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An Analysis of the Tao |
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An Analysis of the Tao "Tao" is usually translated as "way" or "path." It is a void, but is powerful and capable of creating all things. Having said this, there is a sense in which the Tao should not be translated or, for that matter, analyzed or interpreted. This is because The Tao Te Ching tells us that the Tao that can be spoken or told is not the Eternal Tao. It is interesting to note that there are no plurals in Chinese. Consequently, there is no difference between "way" and "ways." Thus, there could be more than one way or path - just as there is more than one way to skin a cat or to get from point A to point B. When a road is built, many things must be taken into consideration. Usually, the shortest distance between two points is not the best way to build the road. Mountains, hills, canyons and other geographical considerations must be taken into account. The same is true of the Tao, where nature is profoundly significant. Qi, the energy found in all things, has its origin in the Tao as do yin and yang. Living harmoniously with nature, we can come to realize the Tao. To do this we balance yin and yang to vitalize our qi. Yin is thought of as yielding, passive, negative, dark, and female. Yang is dynamic, assertive, positive, light, and male. These two forces are opposites but interdependent. Yin transforms to yang and yang to yin. Evidence of this can be seen in the fact that night changes to day, hot to cold and hard to soft. It is cyclical. Yin can be symbolized by the tiger and and yang the dragon. The nucleus of yin is yang and the nucleus of yang is yin. The Tao is the creative force of the universe. All things have their origin and place in the Tao. Since the Tao is dynamic, it is seen as a flowing. If we lead a life in harmony with the Tao, we flow with its current. Contents of available resources |
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