There is a key word in the Chinese version of this text - Chüeh (绝) - that I have come to believe has been under-interpreted. The usual English words used to interpret Chüeh include renounce, abandon, give up, throw away, forget about, banish, get rid of, end, do away with, drop and forswear.

There is a wonderful opportunity to re-read this verse with Chüeh being translated as "interruption". Today's episode is my attempt to strengthen (if possible) the idea of 绝 with what it means to practice a "holy interruption" as a spiritual practice.

The trickster Matt Buys is my quote-reader and question-asker. Audrey Davis is our esteemed artist. Molly Hartwell sings her “Put Your Roots Down.” Fortress Press holds the copyright for quotations from my Tao Te Ching translation. Thanks to you for your attendance in this class on Taoism.May your days begin in peace, and become wombs for radical and "interruptive" hope.

Marc Mullinax - [email protected]