Preface

What is the Tao Te Ching?

The Tao Te Ching is a timeless classic written by Lao Tse (about the late 4th century BCE) during the Warring States period (475 BCE to 221 BCE). It is a guide to understanding the universal truth and human behaviour. It reveals the fundamental laws that govern the universe (for example, cause and effect, impermanence) and explores their deep connection to human behaviour and worldly affairs. It serves as a practical guide for living and for the advanced reader it could also be a metaphysical treatise. It encourages individuals to align their behaviour with these cosmic principles, to perceive the world with clarity, seek deeper meaning of existence, and embody wisdom in daily life.

The Tao Te Ching also teaches that “the ultimate truth” is not found in structured institutionalised theological teachings and ritual practices, but rather in living a life in harmony, humility, and natural flow. Through understanding and practicing the Tao, one learns to face life with serenity and purpose, ultimately realizing a fulfilled and meaningful existence.

What is the “Tao”?

In a nutshell, it is an ancient Chinese philosophy advocating “harmonious coexistence modelled through universal laws”. The “Tao” is a generic name which encompasses all the laws governing the operation of the Cosmos. These laws must possess qualities of necessity, universality, constancy, correctness, and independently exist. In other words, the Tao is not a human invention or to be subjected to perception or belief. It is the natural order, unchanging, self-sustaining, and eternally present – for change (impermanence) is constant and causality (cause-and-effect) is ongoing.

The ancients, through empirical observations of cosmic events, established that a grand harmony existed among cosmic bodies regardless of transformation. Furthermore, all phenomena in the universe arise and pass away (emergence and dissolution) as a result of the dynamic interplay of the interdependence and interactive relationships of causes and conditions (“causal interdependent existence”). In short, nothing exists in isolation but everything exists in harmony that is not of an imposed nature.

Thus, to describe the Tao is to speak of something that transcends description (Passage 1, first sentence). It is the source and the process, the stillness and the movement, the origin of all things and the law by which they change. Boldly, it can be thought of as the silent pulse of the cosmos, the unseen current beneath the surface of reality.

What is the relationship between “Tao” and “Te”?

The Tao is boundless and without form. It is metaphysical, imperceptible, yet it permeates all things. For example, in Passage 42, it states that:

“Tao produces One, One produces Two, Two produces Three, and Three produces all things.”

This inductive sequence reflects the Tao’s role as the source for the existence of all things. Yet it is not a static process but follows a cyclical rhythm of emergence and dissolution, governed by the Tao’s natural laws silently guiding the unfolding of the cosmos.

In contrast, Te is the Tao’s manifestation in the material world. While the Tao is formless and abstract, Te is its visible expression. For example, a person’s thoughts, which cannot be seen or heard directly, can be revealed through words and actions. Passage 25 lays out clearly the positioning of human beings in this cosmic chain and how to behave within the grander scheme of things:

“Man follows Earth, Earth follows Cosmos, Cosmos follows Tao, and Tao follows Nature.”

Thus, Tao is the origin, the intangible unseen principle but undeniably has an omnipresence; whereas, Te is its embodiment, the lived virtue of continuously producing positive functions (altruism). Together, they form a complete vision of reality, one that begins in the metaphysical realm and unfolds in the physical realm.

From a contemporary interpretation and in the language of modern science, the Tao may be likened to energy. Like the Tao, energy is formless and omnipresent. According to the Law of Conservation of Energy, energy can neither be created nor destroyed, it can only be transformed from one form to another. This mirrors the Tao’s eternal nature, it is not born, nor does it perish; it simply flows, shifts, and manifests in myriad ways.

Thus, the Tao can be thought of as a metaphysical energy which reveals itself as a positive force by nature through Te, the process of producing beneficial functions to all things in the physical world. This unique nature is given the label “kindness” or “benevolence” or “altruism, etc.”

To explore Tao and to practice it is to awaken to a way of being. It is to perceive the world as a tapestry woven from countless threads of conditional causes and effects (interdependent causality), each contributing to the whole (collective karma). Through this lens, one begins to grasp and experience that living is not a passive acceptance of fate, but an active realignment with the rhythms of expending one’s energy positively to cultivate peace and harmony within the self and with the macrocosm; hence, a positive force for existence.

Therefore, the Tao is both the path and the destination, a way of living that honours the integrity of the universe and a call to experience life with humility, wisdom, and with a profound respect for the natural order through which to achieve lifelong happiness.

Our Goal

The Tao Te Ching has been subject to numerous translations, retranslations and reinterpretations. Like a good theory in science, if it cannot be developed to benefit the public, it remains a theory. The practicing Taoists have the same perspective, if the philosophy cannot be readily understood and put to practice, its value is severely limited.

In Passage 70, Lao Tse clearly pointed out that each passage demonstrates a principle in detail using examples and metaphors to extend the passage to explain another phenomenon. Therefore, a theme has not been suggested for each passage so that the reader will not be bound-in apriori and can draw their own conclusion on the theme of each passage. The goal of this work is to produce a truly decoded text of this beautiful philosophy with the spirit to facilitate easy understanding to support daily living for the layman as it is intended and to foster personal growth.

Here, we take the opportunity to clarify the concept of “Wu Wei” which is generally translated as “non-action”. This translation is best reinforced to read as “Non delusional effortless natural action”, which reflects what it truly means and followed by practicing Taoists. Moreover, throughout the text, the reader is alerted to behaviour such as greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance and suspicion. These are the five sources of conflict which ravage daily life consequently causing human discord with harmony.

It is through the process of aligning with Tao and letting go of societal expectations and ego-driven desires that one can reconnect with one's inner self, calm the mind and find inner peace through the practice of meditation. This can be further enhanced in one's daily living by applying principles found under “Spiritual Cultivation” in the Adages section pertaining to each passage.

Given the current challenges facing the global society, from ecological degradation to social conflict to governance, the ability to achieve harmony in our relationship with ourselves, with each other and the natural world is paramount. We hope that this book will guide you towards that direction.

The ultimate aim of the Tao Te Ching is to provide practical guidelines to facilitate development of a positive mindset to foster profound interconnectedness, paving the way for a more positive, sustainable, harmonised and peaceful future. It serves as a tangible blueprint for the individual to champion one’s well-being, and collectively contribute to a truly better world.

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