The Tao: to harmonize one's will with Nature

The literal translation of Tao is “way” or “path.” It is associated with a life of simplicity, quietude and harmony, both in relation to the natural world, as well as in our interactions with social/political institutions. The Tao means being attuned to cycles of change; being consciously aware of our place within the web of Life; and acting in the world according to the principles of wu wei – naturalness, ease and spontaneity.

The Tao is the realm that is the source of “the 10,000 things,” i.e. all of manifestation, though it is transcendent of any particular “thing.” To have experiential access to the Tao, in a stable and continuous way - a feat achieved in large part through the practice of Inner Alchemy - is to be an Immortal, a Buddha, an Awakened One. For some the Tao is synonymous with the terms ‘Creator’, ‘Source’, or “God”.

The Tao of ALL

The Way begot one, And the one, two;

Then the two begot three And the three, all else of 10,000 things.

All things are backed by yin and embracing yang And achieve harmony by integrating their energy

So with all things they appear to take loss but benefit

Or receive benefit but lose

What the ancients taught I will also teach

The Tao is the wonder of all things

The Tao of heaven Benefits and does not harm

The Tao of sages Assists and does not contend

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao

The name that can be named is not the eternal name

The nameless is the origin of Heaven and Earth

The named is the mother of a myriad things

Thus, constantly without desire, one observes its essence

Constantly with desire, one observes its manifestations

These two emerge together but differ in name

The unity is said to be the mystery

Mystery of mysteries, the door to all wonders

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

There was something formless and perfect before the universe was born.

It is serene. Empty. Solitary. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternally present.

It is the mother of the universe. For lack of a better name, I call it Tao . . .

It blunts the sharpness, unravels the knots, dims the glare, and mixes the dusts.

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

The Tao is like a well:

Used but never used up. It is like the eternal void: filled with infinite possibilities.

The Great Tao flows everywhere. It may go left or it may turn right.

All things depend on it for life, and it does not turn away from them.

It accomplishes its task, but does not claim credit for it. It clothes and feeds all things, but does not claim to be master over them . . .it is Natural Law.

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

Being and non-being create each other.

Difficult and easy support each other.

Long and short define each other. High and low depend on each other.

Before and after follow each other . . .

The soft overcomes the hard; the gentle overcomes the rigid. Everyone knows this is true, but few can put it into practice.

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom.

Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power . . .

If you want to awaken all of humanity, then awaken all of yourself. . . .

Truly the greatest gift you have to give is that of your own self-transformation.

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

Do not glorify the achievers

So the people will not squabble

Do not treasure goods that are hard to obtain

So the people will not become thieves

Do not show the desired things

So their hearts will not be confused

Let the people have no cunning and no greed

So those who scheme will not dare to meddle

Act without contrivance

And nothing will be beyond control

The Tao is the way of ultimate reality.

The Tao is the way of the world.

The Tao is the way of human life. . . .

Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?

Can you remain unmoving till the right action arises by itself? . . .

If you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Tao.

Stop trying to control.

Let go of fixed plans and concepts, and the world will govern itself.

~~The Tao is the way of ultimate reality. The Tao is the way of the world. The Tao is the way of human life.

Knowing others is wisdom; knowing the self is enlightenment.

Mastering others requires force; mastering the self requires strength;

He who knows he has enough is rich.

Perseverance is a sign of will power. He who stays where he is endures.

To die but not to perish is to be eternally present.

~~To know God is the way of ultimate reality. To know God is the way of the world. To know God is the way of eternal life.

-SIFU