THE TAO

The Tao (or Dao) is the fundamental, indescribable "Way" or source of the universe, representing the natural, effortless flow of existence, the order of nature, and the path to harmony.

KEY CONCEPTS OF THE TAO

The Way: The literal translation, representing the natural, unforced course of the universe and life.

Source of All: The ultimate origin of everything, from which all existence arises.

Beyond Definition: The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao; it's beyond human language and concepts.

Harmony: Living in alignment with the Tao means living naturally, without striving or resistance, much like water flows.

CORE TAOIST PRINCIPALS

Wu Wei (Non-Action): Acting spontaneously and effortlessly, going with the flow rather than forcing outcomes.

Simplicity: Returning to a natural, simple state, free from artificial desires and societal pressures.

Balance (Yin and Yang): Recognizing the Koointerplay of complementary opposites (like dark/light, passive/active) as essential to the whole.

HOW TO APPROACH THE TAO

Experience, Don't Define: Focus on feeling and living the Tao rather than trying to intellectually grasp it.

Mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment, the space between thoughts, and the natural rhythms of life.

Letting Go: Release attachment to outcomes, possessions, and rigid ideas to find peace.

The Tao is often explored through the foundational text, the Tao Te Ching, attributed to Lao Tzu, which uses paradox and poetic language to guide individuals toward understanding this universal principle.

- From Google search

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HEAVEN, EARTH AND THE TAO

I CHING - Book of Changes

“Man follows Earth, Earth follows Heaven. Heaven follows the Tao. Yet the Tao follows Nature. Tao produced one. One produced two. Two produced Three. Three produced ten thousand beings. Ten thousand beings carry yin and embrace yang; By blending their energies they achieve harmony. Therefore existence and nonexistence produce each other. Difficulty and ease complement each other. Long and short contrast with each other. High and low rely on each other. Sound and voice harmonize with each other. Front and back follow each other. The Tao fulfills its purpose quietly and makes no claim. When success is achieved, withdrawing. The highest good is like water. Water benefits ten thousand beings, Yet it does not contend. Nothing under Heaven is as soft and yielding as water. Yet in attacking the firm and strong, Nothing is better than water.”

― quote from The I Ching or Book of Changes

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Good doesn't come without the bad, or success without trying. Positive and negative complement each other and cancel each other out, toward balance. Every action has an equal and opposite. As above, so below. All attending to the Tao.

Picture:

I CHING: KUA. The eight Kua, trigrams from the I Ching