The Tao Te Ching

By Edward Lamaide

Today marks the beginning of a series of posts, that will examine the Tao Te Ching and its teachings. The Tao Te Ching was written in China around 500 BC. Comprised of 81 verses, and is attributed to the great sage Lao Tzu.

The Tao Te Ching, is considered by many the wisest book ever written. On the surface it may seem simple, but I encourage you to read each verse several times, and reflect on its meaning, and how it applies to your life. This is the strength of the Tao, to take a simple idea or thought, and let it transform you in profound ways.

A person could easily read the Tao from cover to cover in one afternoon, and be done with it. But it’s true power to transform your life, comes from careful reflection of its teachings.

I recommend at a minimum spending one full day per verse. Notice and become aware of how it relates to you and your life as you go about your day. Letting your own life become a meditation. Many people take longer on each verse, and you may wish to do so as well.

Dr Wayne Dyer for example took four days per verse, over the course of a year and wrote his book, Living The Wisdom Of The Tao.

However you choose to proceed, know that it is a gift that you are giving yourself, and to the world. Allowing these powerful thoughts to change how you perceive the world, and people around you, can change your life forever.

Today we start with verse one of the Tao Te Ching. This verse drills down to the essence of the Tao, and many other teachings throughout the world. It speaks of our true nature, living in a state of presence. Unencumbered by labels, desires and thought.

Verse 1

The Tao that can be told, is not the eternal Tao.

The name that can be named, is not the eternal name.

The way that can be walked, is not the eternal way.

The Tao is both, named and nameless.

As nameless, it is the origin of all things.

As named, it is the mother of all things.

Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.

Ever desiring, one only sees the manifestations.

The mystery itself, is the doorway to all understanding.

It is the truth beyond the truth.

The hidden within the hidden.