Tao, Art and the Artist.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my gratitude to a great number of people none of whom wish me to identify them. Nevertheless, I am indebted to them. A great many friends who have encouraged me to take the time to produce this and my earlier translation. Especially those who have over the years prodded me and kept me on track, my family and of course my dear friend Gilbert, who I will identify. He has always had the beautiful ability to keep me right. For the friend who has helped me by reading the text and making valuable suggestions and changes. I am deeply indebted for all the help I have had. My family have prodded me over the years to share some of what I have learned in my journey along the path of life. This volume, The Tao of Mindfulness, and my earlier, Tao Te Ching an Interpretive Translation, I hope in a  small way do  just that.

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...

78 Mastery. Imagine water as it comes to a part of its course to the sea where it takes a great drop, it spills over the rock faces and crashes down against the rocks then carries on its downward journey. It makes no effort to move anything from its path, where it cannot go directly it simply flows around the obstacle. Over the years it has done this , and , in the process, it has moulded and shaped what seemed like unchangeable boulders. Each particle of water over centuries of time have worked together to bring about this change. Alone a single drop could achieve nothing, together the weak has become the master carving its way towards home. Lao Tzu tells us that just like the water those who are prepared to yield to the strong can become even stronger. That working in harmony and with the Tao, there is nothing that can hold us back from achieving what we have in mind. This being so, it is sad that very few put this into practice. Much time is spent and wasted ...

77 Generosity. Here we become aware of Tao and the words and actions of Lao Tzu at a very personal level. What is given in this chapter is for everybody, nobody is excluded. What could be said for the creative person, would be exactly the same for each and every person.  For those who may be new to Tao and  Taoism, or even Tai Chi, it would be worth taking a moment to give some insight. Taoism believes in an energy force that is within all things, all of nature, the universe and each individual person. In the practice of Tai Chi, a meditative exercise form, the practitioner learns to be aware of the point of balance in every movement, they also in its simplest explanation harness Chi in the centre of their being.  Once centred, this Chi can be channelled from the centre to calm and bring a sense of wellbeing.  There is not enough space in this work to say much more, but further study could easily be carried out. Lao Tzu tells us that t...

76 Pliable. The Tao Te Ching here speaks of life and death, both for humans and plants. It speaks of young and living plants, how they can bend and move, sway with the wind and continue to flourish a bloom. When the plant dies, it becomes hard and rigid, now a strong wind will break it and carry it off like a piece of discarded rubbish. Lao Tzu in his very straightforward and down to earth way, tells us that we humans are very similar. We too at the point of death become hard and rigid lacking any life. What we are being asked to consider here is not about life and death as such, this is merely to make us stop and give full consideration to what is really being said.  It is so easy to become set in our ways, to have a set of rules and a routine and never waiver from it.  The creative cannot escape this criticism, in fact, they find comfort in routine. They are aware that for them doing what worked in the past and sticking to it, is how they...

75 Reliance. The very fact of our humanity means that we are interdependent on one another. We have built up structures of society and become very reliant on one another. Society brings its positives and its negatives.  We have to pay taxes and labour to earn a living. Some will complain about this, feeling that the government takes no account of people, while making sure they look after themselves. Others might feel a sense of anger that not everybody pulls their weight. From time to time a feeling of unrest boils to the surface and people complain and yet feel helpless. Fingers will be pointed this way and that seeking to find a scapegoat, somebody to blame. It is good that we have, over the years, developed a system of society. If it functions well those who have difficulties will be assisted to reach a full and meaningful life where they feel of value and can make a contribution. There are those who without such help would fall into despair. It i...

74 Exit. It would be impossible to have any meaningful look at life, happiness and meaning if we ignored the one certainty of life. That for every one of us there is an exit day. It cannot be avoided or escaped; it comes, in its own time to all. The reality of it means it is something foolish to ignore. There are those who fear the thought and push it to the back of the mind, as if out of mind out of truth. Others accept it, and respond to it, in a positive way. We all age, and with age comes a need to change and adapt. Youth deficiency means that what came very easily in younger days becomes more difficult as the years move on. This does not mean for one moment that we give up on things, rather we learn to adapt and possibly take things at a slower pace.  The creative person who in the past could complete a painting in a certain time may have to take longer to do a similar task. The application of paint may be more difficult as the fingers age and b...

73 Hardships. Everything in life that is considered worthy, makes demands on those who participate.  It is very easy to find a reason to complain, and at some time or other, all are guilty of doing so. Lao Tzu points out that far too often those who are in positions of power look after themselves and those closest to them. This, in turn, brings complaints from the majority.   But that it was all so simple. We live in an age of instant everything, we grow more and more inclined to look for instant answers and instant cures. Pain should be removed from our lives, not tomorrow or the next day but now. It is therefore not surprising that so many, sadly often those with a real sense of talent, cannot face the struggle and persistence it takes to achieve anything of value and worth.  The creative person is aware of the hours of learning and practice that has gone into the production of any work of creativity; they know because such things are well docum...

72 Wonder. We are daily surrounded by the many creations of man,  that should bring a deep sense of wonder when the eye catches sight of them. The seven wonders of the world given their name are but a few. Who can say that they have never sensed this feeling of wonder at one time or another? To behold the works of the great Masters of Art or to read some of the classics and the beautiful and inspiring words of a moving verse. Picasso, moved by the horror of Guernica, produced his work of the same name, even those who find abstract art difficult cannot be failed to be moved at the sight of it. Then there is the wonder and the beauty that surrounds us every day. From the fragile petal of a flowerhead with all its intricate design. The marvel of a butterfly as it catches the light as it flutters past. The artist and poet find the inner being swamped with such glory and find the inspiration required for their art. lao Tzu tells us to beware, "When we lo...

71 Awareness. There are many learned and wise people who have found the awareness in life to know, that no matter how much learning they possess, there is probably more yet to be learned. The wisest creative people are those who have honed their skills to such an extent that it all looks like second nature to them yet are still willing to watch others or read of others that they might continue to grow.  There are those, and we have all at one time or another met them, who think that there is nothing they can be taught, they already know all there is needed to be known. There are those who may indeed be creative , but their creativeness has got stuck in a rut and lost its spark and vigour. They produce works that look or sound very similar to earlier productions from their hands and minds. Lao Tzu warns that thinking like this, feeling clever, with nothing more to learn is an illness. Not recognising this can only mean that they will continue with this i...

70 Perception. Every student at some time or another will have heard the words, " What are your problems? What I am telling you and showing you is easy to comprehend." It seems that this has been said in similar situations for many years for at least six centuries before the year 1 AD. Lao Tzu spoke words very similar when he said, "My teachings are easy to understand. They are also easy to put into practice." They have been spoken by many artists and creative people from then until this very day, and yet many still long to be able to follow in the footsteps of many artists. Many may try, a great many fail and very quickly give up. It is so often simply that they have looked at a moving piece of art or a beautifully written poem or prose.  They have felt deeply moved, felt inspired and perceived that it looked possible to have an attempt themselves. It is possible that perception has misled them , and they have not as learned what Lao Tzu adds ...

69 Contemplation. This chapter is one of those where making a direct reference to the artistic and creative persons and the theme of the chapter is not at first so obvious. Here we find Lao Tzu giving advice and instructions to those who may find themselves leading an army to war.  There are very few if ever any times when a person involved in a creative process will feel that they are heading out to win a war or fight a battle; although there are times when an artist might make comment about attacking a canvas with a real sense of energy and spirit. While watching the artist at work it might look as though that is in fact what they are doing, arms going this way and that, one colour after another in a frenzy of motion. Where the creative person, and for that, all of us, might gain advice from the Tao Te Ching in this passage is in the preparation. For everything we do and desire to do well, there should be a time when before we "attack" the projec...

68 Pacifism The true artist and creative person should be like a pacifist.  Think of the young child, who for the very first time finds itself with a sheet of paper and some beautiful coloured paints or crayons. It matters not whether the paper is on a table or an easel the thought of what they are about to do lights up the face of the child. They may be surrounded by other children each with their sheet of paper and their supply of colours. The child becomes lost in the moment, there is no thought of competing. Each child is about their task. The thought of stealing an idea from the one next to them never enters the head. The child has one thought and one thought only, what will I put on this paper. Each throws themselves into the project, now and again looking at what the other is doing, possibly, like the one further along, laying aside the brush to use a finger. Each using the talents and ideas of the others but each producing on the p...

67 Treasures Most people spend some time looking for a sense of value and happiness, some of us more than others. Those involved in the creative process are in this sense not very different from any other person. Finding a sense of happiness will surely bring great rewards of a positive approach to all that we do. Having a positive sense of value will likewise bring good results to whatever we tackle in life. We all know what we look like in a physical sense, some may even have tackled a self-portrait and become familiar with every freckle and wrinkle we have. Being involved in the creative process encourages us to look not only at our outer self but to look also at the inner person. We become aware of our fears, our strengths and our weaknesses. We know what it is that keeps us going when the going gets tough. In times of stress, this inward look enables us to draw on our resilience and tenacity. The Tao Te Ching takes this a stage further, telling us ...

66 Acceptance. Being successful in life is a wonderful achievement. To have created something that is greatly admired by another, enough to be displayed in their home. To get acclaim within the circles of those who are involved in the same area of the creative process brings a sense of fulfilment and a boost of positive feeling.   All those solitary days and hours are rewarded , and the creative person feels ready to progress and tackle the next project or commission, possibly already the mind is engaged in what this might be.   This can, of course, bring with its dangers that the artistic person must acknowledge and prepare to handle.  How short a step it is from feeling positive and good to feeling boastful and proud. Care must be taken not to look down or talk down to others in our circle of friends or colleagues. It can happen, without even being aware that it is.  Lao Tzu advises, that we learn to live in a true s...

65 Simplicity. How many have been distracted from ever trying to paint a picture or write a poem because from listening to others or watching others they have been led to believe that such things require a person to be gifted in some way?  Everything looks so very complex and complicated. Many words are spoken to engender and maintain this myth of complication. Does the creative person have some kind of ulterior purpose? Does it build up in some way the value or the beauty of the creative work?  There may be many motives for such ideas , but they are not the way of the Tao. Those following Tao, do not complicate things, they keep them simple and straightforward helping others to understand, to learn, and not be afraid to become involved. Those who try to be smart or clever in a show of creativity demean the very thing they try to nourish, their art. Knowing the difference between smart and clever, and simplicity of mind and action is the way of Tao...

64 Be Prepared. Every person who ever was a member of or had any association with Boy Scouts or Girl Guides knew the motto, "Be Prepared." Be ready to face the unexpected, not passively prepared but positively ready to face whatever comes your way. So it is with the creative person in all fields of creativity. All the hours of practice and preparation making ready before tackling any project prepares us for almost everything that might happen during the execution of artwork. The Tao Te Ching almost takes this one tiny step further. Here we are warned against not tackling thing as they arise, not leaving off for a later date something that could be easily done right away. I am sure that every artist knows exactly what is being said and probably everybody else can recall leaving something until later and what might have taken a few minutes taking a lot longer. Attention should be paid to the small things, little problems tackled head-on before they b...

63 Be Calm   Life seems to be lived at a frantic pace, everything has to be done, and everything has to be done now. It was, not so very long ago, that the attention span of a human being was considered to be twenty minutes. Recent figures say that now the attention span of a child is down to fifteen. Teachers have now to prepare lessons keeping this in mind, changing the activity more frequently than before to allow them to hold the students' attention. In sharp contrast, Lao Tzu tells us that nothing good is achieved from rushing around. A simple statistic seems to give some support to this. When the speed limit on motorways was reduced by ten miles an hour there was almost an instant drop in the number of deaths on the roads. We gain so much more when we take life at a slower and simpler pace. How can the mind be fed and inspired by the beauty of life around us, if we are in too much of a rush to see and take it in? How can we learn from one another if we do ...

62 Perseverance. Tao is seen as a wonderful treasure for all both good and bad. It makes no distinction it continues to persevere and support us at all times. We might achieve a feeling of being somebody when another offers us some flattery for what we have created. Such flattery is temporal and fleeting. if we rely on the flattery of others , we will not have what it takes to see us through the down times, the blank moments that all creative people have. At such times, and every artist in all fields have them, the creative has to reach to the inner strength to provide the perseverance it , takes to prepare and to carry on. If we learn of Tao and make a daily effort to live in it we will never feel alone or bereft. Flattery and gifts can only bring temporary peace, Tao offers far more. It brings tenacity and strength, giving the power to hang in there in those dark times, assured that this too shall pass.  The creative person can offer to others their...

61 Togetherness. The greatest of minds, throughout history, have always been aware that no matter how much they have learned, there was always yet more to be learned. Those who probably had the least to learn from others had no pride in where the learning came from. The Tao Te Ching speaks of the gathering of all the rivers in the sea, many becoming one. It also reminds us there are times when it is wise to embrace the Yin of our being. In this state of femininity learning readily takes place, never seeing ourselves better than any other. There is no room for the creative person to become boastful of what has been accomplished. No room to bully those who are still on the journey of learning, rather there should be reaching out, offering the guiding hand,  sharing of knowledge and experience. There should always be a willingness to come together, an open mind to learn from those more experienced and less. We are all on the creative journey, learning at all stag...