Think in Solitude

Haley Davis standing in a corner by Justin Ireland 

Dec. 31, 2011

45

The greatest perfection seems imperfect,
And yet its use is inexhaustible.
The greatest fullness seems empty,
And yet its use is endless.
The greatest straightness looks like
crookedness.
The greatest skill appears clumsy.
The greatest eloquence sounds like
stammering.
Restlessness overcomes cold,
But calm overcomes heat.
The peaceful and serene
Is the Norm of the World.

TAO TEH CHING, Lao Tzu
translated by John C.H. Wu

a secret

The ROCK

61

A great country is like the lowland toward which all streams flow. It is the Reservoir of all under heaven, the Feminine of the world.

The Feminine always conquers the Masculine by her quietness, by lowering herself through her quietness. 

Hence, if a great country can lower itself before a small country, it will win over the small country; and if a small country can lower itself before a great country, it will win over the great country. The one wins by stooping; the other, by remaining low.

What a great country wants is simply to embrace more people; and what a small country wants is simply to come to serve its patron. Thus, each gets what it wants. But it behooves a great country to lower itself. 

- Lao Tzu, TAO TEH CHING
translated by John C.H. Wu

SUN & WATER

symbol of the sun

15

The ancient adepts of the Tao were subtle and flexible, profound and comprehensive. Their minds were too deep to be fathomed. Because they are unfathomable, One can only describe them vaguely by their appearance. Hesitant like one wading a stream in winter; timid like one afraid of  his neighbors on all sides; cautious and courteous like a guest; yielding like ice on the point of melting; simple like an uncarved block; hollow like a cave; confused like a muddy pool; and yet who else could quietly and gradually evolve from the muddy to the clear? Who else could slowly but steadily move from the inert to the living?

He who keeps the Tao does not want to be full. But precisely because he is never full, he can always remain like a  hidden sprout, and does not rush to early ripening. - Lao Tzu, from TAO TEH CHING translated by John C.H. Wu

Christopher Columbus and other Europeans never discovered or had the capability to grasp, understand or internalize this philosophy until late into the 20th century. It is time to heal in a circular fashion along with our white relatives. - Dawn Wolf, Keeper of Stories 10.4.13

The symbol of the white woman is profoundly embedded within us not as a healing balm, or savior; but as an ideal, and source of envy and unattainability  It has traditionally frustrated creativity and self-expression for women of color, but for white women their angst has been insurmountable and unfair. It would not have been their choice to sit so high upon a pedestal. How could they have been women; creative, engaged women with the restraints their men placed upon them? The 20th century gave some relief.

When the white woman is freed she will become a freedom fighter for other women. - Gregory E. Woods, Keeper of Stories 10.4.13

photo: Sunny Leone

How BEAUTY probes...

dark beauty elegantly attired in white

8

The highest form of goodness is like water. Water knows how to benefit all things without striving with them. It stays in places loathed by all men. Therefore, it comes near the Tao. In choosing your dwelling, know how to keep to the ground. In cultivating your mind, know how to dive in the hidden deeps. In dealing with others, know how to be gentle and kind. In speaking, know how to keep your words. In governing, know how to maintain order. In transacting business, know how to be efficient  In making a move, know how to choose the right moment. If you do not strive with others, you will be free from blame. - Lao Tzu, TAO TEH CHING, translated by John C.H. Wu



Tanushree Dutta

Yamila Diaz 35

Tanushree Dutta