Reddit mentions of The Taoist Classics, Volume One: The Collected Translations of Thomas Cleary

My translation reads:

>This is why sages say

>those who can take on the disgrace of nations

>are leaders of the lands;

>those who can take on the misfortune of nations

>are rulers of the world.

>True sayings seem paradoxical.

Edit: Source

As far as interpretation goes, be humble and flexible, and don't try and force yourself to always appear great. Simply go with the flow and be humble and you will achieve greatness. This seems wrong, because our society encourages competitively getting yourself out there and showing everyone how great you are and not making/admitting to mistakes, but this is not the way.

This weekend strengthened my resolve to learn and practice more. It was primal, chaotic, unpretentious, joyful, hilarious, weird, wonderful, shamanic, practical, scientific, balanced, mystical, intense and fucking hard work :) Can't ask for much more than that.

That's a great looking list of spiritual area/topics. I'm glad you added quantum mechanics to the list. I believe that's where it all started for me a few years ago. That, hypnobirthing classes with the Mrs and watching DMT; The Spirit Molecule. I haven't looked much into Zen Buddhism (had my eye on Watts' book). Can you recommend any good books on Zen and on shamanism? I Also keep threatening to read more western philosophy but I keep putting it off. I kind of equate it to reading about Christianity - almost as though the ideas are so ingrained into western culture that I feel the need to stay away.

> "because I'm not a joiner"

Ha! Like that.

In terms of Chuang Tzu I've got my eye on this which includes The "Inner Teachings". The whole Taoist Classics series looks amazing. Have you read any of Cleary's work?