they’re capable of. Shift your focus from being upset or self-reproaching to the task at hand. See the ball, move the ball, or remain upright and balanced in a martial-arts contest. When anger isn’t a component, your game will go to a new level… So change your thinking about competing to cooperating in all areas of your life, including your work.” p. 324
I like Dyer's meme: "See the ball, move the ball." In other words, there is no opponent, there is no competition, there is no attachment to outcome; there is only the job of moving the ball.

Begging the question: In this game of life, how do you know if the ball needs moving? You will find yourself there and aware in some situation; you will see a ball that needs moving; you will be in an excellent position to move the ball; therefore, it is quite likely your job is to move the ball. That's all. Your primary job is not to harm or crush any other in order to move that ball. If the Universe has some need for the ball to move, it will be moved. The Universe has arranged circumstances to put you there to move the ball. If someone else winds up doing the job instead of you, that's great, too. It doesn't really matter who in particular gets the job done, as long as it gets done. In this manner, we not only cooperate with one another, but we cooperate with the Universe, and the metaversal principles it embodies.

The Problem with Religion

The problem with religion is that too often, ritualized memes have replaced personal communion with the Holy Spirit. Religious doctrine or dogma falls into the category of meme chords. Yet memes obscure access to one's spiritualized Self or governing unit of consciousness. Since it is the Self UC that seeks union with God (the universal UC), beclouding the Self UC with meme chords is the last thing the seeker wants.
Merely surrounding oneself with religious meme chords and performing works out of duty to the meme chords does not grant access to God.
Here's how the Bible puts it in Matthew 7:
21 Not every one that said to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
What does it mean, to "work iniquity"? It means putting your mud's desires ahead of God's will (or the metaversal plan). When a UC puts its own well-meaning-but-limited plan into action, a karmic debt is created. Seekers after God desire absolution from sin/karma/iniquity. Building even more karmic debt out of personal effort is the last thing the seeker wants.
Here's how the Tao Te Ching puts it in Verse 18:
    When the Tao is lost, there is goodness.
    When goodness is lost, there is morality.
    When morality is lost, there is ritual.
    Ritual is the husk of true faith,
    the beginning of chaos.
The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. 

This verse describes ritual's fall from grace. 

The highest state is to be at one with God and God's plan, called herein the Tao. 

When one loses touch with the universal UC, one loses the Tao's information pipeline. But, says Verse 18, even if your UC has lost its way, you still know goodness when you see it, and your heart may still be in the right place.

But, once your heart loses its way, you no longer have true goodness. Morality is what you are left with once love departs. Morality is a system of rules meant to engender Godly behavior in those who no longer know God.

Once morality is lost, empty ritual takes its place. Ritualistic behavior no longer serves to bring one closer to God. At this stage, the Way to God has become replaced by meaningless gestures.

"Ritual is the husk of true faith." Lifeless, dried-up memes have replaced morality, goodness, love, and access to God. Verse 18 declares this state to be chaos, anarchy, entropic, because when the Word of God cannot pass its organizing principles through your UC, the opportunity is lost to accomplish whatever part your UC was to play in making things better. This is the last thing the seeker wants.

Images of Toroids, Images of UCs

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen.

These drawings may help you visualize the Simple Explanation of Absolutely Everything

We can think of this wireframe version of the toroid as the idealized mathematical blueprint imagined by the metaversal consciousness prior to creation. The toroid is a doughnut shape, with a zero-point-sized hole at the middle of the doughnut, between the funnel points.

  

This chalk drawing is the same view as the wireframe toroid.  The inner and outer surface of the doughnut's shell is yellow. We're seeing a cross-section of the inside of the doughnut. The blue is the field contained within the toroidal shape. Try to visualize these images as 3-D, not 2-D. The blue-colored inside of this torus is shaped like a tube--what is pictured as two blue circles are two sides of one blue tube encircling the white star.

Here is a top cutaway view of the toroid, looking down on the zero-point hole at the middle. I chose this color scheme because this is what people "see" when they look out with the "third eye" during meditation. From the top, it looks like a white/gold ring with a blue center and bright light at the middle.

In these chalk drawings, the black background is the formless metaverse. The yellow shell represents the "shape of God's mind" also known as the original unit of consciousness. This shell is not a material object, but a thought vibration. The area represented by the blue field is our material universe. The white center star represents the zero-point middle--called "Here and Now" in the Simple Explanation.

These chalk drawings also represent each and every unit of consciousness (UC) in our universe, as every UC is a perfect echo of the original UC.

It is my belief that this toroid will also be proven to be the mathematic shape taken on by quantum probability clouds as well as the mathematical shape of our observable universe. That it is the shape of our galaxy has only just been demonstrated.

Delivery of autophagosomes to lysosomes along microtubules...in a dividing CHO cell.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching, verses 4 and 48

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen.

The TaoTe Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here are two more verses informed by this simple explanation:

Verse 4, the Mitchell translation 

The Tao is like a well: used but never used up.
It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities.
It is hidden but always present.

I don’t know who gave birth to it. It is older than God.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 4:

The information and principles of organization streaming into our universe arise from an infinite source..

The eternal void is the resting state of the metaverse—pure consciousness without pattern or form but filled with limitless potential.

The metaverse cannot be seen or measured, but it surrounds and informs our universe.

The metaverse is not the same as God—it existed prior to God’s first thought.

Verse 48, the Mitchell translation

In the pursuit of knowledge, every day something is added. In the practice of Tao, every day something is dropped.

Less and less do you need to force things, until finally you arrive at non-action.

When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.

True mastery can be gained by letting things go their own way. It can’t be gained by interfering.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 48:

People believe that the more they know, the better off they and the world will be. However, academic study leads to the acquisition of academic memes, which tend to obscure best solutions. When we drop memes rather than add them, we allow transcendent patterns of organization and information to work through us.
When we make plans and do work according to our limited vision and personal desires, we strain to get things right. Acting only when truly inspired, the metaverse works through us.
When a UC does nothing of its own accord, the metaverse can do exactly what needs to be done.
Best results arise from inspired action. “Letting go and letting God” allows the metaverse to use us in the most efficient manner for the greatest good.

A Simple Explanation of the Tao Te Ching -- Verse 1

Prior to reading this post, please acquaint yourself with "Start Here: A Simple Explanation--Basic Principles" in the column on the right side of the screen.The Tao Te Ching, or Book of the Way, is an ancient Chinese collection of 81 wisdom verses. In “The Simple Explanation” model, the Tao spoken of by Lao Tzu refers to the metaversal information and principles of organization that have informed our universe since the moment before creation. Non-being refers to clearing your personal UC of earthly memes and karma. Non-action refers to allowing the original higher-order UC to direct your personal UC for the greater good. Here is the first verse of the Tao Te Ching, informed by this simple explanation:

Verse 1, the Mitchell translation                                                             
The tao that can be told                                                
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

The unnamable is the eternally real.

Naming is the origin of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery. Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. Darkness within darkness, the gateway to all understanding.

A Simple Explanation of Verse 1
The information and principles of organization imagined in ideal form in the metaverse are more perfect and complete than we can ever articulate.

Pure conscious awareness without time and space exists outside our universe.

Abstract thought on the part of pure consciousness defined creation prior to the Big Bang. In our universe, we are only able to recognize objects and concepts we have named.

When we set down our meme bundles we are freed from personal preference. In that clear state we may perceive the workings of the universal model and our role in it. Remaining attached to our memes obscures the inflowing metaversal patterns and keeps us tethered to our familiar material and relational patterns.

Pure, undifferentiated consciousness dwells in the unformed darkness of the metaverse. The thought patterns that produce light and matter arise out of the metaverse, but the manifestations of these patterns takes place within our universe. The portal into our universe is the gateway to all understanding.


Tao te Ching, Lao Tzu: An Illustrated Journey. Translated by Stephen Mitchell, Harper Collins:New York, 1999.

Personal Note: Acknowledgements

This is an entirely original work, inspired by decades of prayer and meditation upon a variety of sacred and secular texts. Here is a sampling of the books and thinkers that have most influenced me in the past:

• The Holy Bible, various versions

• The Tao Te Ching, various translations and commentaries

• The Bhagavad Gita, translation and commentary by Paramahansa Yogananda

• The Second Coming of Christ, by Paramahansa Yogananda

• The Lazy Man’s Guide to Enlightenment, by Thaddeus Golas

• A number of popular physics books, including Geometry, Relativity, and the 4th Dimension by Rudolf Rucker; Dancing Wu Li Masters by Gary Zukav; and The Tao of Physics by Fritjof Capra

• And assorted works by Carl Jung, Fritz Perls, Baba Ram Dass, Echkart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, Aristotle, Plato, Cicero, and Kenneth Burke

I have also “sat at the feet” of dozens of inspired individuals who did their best to satisfy my insatiable intellectual and spiritual hunger. These teachers came in many guises, from university professors to preachers to my 7th grade homeroom teacher, Mr. Bond.

Lastly, I would like to thank my favorite philosophical sounding boards—my infinitely patient and loving husband, Gary Ropp; and my brothers, David Puett and Dr. Bill Puett, with whom I have shared a lifetime of inquiry, faith, and love.

Cyd Ropp, Ph.D.
November, 2009
Ashland, Oregon