Band Name of the Day

09/30/03’s illustrious band:

Chapter 11

Brought to you by the Tao Te Ching, the handbook of Chinese Taoist philosophy and an endless banquet if you’re looking for food for thought. Here’s Chapter 11:

Thirty spokes meet at a nave;
Because of the hole we may use the wheel.
Clay is moulded into a vessel;
Because of the hollow we may use the cup.
Walls are built around a hearth;
Because of the doors we may use the house.
Thus tools come from what exists,
But use from what does not.

Another translation I’ve read sums it up thus: “Make use of the ‘nothing’ within and you shall have the use of the vessel.” Great advice, easy to apply. Here’s a sample:

In martial arts: Keep some space between you and the bad guy.
In cooking: Fluffy, airy souffle is better than flat.
In dentistry: Fill those cavities.
In driving: Your air bag is your friend.
In computing: Back your work up so often you fill your hard drive.
In music: The silences are as important as the notes.
In advertising: Make a few words count.
In life: Fill that empty space in your head with reliable information; fill your heart with love and compassion.

Of course, the Tao Te Ching also cautions, “Those who speak do not know; those who know do not speak.” And here I sit running off at the mouth.

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