Tao, Art and the Artist.

Foreword ''Beauty is no quality in things themselves: It exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; each mind perceives a different beauty.'' David Hume (1711-1776), "Of the Standard of Taste" part I, essay XXIII, p. 229 Thomas Ralph Taylor – my father - was born and brought up in Fife in the years immediately following the Second World War.  It was a difficult childhood.  His father ‘s working life was exhausted by labouring at the local dockyard.  He died before I was born.  But I know he was a thinking man.  My father – Ralph – has narrated many stories of times wandering through the countryside with his father, learning about nature; learning about life. Those thoughts are my grandfather’s legacy.  Though not material, they are a rich legacy.  From the earliest of age, I have observed my father take those teachings to grow in wisdom.  Being wise is not a talent, though ...

A note from the author. Throughout this work, I have given much thought to keeping to my chosen theme of speaking to the creative mind and person. In some places, I have used the term creative as a noun. For some, something that should never occur. I have done so intentionally because I wish, especially in those places to embrace all who are involved in the creative process. When I speak of creative people, I intend to encompass all who in any way are involved in such a process. The list could be almost unending.  From the person who takes up knitting needles, the person who paints, to the one who writes a verse or composes a piece of music. Equally the one who bakes and decorates a cake for a special celebration is working on a commission like any person who takes a chisel and carves a block of marble. I have attempted not to use he/she or she/he but if I have, they can be taken as either on all occasions and the reader should feel free so to do. There ...

Foreword. My life began in a humble home in a little town in Scotland known as Rosyth. Rosyth was not far from the ancient capital of Scotland, Dunfermline where the heart of King Robert the Bruce is interred in Dunfermline Abbey. I went to school both primary and secondary in Rosyth, where I found education and I did not go hand in hand. I found reading and writing not just a chore but a nightmare. Now I would have been diagnosed as dyslexic and would have been given extra help. Then, that was not the case, and I struggled on making slow progress. I took life as I found it, unlike my schoolmates I did not like football or for that matter sport. This was to change in my middle years when I found that I was able to run long distances and began marathon running.  Struggling with academia I found pleasure in long walks with my father, a very unassuming man with a wealth of knowledge about birds and nature. From these times of walking, I discovered that I, like him, ...

81 Complacency. We began this journey looking at words and how many times we use words without much thought or wisdom. It seems we have now come full circle and are back to the use of words. Here Lao Tzu again gives us advice on the use of talk and words and warns us against being complacent. It is never wise to speak without first engaging the brain. When we do, it is often the case that we will speak rashly and cause harm to others.  When we speak it should always be in truth, there is little value in empty words or empty meaningless actions. The truth may not always be what others wish to hear, but it is only the truth that will be of value. Those who are wise have no need to be continually trying to prove that this is the case. There may be a time when debating brings understanding and clarity, but it must not be used just to score points and show cleverness.  Words spoken in a sense of complacency, even from the mouths of scholars can be foolish...

80 Being Settled. In the penultimate chapter of the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu paints a beautiful picture of a village full of happy and contented people. They have what they feel necessary for a calm and happy life. They live quietly and seem genuinely at peace with the world. Life for them did not seem to be a continual hectic rush from one thing to another, instead, they did all that needed to be done each in its own time. They had possessions, but these were put to use only when required. It seemed that they did not amass a hoard of belongings, some that were never put to use. They enjoyed being well dressed but not ostentatiously. They grew cooked and ate good food. Life has changed. Of course, it has but that does not mean that in this picture there is something to be learned. The important lesson of this chapter does not lie in ancient ways, but in the attitudes of the people. If we can centre our lives in the Tao , we can learn to accept things as ...

79 Doing Right There are those who would always have the last word. There almost exists within them the need to be correct and a failure to see the other persons' viewpoint. There are those who not only wish to have the last word, they have a desire, in some way, to hold some power over others and bend them to their will. We have to ask ourselves a simple question. Would you rather produce something that brings pleasure to others or would you rather feel that you have some power in the lives of others? To most, it would seem a very simple question to respond to, but there are many who would choose other than those who live the Tao. Think of a quarrel, a difference of opinion, it has happened and been settled, to all intents and purposes it is a thing of the past and should be forgotten. For some this will, in fact, be a reality, for others, there may still be some lingering resentment.  How would you wish it to be? There can be very little we can...