the TAO of TATTOOING 38

Foreword

In this series of blog entries I will offer my fledgling, humble interpretations of Lao-Tsu's 81 chapters of the Tao te ching, as it applies to tattooing.  I am in no way attempting to represent myself as a master of Taoist philosophy, however Lao-Tsu's teachings have inspired me for several decades, and I often look to them for inspiration in dealing with the many challenges of my chosen profession.
   I intend to find my way through each of the chapters, and compile them here in my blog until they are complete, at which time I will publish them in book form for my friends and colleagues in tattooing. I hope that my interpretations might assist and inspire my peers, my clients, my friends, to better understand tattooing, and the meaningful impact it has on all of our lives.  And if perhaps these interpretations lead anyone back to the original teachings of Lao-Tsu, well then I will have truly done something to enrich the world.

the TAO of TATTOOING


38

The Master tattooer will work
while lesser tattooers talk.
Quietly fulfilling his responsibilities to his clients
while lesser tattooers lay blame and make excuses.

The Master tattooer produces much,
and his clients will speak well of him.
Lesser tattooers will speak well of themselves,
and produce little.

A foolish tattooer will behave as though he believes
he must follow a certain fashion,
be popular with specific people,
be published in certain circles,
He will claim to detest stereo-types and prejudices,
while simultaneously conforming to a stereo-type
and discriminating against those who do not.
Without internalizing the Tao,
he will grasp at notoriety,
social status,
peer conformity,
competition,
and praise.

The Master does not dwell in shallowness.
Unconcerned with conformity,
he finds his own path.
Acting always with integrity.
Surrendering all illusions.
He internalizes the Tao,
grasps at nothing,
yet has all that he needs.