His classic Tao Teh Ching is the subject of this evening's seminar. The questions lead to comments that lead to more questions that lead to more comments. Serenity is the master of restlessness. But it can also be useful, like a bowl. A heated discussion takes place over a passage in which Lao-tzu advocates governing by Emptying the heart of desires, Filling the belly with food, Weakening the ambitions, Toughening the bones.
Students do most of the talking, as is customary here.
The program has 18 students, but the faculty recently voted to expand it. Some of its students, like Michael DiMezza, hold bachelor's degrees from St. John's. In fact, I found that the Hindus are probably the underpinning of the Western tradition. The teaching approach defuses the kind of debate that might take place on other campuses. One does not relinquish critical thinking because one is reading a book in another tradition.