Chapter 47 – Inner Light

One may know the world without going out of doors.
One may see the Way of Heaven without looking through the windows.
The further one goes, the less one knows.
Therefore the sage knows without going about,
Understands without seeing,
And accomplishes without any action.

 Translation by Wing-Tsit Chan (1963)

This chapter of the Tao Te Ching is really rather amazing.  In one sense, it could be said that Lao Tzu is again telling the reader to “Know Thyself” and to practice wu-wei.  From that starting point, it is only natural to ask what this verse would sound like if it were rendered into English and performed by the Beatles with Indian scales, instruments and musicians.

Fortunately, there is an answer to that question.  The “B” side of the Beatles’ 1968 single

George Harrison

“Lady Madonna” was a George Harrison composition called “Inner Light.”  It was the first song written by George to be included on a Beatles’ single.  The song itself consists of the words from this chapter arranged for Indian instruments and recorded in Mumbai with Indian musicians.  You can hear a version of the song by clicking here.  Listening will give a sense that we should probably all be meditating.

The obvious follow-up question is:  Did Gene Roddenberry know about this?  Well, that, too, has a simple answer. Continue reading →