Tao/ Ying and Yang

What is Tao (Dao)?

Tao is translated literally as 'way,' and is the concept upon which the ancient Chinese philosophy Taoism is based.

I am obliged to begin this short entry by saying that (unfortunately for the reader and knowledge-seeker), by its very nature, tao is undefinable by words. The first line of the Tao Te Ching states "The Tao that can be explained with words is not the Tao."

However this undefinable nature ultimately describes it. One can say it is the primordial essence of life and the Universe- a similar concept to God in Christianity. Ambiguous and omnipresent, it is our actions and experiences; it is the flow of the universe (hence 'way' as a translation); it is the underlying force necessary for balance and harmony in the universe, world, and within each person.


Why Tao/ Ying and Yang for these collages?

I will not be too wordy here- the collages speak for themselves -but I do want their intentions to be properly understood.

They represent the nature and philosophy of each person and couple- their tao if I may -and their sharing of it with the world, whether it be through words of advice, general life knowledge or simply the love they have for one another.

Each is a couple, for life is meant to be shared and it is only through the sharing of life and the supreme loving of one another that we can really accomplish anything. Each couple is a ying, a yang, and one whole. In the end, each couple represents a perfect culmination of their tao.




If you are interested in learning more about Taoism and Chinese philosophy, here's a start:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tao
www.thetao.info
Personal Tao blog

even more.. Tao:Yin & Yang

p.s. the quality and color of some of these photos is not the greatest! sorry


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more..Tao:Yin & Yang

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Tao:Yin & Yang

This is series of postcard-sized collages on recycled cardboard. Found paper, glue, acrylic paint. September 2010.

Some ideas, lyrics, quotes that inspired these:
They are one person/
They are two alone/
They are three together/
They are for each other
"Helplessly Hoping," CSN

Dualities: light/dark, sun/moon, male/female, active/passive

Love and it's ultimate power.

"Tao means path. It signifies not just any path, but the specific path to living in accordance with the unity of the universe."
-Ralph Alan Dale, from introduction to Tao Te Ching


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rien que du bonheur dedicated avec gros bisouilles to Camille