This was the last week studying the Daodejing. We read about 4-5 more passages to wrap things up. Laozi talks a lot about how we are so prideful and focus on making ourselves visible, we brag about our achievements and our pride. Whereas what we should do is try to empty ourselves of all these extra frivolities. The concept of 無, roughly translated as emptiness/nothingness, is a key concept in the study of the Daodejing. What he’s arguing for, especially in Chapter 80, is the need to have less. He argues we need a small country with few people, that we might have wealth but have no need for them. Sweeten the people’s food, give them nice clothes, a a peaceful abode and a relaxed life. The argument overall in the Daodejing is to embrace a simpler life, to not chase material goods, and to cleanse ourselves of all the things that only serve to distract us from becoming united with the Dao. It’s been really compelling studying the Daodejing and I look forward to engaging with more Daoist concepts as we begin to read the Zhuangzi next week!