The Tao Te Ching is interpreted by Jerome to encompass today’s twenty-first-century environment. Jerome writes his adaptation of Lao Tzu’s 81 poems as an exercise of creativity to demonstrate his understanding of the philosopher’s ancient meaning when applied 2,500 years after the original work.

When I started reading the Tao Te Ching a few years ago, I realized it was almost identical to my philosophy that I had evolved over my life’s journey. I studied many translations and interpretations none of which were easily understood without commentaries. I decided to write my own for me. Then it occurred maybe I should let others enjoy my efforts.

Summary

2500 years ago, Lao Tzu, an old master
Left a job as a bureaucrat in a large city
To live in a small rural village
On his journey he wrote a book (ching)
Reflecting on seeing inside himself
The path of the cosmos (tao)
Our universe of matter and energy (yin-yang)
Moves in cycles evolving to greater efficiency
For all interdependent objects
This evolution seems to us humans
As a slow process (wu-wei) so we say
“let nature take its course”
Since we live in communities
There is a natural order (te)
For us social beings to follow
We have to live in peace and harmony
We have to be respectful of each other
We have to be humble and live simply
For us to evolve to greater intelligence
We need to become wise