What happens when an ancient text survives, but the people and traditions that once explained it are pushed aside?
In this trailer for Living the Tao, Episode 1-193: “The Headless Text,” Taoist Master Mikel Steenrod introduces the problem of the orphaned—or headless—text: words that remain while their original interpretive context disappears.
From misunderstood text messages to Christianity, the rapture, and the Western reception of the Tao Te Ching, the episode explores how old texts can acquire radically new meanings when earlier authorities are removed or discredited.
The larger question is simple: How do you interpret an ancient text honestly when the original speaker can no longer tell you, “That’s not what I meant”?
Listen to the full episode of Living the Tao. Now avaialble on Supercast.
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