Nancy Levine - The Tao of Pug

Copyright 2017 by Nancy Levine First published in 2003 by Viking Studio, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018. Skyhorse Publishing books may be purchased in bulk at special discounts for sales promotion, corporate gifts, fund-raising, or educational purposes. Special editions can also be created to specifications.

For details, contact the Special Sales Department, Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018 or . Skyhorse and Skyhorse Publishing are registered trademarks of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Visit our website at www.skyhorsepublishing.com. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file. Cover design by Jaye Zimet Cover photograph by Nancy Levine Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-1441-0 Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-1445-8 Printed in China For my parents contents Introduction Hello. My name is Wilson the Pug.

Long long ago, around 500 B.C., my greatest great grandfather Pug-tzu was living a simple life in China. Along about the same time, a wise old Chinese philosopher known as Lao-tzu was living in the same small village. One day, Lao-tzu happened upon grandpa Pug-tzu in an open field, of which there were many at the time. Lao-tzu had been puzzling for days over some philosophical questions. When he came upon Pug-tzu, the philosopher put a question to him: Oh little pug-nosed dog, he said, how can this seem true, but that also seem true? Pug-tzu stared at Lao-tzu for a moment, then cocked his head to the side as pugs are wont to do. Of course! Lao-tzu exclaimed.

You are so right, little dog. True sayings seem contradictory. The old man quickly scribbled the insight onto some silk he was carrying, and with this the Tao-te Ching, the ancient Chinese book of wisdom, was born. Lao-tzu and Pug-tzu became fast friends and constant companions. Taking his cues from Pug-tzu, the wise old philosopher transcribed the eternal wisdom of the Tao (pronounced like dow, which rhymes with cow) into the Tao-te Ching. Tao means the way of all life.

Te means the best use of life. And ching means classic text. Everyone has always wondered what inspired Lao-tzu to write the Tao-te Ching. For centuries, its conception has remained shrouded in mystery and speculation. According to the Tao-te Ching, The tao that can be described is not the eternal Tao. Words alone are not enough to capture its spirit.

So while Lao-tzu was busy writing the Tao-te Ching, Pug-tzu embodied the Tao, right down to the tip of his curly tail, and passed its wisdom down from pug to pug to pug. And now Id like to share a little of that wisdom with you. In the pages that follow, I will illustrate the timeless principles of the Tao-te Ching using eighty-one photosthe same number of chapters as in Lao-tsus classic textfrom my very busy life. Each photo is accompanied by a quotation from the Tao-te Ching (with its chapter number in parentheses) along with my own insights and interpretation of the lesson it imparts. Like you, I have many concerns, daily stresses, and conflicts. Some are even a matter of life and death.

On my block alone, theres a German shepherd whod like to churn me into a finely mashed pug paste. How do I cope? you ask. Well, in the words of the Tao-te Ching, To those who are good he treats as good. To those who arent good he also treats as good. This is how he attains true goodness. The Tao reminds me to keep it all in perspective.

So I invite you to suspend what you think you know about scholarly wisdom and talking pugs and go with the flow. As it is written, Renounce knowledge and your problems will end. Wilson the Pug Berkeley, California When people see things as beautiful When people tell me, You are the cutest thing, I dont get too excited. ugliness is created. (2) After all, other people say pugs are ugly. Either way, it doesnt really matter to me.

Cute and ugly are just opposites that people made up. In the Tao, there are no opposites. A pug is a pug is a pug. Im just me, Wilson the Pug. And Im okay with that. (26) Since heavy and light are just more opposites, I am always the ideal weight. (26) Since heavy and light are just more opposites, I am always the ideal weight.

Long and short define each other. (2) See what I mean? More opposites. Long or short, it doesnt matter. Its all good. When people see things as good Sometimes people say, Well, arent you just a little angel! evil is created. (2) Yes, I even help out around the house.

Good or evil, who can really say which is which? When his work is done I chew new life into old shoes. he takes no credit. That is why it will last forever. (2) But with or without my help, these Birkenstocks will last forever, just like the Tao itself. If you abandon yourself to foolishness I admit it, sometimes I like to pretend I am a giant ant. (26) Remembering that I am a role model for my nephew, A-Pug-To-Be-Named-Later, I return to imparting the simple wisdom of the Tao. (26) Remembering that I am a role model for my nephew, A-Pug-To-Be-Named-Later, I return to imparting the simple wisdom of the Tao.

And I never let him catch me wearing my giant ant hat. Some are meant to lead, and others are meant to follow. (29)