The Dao (Tao) translates to “The Way” and is the flow of the universe and all of creation. It is called Dao for convenience sake.
“I do not know its name. I call it the Way. For the lack of better words I call it great.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 25
Always in Existence
The Dao was in existence before creation.
“I do not know whose child it is. It seems to precede the ancestor of all.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 4
It is changeless, runs in cycles, and has never ending energy.
“There was something that finished chaos, Born before Heaven and Earth. So silent and still! So pure and deep! It stands alone and immutable, Ever-present and inexhaustible.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 25
Created All Things
The Dao created heaven, earth, and all things in existence.
“The nameless is the beginning of Heaven and Earth. The named is the mother of all things.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 1
It brought about the planets, universe, and sky. It has created plants, animals, insects, and creatures both large and small.
“It can be called the mother of the whole world.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 25
The Dao created the one which multiplied to all things in creation.
“The Way gave birth to one. One gave birth to two. Two gave birth to three.
Three gave birth to all things.”Dao De Jing, Chapter 42
The Dao is in All Things
It can be found on earth, in heaven, and in nature. Nothing escapes it. It is in all of creation.
“Man is ruled by Earth. Earth is ruled by Heaven. Heaven is ruled by the Way. The Way is ruled by itself.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 25
Nothing can escape the Dao. It is found everywhere.
“Heaven’s net is very vast. It is sparsely meshed, yet nothing slips through.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 73
Although the Dao is found in all things, it is also hidden. It has no form and can not be seen.
“Its nature is utterly vague and evasive…How deep and obscure!“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 21
“The Way is hidden and nameless.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 41
The Dao includes both existence and non-existence. Both creation and nothingness.
“Above it there is no light, Below it there is no darkness. Endlessness beyond description. It returns to non-existence. It is called the shapeless shape, The substance without form.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 14
The Dao has both physical form and is without form.
“Free from desire you see the mystery. Full of desire you see the manifestations. These two have the same origin but differ in name.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 1
It is so expansive and unknown that it is unfathomable to the human mind.
“Deeply hidden, as if it only might exist.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 4
It is so complex that it can not adequately be described in human language.
“The Way that can be walked is not the eternal Way. The name that can be named is not the eternal name.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 1
True Virtue
The Dao is the source of all virtue and morality.
“So, the Way gives birth to them, Nourishes them, Raises them, Nurtures them, Protects them, Matures them, Takes care of them. It gives birth without seizing, Helps without claim, Fosters without ruling. This is called the profound virtue.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 51
This virtue differs from so-called human morality which is capricious and based on different classes.
“The Way is ever nameless. Though simple and subtle, The world cannot lead it. If princes and kings could follow it, All things would by themselves abide, Heaven and Earth would unite And sweet dew would fall. People would by themselves find harmony, Without being commanded.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 32
Yielding but Achieves
The Dao is yielding, yet it still has accomplished all of creation.
“Cautious, like crossing a river in the winter. Wary, as if surrounded by strangers. Dignified, like a guest. Yielding, like ice about to melt. Simple, like uncarved wood. Open, like a valley. Obscure, like muddy waters.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 15
It never seeks acclaim or authority. It is humble and does not strive for greatness.
“Still it demands no obedience. It demands no honor for what it accomplishes. It clothes and feeds all things without ruling them. It is eternally without desire. So, it can be called small. All things return to it, Although it does not make itself their ruler. So, it can be called great.“
Dao De Jing, Chapter 34
It is always impartial and never biased.
“Heaven’s Way gives no favors. It always remains with good people.”
Dao De Jing, Chapter 79
Conclusion
What is the Dao? It is the natural flow of the universe. It existed before creation and has never ending power. It created all things in existence and nothing can escape it. It has both form and no form, it is creation and nothingness. It is so complex that humans can not understand it or describe it in words. The Dao is the source of true virtue and never seeks authority.
Daoism 