The deepest understanding of philosophy and spirituality can be found in a teachings of triad of great men who all lived in the sixth century B.C.E.: Lao Tzu, born in Ch'u (central China), Pythagoras, born in Samos (Greek island off the coast of Asia Minor), and Buddha, born in Kapilavastu (Nepal).
They probed mathematical, musical, ethical, and philosophical questions that have helped millions on their life journeys and continue to inspire seekers of truth everywhere.
Lao Tzu speaks to the body; Pythagoras speaks to the mind; and Buddha speaks to the heart. By this I mean that Taoism appeals to our practical side: work, sex, biology, and environment; Pythagoreanism appeals to our intellect and sense of aesthetics: mathematics, music, proportion, and harmony; and Buddhism appeals to our sense of compassion and justice: love, service, karma, and peace.
Lao Tzu has been an inspiration for me in several very direct ways. According to the popular legend he worked as head librarian in the imperial court for many years, and I have followed in his footsteps by also working in great libraries. Also like Lao Tzu, there came a time when my contribution lay elsewhere and I have likewise left civilisation for the Western Paradise.
My favourite authors and composers include:
Apollonius of Rhodes, Lucius Apuleius. John Barrow, Jorge Luis Borges, Mikhail Bulgakov, Lewis Carroll, Blaise Cendrars, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jonathan Swift, Frank Tipler, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mark Twain.
J.S. Bach, William Byrd, Francois Couperin, Jacques Duphly, George Friedrich Handel, Henry Purcell, Dominico Scarlatti.
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